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Middle Eastern Flavors

Discover Middle Eastern cookie flavors inspired by warm spices, nuts, floral notes, and globally inspired bakes full of bold, unforgettable taste.

Picture of date anise cookies.

Date Anise Cookies: A Soft and Fragrant Cookie Recipe

There is so much to say about the person who inspired this flavor, and so much to say about where she comes from. This cookie flavor began four years ago at a conference, of all places. It was a conference about international exchange and intercultural understanding, and the keynote speaker […]

Picture of several jameed cookies.

Jameed Cookie Recipe: A Sweet and Savory Jordanian-Inspired Cookie

This cookie is difficult to define. It has a tangy, lemony, salty flavor, yet I still struggle to put into words what jameed actually tastes like. I have eaten it straight, without any modification, and the overwhelming flavor was salt. However, I can also say this: when I brought these […]

Picture of za'atar spiced apple cider olive oil cookies with an apple in the background.

Savory-Sweet Za’atar Olive Oil Cookies for Hanukkah

I had every intention of dropping this cookie on the first day of Hanukkah. But life got in the way. At least I got it out before Hanukkah was over. Za’atar has never been one of my favorite spices, but honestly, many of my best cookie recipes begin that way—with […]

Rich, Smooth, and Perfectly Caffeinated: The Espresso Cookie Recipe You Need

Ah, espresso. For most of my life, I was a devoted tea drinker. Coffee was just a rare exception—a staple with breakfast when I visited France, for instance. My perspective changed completely when we hosted Andrea, our first exchange student. On our initial chat, I confessed, “I don’t like coffee—or […]