Moroccan Honey Almond Cigars (Printable)

Crisp pastry rolls filled with aromatic almond paste and glazed in golden honey syrup.

# 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 Make It:

01 - Pulse blanched almonds in a food processor until finely ground. Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, salt, orange blossom water, and melted butter. Blend until mixture forms a soft, moldable paste.
02 - Cut pastry sheets in half to create 20 rectangles. Keep covered with a damp towel to prevent drying while working.
03 - Place a heaping tablespoon of almond filling near one short end of each pastry rectangle. Shape filling into a log, leaving 3/4 inch border at edges. Fold sides over filling and roll tightly into cigar shape. Brush edge with melted butter to seal. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
04 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange cigars seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush all over with melted butter.
05 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and crisp throughout.
06 - While cigars bake, gently warm honey, orange blossom water, and lemon juice in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until combined but do not boil.
07 - Remove cigars from oven and immediately dip each one in warm honey syrup, turning to coat completely. Place on a cooling rack to drain excess syrup.
08 - Sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds while syrup is still tacky. Allow to cool completely before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • These crispy golden cigars deliver an irresistible contrast between shattering pastry and creamy fragrant filling
  • The honey syrup transforms them from simple pastries into something truly luxurious and worthy of special occasions
02 -
  • Work quickly with the pastry sheets and keep them covered because exposure to air makes them brittle and prone to tearing
  • The cigars should be warm but not piping hot when dipped in syrup, or they will absorb too much and become soggy
03 -
  • If the almond paste feels too sticky to handle, chill it for 15 minutes before rolling
  • Brick pastry is available in Middle Eastern markets and worth seeking out for its superior texture

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