Khabees

Name: Khabees
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Bahraini
Ingredients: 2 cups wheat flour; 1/2 cup ghee; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup water; 1/4 tsp saffron threads; 1/2 tsp ground cardamom; 2 tbsp rose water; Crushed pistachios for garnish; Dates for serving

خبيص (khah-BEES)

Toasted Flour Sweet

⏱ Prep Time 25 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 354 kcal

A rich, fudgy sweet made from toasted wheat flour cooked with ghee, sugar, saffron, and cardamom until it forms a dense, aromatic confection. This traditional Bahraini dessert is pure indulgence.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 4.0g

Carbs 44.0g

Fat 18.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten ⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

heavy skillet wooden spoon serving plate

Presentation Guide

Vessel: flat serving plate

Garnishes: crushed pistachios, saffron threads

Accompaniments: Arabic coffee, dates

Ingredients

2 cups wheat flour
1/2 cup ghee
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1/4 tsp saffron threads
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
2 tbsp rose water
Crushed pistachios for garnish
Dates for serving

Instructions

1
Toast wheat flour in a dry heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly for 10 minutes until deep golden and nutty-smelling.
2
Add ghee to the toasted flour and stir continuously until the mixture is evenly combined and fragrant.
3
In a separate pot, dissolve sugar in water with saffron and cardamom. Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 minutes.
4
Gradually pour the hot sugar syrup into the flour mixture, stirring vigorously to prevent lumps from forming.
5
Continue cooking and stirring over low heat for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the pan.
6
Spread onto a serving plate, garnish with crushed pistachios, and serve warm alongside dates and Arabic coffee.

💡

Did You Know?

In old Bahrain, khabees was the first sweet a new bride would prepare for her husband's family to demonstrate her cooking skills.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

heavy skillet
wooden spoon
serving plate

Garnishing

crushed pistachios, saffron threads

Accompaniments

Arabic coffee, dates

The Story Behind Khabees

Khabees is one of the oldest sweets in Arabian cuisine, requiring nothing more than flour, fat, and sugar — ingredients available even in the harshest desert conditions. In Bahrain, khabees has been served at celebrations and religious occasions for centuries, its rich saffron-golden color symbolizing prosperity and joy. The technique of toasting flour before cooking it with fat and sugar creates a deep, nutty flavor profile that modern confections struggle to replicate.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed dessert, eid, celebrations 📜 Origins: Ancient Arabian

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