Sekerpare

Şekerpare are delicious Turkish cookies, made using semolina, flour, and sugar, then soaked with a lemon-sugar syrup. The syrup gives them an incredible flavor and texture that you’ll fall in love with!

They’re the most popular dessert in Turkey after baklava, and for a good reason! These ‘pieces of sweetness’ taste delectable and are an absolute classic. The incredibly crumbly and moist texture of these cookies will make you want to have more of them.

My recipe shares the classic, authentic version of this recipe. These cookies are also known as Romoosh El Set in Egypt and across the Middle East. Whether enjoyed with a cup of tea, Turkish coffee, espresso, or as a delightful after-dinner treat, Şekerpare is a dessert that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Şekerpare might look tricky to make, but with my step-by-step instructions and video tutorial, you’ll be able to make them perfectly on the first try! These Ramadan and Eid favorite is going to win your heart!

WHAT IS ŞEKERPARE?

Şekerpare are deliciously sweet, moist, and tender Turkish cookies made using semolina, flour, and sugar for an incredible treat.

‘Şeker’ means sugar in Turkish, while ‘pare’ means pieces, so the name of these cookies Şekerpare literally translates to a piece of sweetness in Turkish. They’re pronounced as sheh-kehr-pah-reh.

They are sold in every Turkish bakery and are also part of the menu of most restaurants in the country. They’re truly only second to baklava in terms of popularity, and I can definitely understand why.

These delicious cookies are made with simple ingredients and then soaked in a lemon-sugar syrup that infuses them in sweetness and flavor in every single bite, making them sweet, tasty, and sticky just to the right level!

They’re also known as Romoosh El Set (or Remosh El Set) in Egypt and the Middle East. Romoosh El Set literally stands for lady’s eyelashes! This may sound unusual, but it’s because of the traditional shape of the cookies since they look like eyes with eyelashes.

Şekerpare is traditionally shaped into small, flattened balls. This shape allows the syrup to penetrate the cookie and gives it a distinct appearance.

I’ve given them this traditional Şekerpare shape in my recipe, but you can shape them however you like and they’ll always taste absolutely delicious. Watch my video for instructions to shape it traditionally and give them that authentic Turkish touch!

WHEN ARE ŞEKERPARE MOST COMMONLY EATEN?

Şekerpare are incredibly popular during the month of Ramadan in Turkey and nearly every Turkish household makes them during this month, and even throughout the year.

Romoosh el sit are tasty little treats are often enjoyed as a dessert after meals or as an afternoon snack. They can also be eaten as part of iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan.

Şekerpare are also popular for special occasions and celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and religious holidays. In addition to being eaten for their delicious taste, they are also a symbol of hospitality.

They’re widely eaten during Eid ul-Fitr which is celebrated by Muslims after the end of Ramadan. Eid is a time of celebration for Muslims and it lasts for 3 days. It’s a time for people to dress up, exchange gifts, and gather for a feast.

In Turkey, Eid ul-Fitr is known as Şeker Bayramı or the Sugar Feast, and so these cookies are the perfect addition to the table on that day! These are truly a cookie of celebration, much like Kahk cookies.

WHAT SETS ŞEKERPARE APART FROM OTHER COOKIES?

What sets Şekerpare apart from other cookies is their unique texture, flavor, and sweetness.

The combination of semolina and flour creates a cookie that has a tender, crumbly texture with slightly chewy edges and a grainy texture. This makes them stand out from other cookies and gives them an interesting texture that people can’t help but love.

The addition of lemon-sugar syrup also helps to give them a unique flavor that sets them apart from other cookies. We are making the syrup with lemon juice and sugar and it infuses the cookie with a delicious sweet-tangy flavor that you can’t find in any other cookie.

Plus, the syrup adds a distinct sweetness and moisture to the cookie that sets it apart from other dry and crunchy cookies.

Finally, the sweetness of these cookies is just right. They are not super sweet like baklava or other desserts, but just sweet enough to satisfy your sweet tooth. They’re truly pieces of sweetness you’ll enjoy!

🥘 INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE SEKERPARE (ROMOOSH EL SET)

Making these Turkish semolina cookies is easy and you only need some simple, readily-available ingredients. Let’s look at some of the main ingredients you’ll need in more detail:

You can scroll down to the recipe card for further details and instructions.

Semolina: These are semolina cookies, so we’ll, of course, need some semolina for it. Make sure you’re using fine semolina to make these for the right texture. If you have coarse semolina instead, then pulse it in your grinder to make it finer for this recipe.

Shredded coconut: We’ll also be adding some shredded coconut to these delicious cookies which gives them a delicious flavor and chewy texture.

Butter: You’ll also need some unsalted butter for this recipe. Make sure you’re using good quality butter for this recipe, as butter adds a ton of flavor, and using a high-quality one will make your cookies taste even better.

Sugar: We’ll be using regular white granulated sugar to sweeten the cookies and also to make our lemon-sugar syrup using white sugar, water, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.

🔪 HOW TO MAKE SEKERPARE (ROMOOSH EL SET) STEP BY STEP

The full instructions are in the recipe card below, but let’s look at the main steps to making this treat.

Step 1:

Let’s start by making our syrup first. In a small pan, add sugar, lemon juice, and water and mix it all well. Bring the mixture to a boil and allow it to simmer for 8 minutes. The syrup should be warm when you’re pouring it over the cookies so that it absorbs well.

Step 2:

Next, preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Then take a mixing bowl and add egg and vanilla to it, and beat for one minute. Now add sugar and beat some more until the mixture turns slightly light. Then add semolina to this mixture and mix well, then add coconut and mix it again until it’s all well combined.

Step 3:

In a different bowl, mix the flour with baking powder. Mix this flour mixture with the wet ingredients mixture from before. After that, add the butter and mix everything well using your hands. The goal here is not to knead but to gather the dough together. If you knead the dough, the cookies will turn out tough.

Step 4:

At this stage, the dough shouldn’t be sticky but will be well mixed. Form twelve balls from the dough and roll each into a log. Then press your finger along the middle of the log to make an indent. Repeat with the rest of the balls.

Step 5:

Place them over a baking tray and brush each with egg yolk. Next, run the fork over each of the cookies to create lines, as shown in the video. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until they are golden in color.

Step 6:

Once done, take the cookies out of the oven and pour the warm syrup on top of all of them. Wait for two minutes, then remove the cookies from the baking pan and transfer them to a serving plate.

Garnish with crushed pistachios and shredded coconuts. Your delicious Şekerpare are ready to be served.

💭 COOKING TIPS

• You can make the cookies in any shape you prefer, but make sure to press in the middle to prevent it from cracking or breaking while baking.
• It is important not to knead the dough or the cookies will come out tough and the flavor of the butter will be lost.
• You have to pour the syrup immediately after the cookies are out of the oven.
• If you only have rough/coarse semolina, then pulse them a few times in the grinder to make them fine.

📖 DELICIOUS VARIATIONS FOR SEKERPARE

These sekerpare (romoosh el set) are absolutely perfect as is. But if you’re looking to change things up, here are a few options you can try:

Shape: You can shape the cookies however you like! You don’t have to stick with the traditional Şekerpare shape – feel free to get creative and experiment with different shapes.

Nuts: Another option is to add a hazelnut, walnut, or almond on top of the cookie for extra crunch and flavor. You can experiment with any other nuts you may like or have at hand.

Syrup: Traditionally, a lemon-sugar syrup is used but feel free to play around with the flavors of the syrup for a different variation. You can try using honey to make it a little sweeter as well. Adding a little orange juice instead of lemon juice is another idea you can experiment with!

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🌡️ HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER SEKERPARE

You can store your Şekerpare at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze them for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying your little treats!