Maarouk (Arabic:معروك,romanized: maʿrūk),Marook, or "Ramadan bread", is a traditional Syrianleavened sweet bread common inLevantine cuisine. It is made into a variety of shapes and sizes, and is stuffed with various fillings, it is very popular during the month ofRamadan, and is traditionally stuffed with date paste, and flavored withmahleb.[1][2][3]
Kneaded leavened breads have existed in theMashriq since at least the 10th century; the 10th-century cookbookkitab al-tabikh byIbn Sayyar al-Warraq contained a recipe forkhubz mʻrūk (well-kneaded bread).[4]
A similar, date-stuffed, ring bread is mentioned as "aljerk" in the records from Jerusalem's Islamic court in the 17th century.[5]
It is similar to other leavened breads found inIraq andTurkey likeÇörek, also known as "zherk" (Arabic:جرك), the Iraqi bread has a similar shape and date stuffing to maarouk.[6][5][7][better source needed]
Aleppan historianKhayr al-Din al-Asadi's encyclopedia (completed 1971, published posthumously in 1981) described maarouk as a type ofka'ak (كعك معروك) that is kneaded throughly then brushed with syrup after it is baked and then topped with sesame seeds and nigella sative seeds. The bread was traditionally only made during Ramadan.[8]
The termmaʿrūk (المعروك) derives from the Arabic rootʿaraka (عرك), meaning "to knead" or "to mix thoroughly until cohesive." Traditionally,maʿrūk was prepared by hand before the advent of kneading machines.[9][10]
The dough for maarouk typically usesyeast for leavening, eggs and milk are sometimes added in, various spices are incorporated into the dough.[3][5]
The most common stuffing isdate palm,[5] a wide array of other fillings are available, including chocolate,qishta, cheese,[11]Biscoff Lotus, coconut, among many others,[12] it is sometimes sold plain with no filling.[1][13]
Some commons shapes for the bread are rings,[7] braids,[3] and loafs.[1]
The toppings used can vary significantly as well, common additions aresesame seeds,[1]nigella seeds,[3] shredded coconut, and various nuts.[14]Egg wash is also added on top.[5]
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Media related toMaarouk at Wikimedia Commons
