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5.0 from 6 votes

How to Make Butter Cookies

Ghorayebah, or Butter Cookies from Egypt, are a delicious and simple cookie recipe that you will love. These cookies are made with Ghee and are so tender that they will LITERALLY melt in your mouth. Top them with pistachios or almonds or eat them plain. Either way, you’ll love them!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
20 mins
Total Time
47 mins
Servings: 35 cookies
Calories: 78 kcal
Course: Dessert , Baked Goods
Cuisine: Egyptian

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ghee
  • ½ cup powdered sugar sifted
  • ⅛ tsp baking powder
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
  • pistachios

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the ghee on a medium speed until it gets light and fluffy and looks whipped.
  2. Sift the powdered sugar into the ghee and use your hand mixer to beat again on medium speed until it looks light and fluffy.
  3. Add the baking powder, then add 1 cup of flour. Knead the dough with your hands until the dough comes together and is completely combined. Then add another cup of flour and knead again. The dough will be very soft.
  4. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes (or longer).
  5. When the dough has finished refrigerating, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  6. Remove the dough from the fridge and form the cookies into small balls, a bit smaller than a golf ball, and place them on the cookie sheet. Use the palm of your hand to LIGHTLY press down on the cookie. Add a pistachio on top if you’d like.
  7. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until the cookies firm up. Allow them to rest on the baking sheet until cooled before transferring them to another plate. Then, sprinkle powdered sugar on top and enjoy!

Notes

  • Recipe from The Mediterranean Dish.
  • Make sure to use a ghee that is not melted while at room temperature. You should look for a “highly clarified” brand. 
  •  
  • Make sure to use powdered sugar. If you do not have powdered sugar, you can blend granulated sugar in a blender until it becomes powdered.
  • I use all-purpose flour for this recipe
  • You can substitute unsalted butter for the Ghee if you’d like, however it will change the flavor and texture of the cookie significantly. So much so, in fact, that it wouldn’t be considered Ghorayebah anymore. Stick to clarified butter if you can! 
  • I added pistachios on top of the cookies, but you can also add almonds or any other nut that you think would be delicious 
  • If you can’t find ghee and want to make it yourself, visit this recipe for
  • Nitter Kibbeh from Djibouti
  • . Follow the instructions without adding anything but the butter and you will have ghee!
  • Ghee: Make sure to use a ghee that is not melted while at room temperature. You should look for a “highly clarified” brand. 
  • Sugar: Make sure to use powdered sugar. If you do not have powdered sugar, you can blend granulated sugar in a blender until it becomes powdered.
  • Flour: I use all-purpose flour for this recipeYou can substitute unsalted butter for the Ghee if you’d like, however it will change the flavor and texture of the cookie significantly. So much so, in fact, that it wouldn’t be considered Ghorayebah anymore. Stick to clarified butter if you can! 
  • I added pistachios on top of the cookies, but you can also add almonds or any other nut that you think would be delicious 
  • If you can’t find ghee and want to make it yourself, visit this recipe for Nitter Kibbeh from Djibouti. Follow the instructions without adding anything but the butter and you will have ghee!

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 78kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 7g (2%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 13mg (4%) Sodium 2mg (0%) Potassium 8mg (0%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Calcium 2mg (0%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 35cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 78

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 78kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 7g 2%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 13mg 4%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Potassium 8mg 0%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%
Calcium 2mg 0%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.