Celebrate the festive spirit of Saint Barbara’s Day with these traditional Lebanese cookies infused with warm, aromatic flavors! Saint Barbara Cookies are delicately spiced with anise, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and enriched with the floral essence of orange blossom water. Made with olive oil for a tender crumb, these cookies are lightly sweetened and can be topped with sesame seeds for a delightful crunch. Shaped into charming spirals, braids, or circles, they are a visual and flavorful treat perfect for celebrations or as an everyday snack. Quick to prepare and oven-baked to golden perfection, these cookies are a symbol of tradition and hospitality. Perfectly paired with tea or coffee, they are sure to become a staple in your holiday baking repertoire.
Scan with your phone to download!
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, anise seeds, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Mix the dry ingredients well to ensure even distribution.
Slowly pour in the olive oil and use your hands or a spatula to combine it with the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add the orange blossom water and milk to the mixture. Knead gently to form a soft, pliable dough. If the dough feels too dry, add a small splash of milk, a tablespoon at a time.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a clean, lightly floured surface, divide the dough into small balls about the size of a walnut. Roll each ball into a rope about 4-5 inches long and form them into your desired shape: spirals, braids, or simple circles.
If using sesame seeds, lightly press the top of each cookie into the seeds to coat.
Place the shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and firm to the touch.
Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before serving. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Serving size | (1087.5g) |
---|
Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
---|---|
Calories | 5051.8 |
Total Fat 271.2g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 41.6g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 21.3g | |
Cholesterol 5.5mg | 0% |
Sodium 495.3mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 595.0g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber 25.1g | 0% |
Total Sugars 205.0g | |
Protein 66.8g | 0% |
Vitamin D 26.8IU | 0% |
Calcium 983.9mg | 0% |
Iron 37.1mg | 0% |
Potassium 1066.4mg | 0% |
Source of Calories