Karabij: a cookie from the Middle East

Karabij is a popular Middle Eastern cookie served with Natef. Natef is a special white cream used for dipping with Karabij.

Karabij is a member of the Middle Eastern biscuit family, which itself is a class of Arabian sweets. It is a cookie made with semolina dough, which makes it very delicate and easy to break. It is baked, and it is abundant in pistachios.

While other Middle Eastern cookies like Mamoul and Mamoul-Mad are filled with many kinds of nuts, such as pistachios and walnuts in addition to dates, Karabij, on the other hand, is always filled with only pistachios. Although it is perfectly possible to use a walnut or date filling with Karabij cookies, it has been customary not to do so and only use pistachio filling with Karabij.

Karabij are essentially small Mamoul cookies filled with pistachios. They share the same ingredients as Mamoul and are prepared and baked in the same way. However, the Karabij are usually smaller than the Mamoul because they are meant to be submerged in Natef. Although Mamoul is made in different sizes, Karabij is always made in a small longitudinal shape that is easy to use for dipping.

Karabij are great for those who like to immerse themselves. It is a favorite dessert to eat while watching a movie, for example. It is much healthier than chips or chocolate as it contains healthy pistachios.

Karabij are popular in Arab countries. Their popularity did not spread much to the Western world because they are closely associated with the Lebanese white cream Natef, which is not popular in the Western world.

Karabij are small in size and one can eat a couple of dozen of them without realizing it. They are generally high in calories, just like any other cookie, so people should watch how many they eat.

These small cookies are considered to be in the same category as Mamoul, Mamoul-Mad and Ghraybeh, which belong to the Middle Eastern class of cookies. However, while Ghraybeh is a sugar cookie, the rest are semolina-based cookies filled with nuts like pistachio and walnuts, and also dates.

Middle Eastern cookies are especially consumed during holidays and celebrations in the Middle East and Arab countries. They are also the preferred gift during religious holidays and celebrations.

In short, Karabij are Middle Eastern cookies dipped exclusively in Natef white cream and offered as a dessert.