Ghraiba bil Loz (Libyan Almond Ghraiba)
Ghreyba bil loz is a delicious Libyan almond cookie loved for its delicate texture and rich almond flavor. These cookies are often enjoyed during festive occasions and are a popular treat in Libyan cuisine. Ghreyba bil loz melts in your mouth and is perfect for serving with a cup of tea or coffee.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 47 min
- Total
- 1 hr 7 min
- Servings
- As written in source
- Difficulty
- Advanced
Timings are approximate — worked out from the method, not measured in a test kitchen.
Ingredients
Quantities are retained as written by the source and do not scale automatically. Tap an ingredient to check it off as you go.
Cooking instructions
Equipment
Mixing bowl
Equipment
Electric mixer or wooden spoon
Equipment
Baking sheet
Equipment
Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Equipment
Oven
Equipment
Wire rack
Procedure
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Procedure
In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Procedure
Add the flour, ground almonds, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix until well combined and a soft dough forms.
Procedure
Pinch off small portions of the dough and roll them into balls about the size of a walnut. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
Procedure
Press a whole almond into the center of each cookie ball, gently flattening the cookies slightly.
Procedure
Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown.
Procedure
Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes, tips, and variations
Ghribia bil loz are delicate and crumbly, so handle them gently when transferring to the wire rack.
Notes, tips, and variations
The cookies will firm up as they cool, so don't worry if they seem soft right out of the oven.
Notes, tips, and variations
Make sure the butter is softened at room temperature to easily cream it with the powdered sugar.
Notes, tips, and variations
If you prefer a more pronounced almond flavor, you can add a few drops of almond extract to the dough along with the vanilla extract.
Notes, tips, and variations
For a touch of citrus, add the zest of 1 lemon or orange to the dough.
Notes, tips, and variations
Dust the cooled cookies with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
Photo: وهراني · CC BY-SA 4.0 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 · Photo source and licence
Wikibooks contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ · Adapted; quantities retained as written. · Original source
Read it through first
Skim all 19 steps before you start — it is the difference between cooking and firefighting.
Scale it
Use the quantities listed in the original recipe. Adjust them manually if making a different batch size.
Storage
Cool completely, then keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Reheating
Reheat gently with a splash of water in a covered pan, rather than blasting it, so nothing dries out.
Approximate values per serving. Worked out from the ingredient list — treat them as a guide, not a measurement.
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