Tcharak
Tcharak el Ariane (tchah-RAHK)
Algerian Crescent Almond Cookies
Crescent-shaped pastries filled with an almond-sugar paste, baked until barely golden, then dipped in orange blossom water and rolled in powdered sugar. These elegant Algerian cookies melt on the tongue.
Nutrition & Info
Allergen Warnings
Equipment Needed
Presentation Guide
Instructions
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1
Make the dough by combining flour and salt in a bowl. Add melted butter and 2 tablespoons orange blossom water, mixing until a smooth, pliable dough forms. It should not be sticky. Cover and rest for 20 minutes.
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2
Prepare the almond filling by mixing ground almonds, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, cinnamon, egg white, and 2 tablespoons orange blossom water in a bowl until a firm, moldable paste forms. It should hold together when squeezed.
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3
Take walnut-sized pieces of almond paste and roll each into a small cylinder about 5cm long with tapered ends, forming a crescent shape. Prepare all the almond crescents before wrapping in dough.
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4
Pinch off slightly larger pieces of dough and flatten each into an oval about 3mm thick. Place an almond crescent in the center, fold the dough over, and seal the edges, maintaining the crescent shape. The dough should be thin and even.
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5
Place the formed crescents on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 175°C (350°F) for 12-15 minutes until the dough is just set and barely golden. The cookies should not brown significantly.
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6
While still warm, briefly dip each cookie in orange blossom water, then roll immediately in powdered sugar, coating generously on all sides. The warmth of the cookies helps the sugar adhere.
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7
Let the coated cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Apply a second coating of powdered sugar once cooled for an extra-thick, snowy white exterior. Store in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper.
Did You Know?
Tcharak is so revered in Algeria that a box of these cookies is considered an appropriate gift for formal visits, business meetings, and engagements. The crescent shape echoes the Islamic crescent moon.
Chef's Notes
Equipment Tips
- baking sheet
- food processor
- mixing bowl
Garnishing
powdered sugar
Accompaniments
mint tea, coffee
The Story Behind Tcharak
Tcharak represents the pinnacle of Algerian pastry-making art, requiring patience and skill to achieve the perfect crescent shape and delicate texture.
These cookies are central to Algerian celebrations, particularly during Eid and wedding festivities. Women traditionally prepare large batches together in the days before celebrations, turning the preparation into a social event.
Today tcharak is available in upscale Algerian patisseries year-round but retains its special status as a celebration cookie, often beautifully presented in decorative boxes.
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