Traditional Moroccan shortbread

Traditional Moroccan shortbread is a medium Moroccan recipe that serves 12. 120 calories per serving. Recipe by Oum Arwa on YouTube.

Prep: 53 min | Cook: 12 min | Total: 1 hr 20 min

Cost: $11.00 total, $0.92 per serving

Ingredients

  • 250 g Unsalted butter 82 % fat (At room temperature, softened)
  • 3 pcs Eggs (Medium to large size)
  • 250 g Powdered sugar (Sift before use)
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 130 g Sunflower oil (Approximately 130 ml)
  • 2 packets Vanilla sugar (Or 2 tsp liquid vanilla extract)
  • 950 g Type 45 flour (Sift before incorporation)
  • 150 g Apricot or red fruit jam (optional) (For assembly)
  • 100 g Salted butter caramel (optional) (For glazing)
  • 100 g White or dark chocolate (optional) (Melt in a bain‑marie or hot water bath)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ingredients

    Take the butter out of the refrigerator, let it soften at room temperature (or 10 s in the microwave). Measure the powdered sugar, salt, vanilla sugar, oil, eggs and flour.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Creaming the butter and powdered sugar

    In the bowl, beat the softened butter with the powdered sugar, salt and vanilla sugar until a very smooth and homogeneous mixture forms.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Incorporate the oil and eggs

    Add the sunflower oil, then the three eggs all at once. Mix until everything is well combined.

    Time: PT3M

  4. Add the flour gradually

    Sift the flour and incorporate it in several additions, mixing gently with a spatula or low‑speed mixer, without over‑kneading.

    Time: PT5M

  5. Shape and chill the dough

    Form a ball with the dough, divide it into 3‑4 portions, flatten them slightly, wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.

    Time: PT10M

  6. Roll out the dough

    On a lightly floured surface, place a portion between two sheets of parchment paper and roll to 2 mm thickness with a rolling pin.

    Time: PT10M

  7. Cut the cookies

    Use cookie cutters to cut the desired shapes, transfer them to a parchment‑lined baking sheet.

    Time: PT10M

  8. Rest before baking

    Return the sheet to the refrigerator for 5 minutes so the cookies stay firm during baking.

    Time: PT5M

  9. Baking

    Preheat the oven to 170 °C fan‑assisted. Bake the cookies 10‑12 minutes, until lightly golden.

    Time: PT12M

    Temperature: 170°C

  10. Cooling

    Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a rack before filling or storing.

    Time: PT10M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
120
Protein
2 g
Carbohydrates
15 g
Fat
6 g
Fiber
0.5 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian, Contains gluten, Contains dairy products, low-carb, low-calorie, very-low-calorie, low-fat

Allergens: Milk, Eggs, Gluten

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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Traditional Moroccan shortbread

Recipe by Oum Arwa

Soft and melt-in-the-mouth Moroccan shortbread, ideal for weddings, parties or tea time. This dough made with butter, powdered sugar, oil and flour yields leavening‑free cookies, easy to shape and decorate as you wish.

MediumMoroccanServes 12

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
38m
Prep
37m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 25m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$11.00
Total cost
$0.92
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Creaming the butter and powdered sugar
  • Incorporating the flour without over‑kneading
  • Chilling in the refrigerator before rolling out
  • Baking at 170 °C without over‑browning

Safety Warnings

  • Handle the hot oven with kitchen gloves.
  • Do not let the butter melt completely in the microwave.
  • Be careful of the sharp edges of the knife or spatula.

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