Karabij: a cookie from the Middle East
Karabij is a popular Middle Eastern cookie served with Natef. Natef is a special white cream used for dipping with Karabij.
Karabij is an item of the Middle Eastern cookie family, which itself is a class of Arabic sweets. It is a cookie made with semolina dough, which makes it very delicate and easy to break. It is baked, and is abundant in pistachios.
While other Middle Eastern cookies like Mamoul and Mamoul-Mad are filled with many types of nuts, such as pistachios and walnuts, as well as dates, Karabij, on the other hand, is always filled only with pistachios. While it is perfectly possible to use a walnut or date filling with Karabij biscuits, it has been customary not to do so and to use only 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, Karabij are usually smaller than Mamoul because they are meant to be dipped in Natef. Although Mamoul is made in different sizes, Karabij is always made in a small longitudinal shape easy to use for dipping.
Karabij are great for those who like to dive. It is a favorite dessert to eat while watching a movie, for example. It is much healthier than chips 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 one can eat a couple dozen of them without realizing it. They are generally high in calories, just like any other cookie, so people need to watch how many they eat.
These small cookies are considered in 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 eaten during festivities and celebrations in the Middle East and Arab countries. They are also the preferred gift during holidays and religious celebrations.
In short, Karabij are Middle Eastern cookies exclusively dipped in Natef white cream and offered as a dessert.
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