Kaak

Name: Kaak
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Libyan
Ingredients: 3 cups flour; 1/2 cup melted butter; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 1/3 cup sugar; 1 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp anise seeds, ground; 1/2 tsp mahlab (optional); Pinch of salt; Warm water to bind; 1 cup sesame seeds for coating; 1 egg for egg wash

كعك (KAHK)

Libyan Sesame Ring Cookies

⏱ Prep Time 45 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 180 kcal

Crisp, ring-shaped cookies coated in sesame seeds with a subtle anise flavor. These traditional Libyan tea cookies are the perfect crunchy companion to a glass of sweet mint tea.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 3.0g

Carbs 24.0g

Fat 8.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten ⚠ sesame ⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

mixing bowl baking sheet shallow plate

Presentation Guide

Vessel: cookie platter

Garnishes: sesame seeds

Accompaniments: Libyan mint tea

Ingredients

3 cups flour
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp anise seeds, ground
1/2 tsp mahlab (optional)
Pinch of salt
Warm water to bind
1 cup sesame seeds for coating
1 egg for egg wash

Instructions

1
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, ground anise, mahlab, and salt in a bowl.
2
Add melted butter and oil, rubbing into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.
3
Add warm water gradually until a firm, smooth dough forms. Rest 10 minutes.
4
Pinch off walnut-sized pieces, roll into ropes about 12cm long, and join ends to form rings.
5
Brush with egg wash and roll in sesame seeds until fully coated on all sides.
6
Bake at 180C for 18-20 minutes until golden and firm. Cool completely before serving.

💡

Did You Know?

Libyan kaak are baked in such enormous batches during holidays that families store them in pillowcases, and they stay crisp for weeks.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

mixing bowl
baking sheet
shallow plate

Garnishing

sesame seeds

Accompaniments

Libyan mint tea

The Story Behind Kaak

Kaak are among the most ancient cookie traditions in the Mediterranean and North African world. In Libya, these sesame-crusted rings are inseparable from tea culture, always present in the cookie jar and offered to every guest who crosses the threshold. The anise flavor distinguishes Libyan kaak from other regional versions, and the sesame coating provides both flavor and a satisfying crunch. During Eid and other holidays, industrial quantities are baked and distributed to neighbors, reinforcing community bonds.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed tea time, holidays, everyday snack 📜 Origins: Ancient Mediterranean

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