Çeciir, also known as cecir or sekerpare, is a traditional Turkish confection made with flour, butter, eggs, sugar, and lemon zest. It is a popular dessert in Turkey and other parts of the Middle East, and is often served with tea or coffee.
Çeciir is made by first creaming together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then, eggs are added one at a time, followed by flour and lemon zest. The dough is then chilled for at least 30 minutes before being rolled out and cut into small shapes. The cookies are then baked until golden brown.
After baking, the cookies are coated in a simple syrup made with sugar, lemon juice, and water. This gives the cookies a sticky, sweet coating that is characteristic of çeciir.
Çeciir is a versatile dessert that can be enjoyed plain or flavored with a variety of different ingredients. Some popular variations include:
- Chocolate çeciir: Add melted chocolate to the cookie dough before baking.
- Pistachio çeciir: Top the cookies with chopped pistachios after baking.
- Rosewater çeciir: Add a few drops of rosewater to the simple syrup.
Çeciir can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
History of çeciir
The exact origins of çeciir are unknown, but it is thought to have originated in the Ottoman Empire. The dessert is mentioned in several Ottoman cookbooks, dating back as early as the 16th century.
Çeciir was originally made with chickpeas, which is where it gets its name. However, over time, the recipe evolved to include other ingredients, such as flour, butter, and eggs.
Çeciir in Turkish culture
Çeciir is a popular dessert in Turkey and is often served with tea or coffee. It is also a popular gift to give to friends and family.
Çeciir is also associated with several Turkish holidays and celebrations. For example, it is often served on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Health benefits of çeciir
Çeciir is a good source of carbohydrates, which provide the body with energy. It is also a good source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues.
Çeciir also contains some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium.
However, it is important to note that çeciir is also high in sugar and calories. Therefore, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
How to make çeciir at home
Making çeciir at home is relatively easy. Here is a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix in lemon zest.
- Roll dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Place cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before coating in syrup.
Syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
- Allow syrup to cool slightly before coating cookies.
To coat cookies in syrup, simply dip each cookie into the syrup and then place on a wire rack to cool.
Once the cookies have cooled completely, they are ready to enjoy!
