Sekerpare (Turkish Semolina Cookies)

Sekerpare (Turkish Semolina Cookies) is a sweet, moist, and tender dessert that's traditionally served for religious celebrations, such as Seker Bayrami which marks the end of Ramadan.

Seker pare is a great alternative to Turkish Baklava or Baklava Cheesecake for your sweet cravings when you want something much simpler & quicker.

What is Şekerpare?

Şekerpare is a type of cookie made with semolina, butter, eggs, flour, and sugar.

It is then shaped into small balls, baked in the oven until golden, and soaked in simple syrup.

You can find these Semolina Cookies in Turkish bakeries or on restaurant menus everywhere in Turkey.

Alternatively, you can make your homemade version of Seker Pare with my simple recipe.

Origins of Şekerpare

Sekerpare is a popular dessert that originated in the Ottoman Empire, which was a large empire that included many different regions and cultures.

The exact origins of Seker Pare are not clear, but it is believed to have been created during this time.

It is made from semolina dough that is formed into small balls or disks and then baked.

The baked dough is soaked in a sweet syrup made from sugar, water, and lemon juice. This gives the dessert its signature sweetness and moist texture.

Sekerpare is a traditional dessert in Turkey and is enjoyed by people all over the world.

Why This Recipe Works?

• Şekerpare is very easy to make with step-by-step pictures and instructions.

• My simple recipe gives you 24 pieces of this delicious dessert, it is a real crowd-pleaser.

• They are freezer-friendly, you can keep them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

• You can prepare Sekerpare in advance, they taste even better on the second or third day.

Ingredients You'll Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

• Butter - Use good quality unsalted butter and make sure it is softened at room temperature before using it.

• Plain white flour - It is also known as all-purpose flour. It is perfect for making cakes, cookies, pastries, and thickening sauces. Sift it before using it in your pastries.

• Icing Sugar - It has a tiny bit of cornstarch and a powdery consistency which gives a more crumbly texture to the cookies.

• Semolina - It makes the cookie dough light and crumbly.

• Eggs - They add color, structure, and flavor to the cookies. Keep one egg yolk for egg washing the cookies before baking them.

• Baking powder - It helps the cookie dough rise or puff, giving you more airy and crumbly cookies.

• Lemon juice - A few drops of lemon juice are necessary to prevent the syrup from crystallizing. You can add more lemon juice if you want to add your Sekerpare some lemon flavor.

• Hazelnuts - Although they are the most common nuts to use for Sekerpare, you can also use pistachio nuts or almonds.

• Vanilla paste - I use organic vanilla bean paste or extract for a deep and delicious vanilla flavor. Avoid using artificial vanilla for this recipe.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making these sweet and tender Sekerpare is very easy and straightforward.

However, to achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:

Prepare the Syrup

Place the water and sugar in a pan and put on medium heat. 

Stir it until the sugar dissolves, bring it to a boil, and let it gently boil for 15 to 20 minutes. 

Add a few drops of lemon juice, let it simmer for a few more minutes, and then remove the pan from heat. 

Let it cool down while making the semolina cookies. 

Make the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 180° C - 360° F (fan oven) and start making the dough for the cookies.

Sift the flour in a large bowl and then add the egg, egg white, softened butter, icing sugar, semolina, vanilla paste, and baking powder. 

Mix well using your hands until you have a nice and smooth dough.

Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces and turn them into balls.

Lightly flatten the dough balls and place them on a baking tray leaving enough space between each as they will rise when cooked.

Lightly press in the middle of the cookies with your fingertip and place a piece of hazelnut on each cookie.

Eggwash the cookies with a pastry brush and place the baking tray in a preheated oven.

Bake them for 20- 25 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Let the cookies cool down for 5 minutes and then pour the syrup on with a ladle.

Cover the tray with a lid or cling film and let the cookies absorb the syrup and turn soft & moist, almost like a cake consistency.

Top Tips From the Chef

• Make sure the butter is at room temperature - not melted. Take it out of the fridge and leave it out on the kitchen top for a couple of hours until you need it.

• When placing the semolina cookies on the baking tray, make sure to leave enough space between them as they will expand while baking.

• The same as when you are making Kadaif Dessert - Turkish Tel Kadayif, let the syrup cool down to room temperature before pouring it down on the freshly baked cookies.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve Sekerpare in a variety of ways depending on personal preference.

Traditionally, these delicious syrup-soaked cookies are served at room temperature or slightly warm, often with a cup of Turkish Boza Drink, Salep - Turkish Hot Milk Drink (Sahlab), or coffee.

You can garnish Sekerpare with some chopped nuts, such as pistachios or almonds, which add a nice crunch and contrast to the soft texture of the dessert.

Some people also like to serve Sekerpare with a dollop of Kaymak (Turkish clotted cream) or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added richness and creaminess.

Keep in mind that Sekerpare is quite sweet and rich, so it is best enjoyed in moderation.

Recipe FAQs

Related Recipes

For more delicious syrupy dessert recipes why not try:

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making this scrumptious Turkish Sekerpare dessert as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂

Bon appétit! / Afiyet Olsun!