Desserts
ChefDalida Zaiter
Turmeric Kaak (Kaak al-Aqda al-Safra)
Turmeric kaak (also called al-marqad) — a popular, much-loved traditional kaak. Methods vary regionally and by cook, but it’s consistently a favorite. Try it!
Turmeric kaak (Kaak al-Aqda al-Safra) — one of the most beloved traditional kaak recipes. Don’t miss it.
Ingredients
Start here, then move straight into the method.
- 1 kg all-purpose flour
- 1/2 kg fine semolina
- 1/2 kg melted ghee or butter
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon yeast
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons kaak spice mix*
- 1 teaspoon powdered mahaleb (mahlab)
- Pinch of salt
- Anise to taste
- 1 cup liquid milk
- or
- 1 cup powdered milk plus about 1 cup water, or as needed
- 1 teaspoon turmeric (or "akda safra")
- 1 1/2 cups shredded or grated coconut — optional
- Sesame for garnish — optional
- For more of Dalida’s sweets see this link: How to Make Eid Maamoul
Method
Follow the cooking sequence without leaving the page.
- Mix all the liquids, sugar, and ghee, then add the semolina and flour on top and stir until you get a soft, tender dough—no kneading required.
- If the dough is too loose, add a little flour; if it is too stiff, add a little liquid milk or water. It is preferable to make the dough in the evening and let it rest overnight.
- Let the dough ferment for at least 4 to 5 hours.Timers: 300 min
- After the time has passed, oil the ka'ak al-aqda al-safra and shape it using the special molds, then garnish with sesame.
- Line the bottom of the baking tray with parchment paper and arrange the pieces on it.
- Place the trays in a preheated oven on the middle rack and bake the ka'ak at 180°C until the bottom browns. If the top does not brown, you can brown it slightly from above.
- Serve the turmeric knot ka'ak when completely cooled.
- Ka'ak spice mix: mix 1 tablespoon ground anise + 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon + 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg + 1 tablespoon ground fennel + 1 tablespoon ground clove, then take 3 tablespoons of this mixture for the dough.
- Dalida Zaeiter
- For more delicious desserts from Dalida, here is this link: How to make Eid maamoul
Recipe tags
DessertsInternationalVegetarianEgg free
Notes and serving ideas
- How to Make Eid Maamoul
