What Is Chebakia? (Moroccan Honey Cookie)
Quick answer
Chebakia is a Moroccan sweet — strips of spiced sesame dough folded into a flower or rose shape, deep-fried, then soaked in honey (or syrup) and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Sticky, crunchy and fragrant, it is a beloved treat especially during Ramadan, served alongside harira soup at iftar.
If you visit during Ramadan, you will see (and smell) chebakia everywhere — those glistening, sesame-studded honey flowers piled high in shops. Here is what they are.
A festive, irresistible Moroccan sweet.
What it is and how it is made
Chebakia (also griwech/mkharka) is made from a dough flavoured with sesame, anise, cinnamon and orange-blossom water, rolled, cut and intricately folded by hand into a flower or rosette shape, then deep-fried until golden and crisp. While still hot it is plunged into warm honey (or honey-syrup) so it soaks it up, then finished with a shower of toasted sesame seeds.
The result is sticky, crunchy-chewy, deeply aromatic and very sweet — a labour-intensive treat often made in big batches.
Chebakia and Ramadan
Chebakia is most associated with Ramadan, when families prepare large quantities to break the fast. At iftar (sunset), it is traditionally eaten alongside harira soup and dates — the sweetness and energy a perfect complement to the savoury soup after a day of fasting.
During Ramadan, shops and stalls overflow with it, and the smell of honey and frying fills the medinas in the late afternoon.
Where to try it
You will find chebakia year-round in patisseries, sweet shops and souk stalls, and especially abundantly during Ramadan. It is cheap and sold by weight. It keeps well, so it makes a sticky-but-packable edible souvenir (wrap it well).
Pair it with mint tea or coffee. If you want to understand Moroccan sweets, chebakia, alongside kaab el ghazal (gazelle horns) and sfenj (doughnuts), is a great place to start.
Key takeaways
- Chebakia is a flower-shaped sesame-and-honey fried cookie.
- Spiced with anise, cinnamon and orange-blossom; soaked in honey.
- A Ramadan favourite, eaten with harira and dates at iftar.
- Sold year-round by weight; a sticky but packable souvenir.
Frequently asked questions
What does chebakia taste like?
Sweet, sticky and crunchy-chewy, fragrant with sesame, anise, cinnamon and orange-blossom, soaked in honey and coated in sesame seeds. Rich and festive.
Why is chebakia eaten during Ramadan?
It is the classic Ramadan sweet, eaten at iftar (sunset) alongside harira soup and dates — its sweetness and energy complement the savoury soup after fasting.
Where can you buy chebakia in Morocco?
In patisseries, sweet shops and souk stalls year-round, and very abundantly during Ramadan. It is sold by weight, cheap, and keeps well as an edible souvenir.
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