Moroccan Ramadan Sweets
Sweets That Break the Fast
During Ramadan, the breaking of the fast at sunset, known as iftar, is a moment of celebration centered on specific sweets. After a long day without food or water, Moroccans turn to energy-rich, honey-laden treats that restore the body and lift the spirit.
These sweets are not casual snacks but essential parts of a carefully composed iftar table, eaten in a particular order alongside dates, milk, and harira soup. The most iconic of them all is chebakia, a sweet so tied to the holy month that its scent signals Ramadan's arrival.
Chebakia: The Star of Ramadan
Chebakia are intricate flower-shaped pastries made from spiced sesame dough that is folded into rosettes, deep-fried until golden, then soaked in warm honey and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. Their crunch, sweetness, and sesame perfume are unmistakable.
Families prepare chebakia in enormous batches before Ramadan begins, often gathering to fold them together in a beloved communal ritual. Eaten with harira, the honeyed sweetness balances the savory soup, providing a quick burst of energy after the fast.
Sellou: Energy in a Bowl
Sellou, also called sfouf, is a dense, unbaked sweet made from toasted flour, ground almonds, sesame seeds, honey, and butter, spiced with cinnamon and anise. It is pressed into a mound and eaten in small spoonfuls, offering concentrated nourishment.
Because it is calorie-dense and keeps for weeks, sellou is the perfect Ramadan food, providing lasting energy for the long fasting hours. Its nutty, spiced flavor and crumbly-yet-rich texture make it a comforting staple of the season.
Briouat and Other Treats
Sweet briouat, little fried parcels of almond paste soaked in honey, are another Ramadan favorite, easy to eat between sips of soup. Their compact size and intense sweetness make them ideal for the iftar table and for sharing with neighbors.
Other treats include msemen and baghrir drizzled with honey and butter, and an abundance of dates, which by tradition break the fast first. Together these foods create the generous, varied spread that defines Moroccan iftar.
The Ritual of Iftar
Iftar traditionally begins with dates and milk or water, following the prophetic custom, before moving to harira soup paired with chebakia and briouat. This sequence eases the body back into eating while the sweets replenish energy quickly.
Sharing these sweets with family, neighbors, and those in need is a core part of Ramadan's spirit of generosity. Plates of chebakia travel between households, and many are distributed to the less fortunate as an act of charity.
Preparing Ahead
Because Ramadan evenings are busy, most of these sweets are made well in advance. Chebakia and sellou both keep for weeks in airtight containers, allowing families to prepare large quantities before the month begins and enjoy them throughout.
The pre-Ramadan baking sessions are a cherished tradition, bringing women of the family together to fold chebakia and toast the ingredients for sellou. These gatherings are as much about connection as about the food itself.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Flour (for chebakia) | 500 g |
| Toasted sesame seeds | 200 g |
| Honey | 500 g (for soaking) |
| Ground almonds | for sellou and briouat |
| Toasted flour (for sellou) | 500 g |
| Butter | as needed |
| Cinnamon and anise | to flavor |
| Dates | to serve |
Ingredients
FAQ
Why is chebakia eaten during Ramadan?
Chebakia is rich in honey and sesame, providing quick energy after fasting, and it pairs perfectly with harira soup. Its preparation is also a beloved communal tradition that marks the arrival of the holy month.
What is sellou and why is it good for Ramadan?
Sellou is an unbaked sweet of toasted flour, almonds, sesame, and honey. It is calorie-dense and long-keeping, offering concentrated, lasting energy that sustains the body through long fasting hours.
What is eaten first at iftar?
By tradition, the fast is broken with dates and milk or water, following prophetic custom, before moving to harira soup served with sweets like chebakia and briouat.
Loved this? Useful? React below — your feedback helps other readers.