Karabij: a Middle Eastern cookie

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

Karabij is an element of the Middle Eastern cookie family, which in turn is a class of Arabic sweets. It is a cookie made from semolina dough, which makes it very delicate and easy to break. It is baked and abounds in pistachios.

While other Middle Eastern cookies like Mamoul and Mamoul-Mad are filled with many types of nuts like pistachios and walnuts, as well as dates, Karabij, on the other hand, is always filled with pistachios only. Although it is perfectly possible to use a nut or date filling with Karabij biscuits, it has been customary not to do so and to 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 destined to dive into Natef. Although Mamoul is manufactured in different sizes, Karabijs are always made in a small lengthwise shape that is easy to use for dipping.

Karabij is ideal for those who like to dive. It is a favorite dessert to eat while watching a movie, for example. It is much healthier than French fries 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 Natef White Cream, which is not popular in the Western world.

Karabij are small in size, and you can eat a couple dozen of them before you know it. They are generally high in calories, just like any other cookie, so people need to keep an eye on how many they eat.

These small cookies are considered to belong to 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 with 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 biscuits dipped exclusively with Natef white cream and offered for dessert.