Moroccan Honey Almond Cigars (Printable)
Crisp pastry rolls with fragrant almond paste and honey coating
# What You’ll Need:
→ Almond Filling
01 - 8.8 oz blanched almonds
02 - 2.8 oz powdered sugar
03 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
05 - 2 tbsp orange blossom water
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
→ Pastry
07 - 10 sheets brick or phyllo pastry
08 - 1.8 oz unsalted butter, melted for brushing
→ Honey Syrup
09 - 7 oz honey
10 - 2 tbsp orange blossom water
11 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
→ Garnish
12 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
# How to Prepare:
01 - Pulse blanched almonds in food processor until finely ground. Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, salt, orange blossom water, and melted butter. Blend until smooth, moldable paste forms.
02 - Cut pastry sheets in half to create 20 rectangles. Keep covered with damp towel to prevent drying while working.
03 - Place heaping tablespoon of almond filling near one short end of pastry rectangle. Shape filling into log, leaving 3/4 inch at each edge. Fold sides over filling and roll tightly into cigar shape. Brush end with melted butter to seal. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling.
04 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange cigars seam-side down on parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush all over with melted butter.
05 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
06 - While cigars bake, gently warm honey, orange blossom water, and lemon juice in saucepan over low heat. Do not boil.
07 - Dip each baked cigar in warm honey syrup, turning to coat completely. Place on cooling rack to drain excess syrup.
08 - Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Allow to cool completely before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These delicate pastries balance sweetness and spice in a way that feels exotic yet comforting
- The crisp pastry giving way to fragrant almond filling creates the most satisfying texture contrast
02 -
- Work quickly with phyllo pastry since it dries out and becomes brittle within minutes
- The honey syrup should be warm not hot, or it will make the pastry soggy instead of glossy
03 -
- Experiment with adding finely chopped pistachios to the almond filling for color and texture contrast
- A pinch of saffron infused in the honey syrup adds another layer of aromatic complexity