Ghraybeh that melts in the mouth, made with soft butter, egg white, and vanilla, and decorated with a pistachio in the center. It differs from the traditional samna ghraybeh in its ingredients and lighter buttery texture, and it is a popular sweet of Eid and the holy month in the Gulf and the Levant.
We make ghraybeh with butter and egg white with clear amounts and orderly steps, while keeping the essence of the recipe and its preparation method as it was originally given.
Take the butter out of the fridge at least half an hour before starting so it becomes soft at room temperature (not fully melted). Place it in a deep bowl and beat it with an electric whisk for 3 to 4 minutes until it becomes creamy, light in color, and smooth. Long beating incorporates air and gives the ghraybeh its flakiness.
Add the fine sugar gradually (in 3 batches) while continuing to beat for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is combined and becomes light and flaky. Continue beating until the sugar dissolves and is fully combined with the butter.
Sift the flour with the salt in a separate bowl. Add the flour to the butter mixture in three batches, mixing gently after each batch. Then add the egg white and vanilla and knead by hand or with a stand mixer on a slow speed until a cohesive, soft, non-sticky dough forms.
Shape the dough into small walnut-sized balls (about 25 g each), or shape them into crescents or rings as desired. Flatten each piece a little and press a pistachio (or almond) into its center. Arrange the pieces on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving a 3 cm gap between adjacent pieces.
Place the tray in a preheated oven at 160 degrees Celsius (320 Fahrenheit) for 12-15 minutes. The ghraybeh should not change color much; it stays light. Take it out and let it cool for 5 minutes on the tray before moving it to a cooling rack so it sets and can handle being moved.
The glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar, while the glycemic load (GL) measures how much a full serving raises it. Together they give the complete picture.
A low value (≤55) means a gradual rise in blood sugar — the most suitable range for diabetes and insulin resistance.
Glycemic load reflects the impact of the full serving. To lower it: take half a serving, or pair the recipe with a source of protein and fiber.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet per FDA food-label reference values — your daily needs may be higher or lower. Values are derived from the recipe's ingredients via the USDA database.
The most common problems when preparing Ghraybeh with Butter and Egg White, and how to fix them:
Add a tablespoon of cold milk and knead until the dough comes together. Butter that is too cold is the common cause.
Make sure the butter was soft before starting, and reduce the baking time by two minutes. A lower temperature (150 instead of 160) preserves moisture.
Kept in a sealed metal container for up to two weeks. And in the freezer for up to two months; take it out and leave it at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.
| Original Ingredient | Tested Substitute | Ratio | Flavor Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| butter | vegetable ghee | 1:1 | Gives a slightly different flavor and a more crumbly texture, which is the traditional recipe for samna ghraybeh found in the library. |
| egg white | remove it and add 1 tablespoon milk | - | The result will be more crumbly and less firm, closer to samna ghraybeh. |
| Ingredient | 6 people | 12 people | 24 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| butter | 1 cup | 2 cups | 4 cups |
| fine sugar | half cup | 1 cup | 2 cups |
| flour | 2 cups | 4 cups | 8 cups |
| egg white | half | 1 | 2 |
| vanilla | half tsp | 1 tsp | 2 tsp |
| salt | a pinch | quarter tsp | half tsp |
| pistachio | half cup | 1 cup | 2 cups |
The butter should be soft, not melted. If it is too cold, it will not combine, and if it is fully melted it will cause the dough to crumble. Take it out half an hour before starting and leave it at room temperature.
The EEINA app saves your favorite recipes, calculates them from their real ingredients, and shows your daily numbers toward your goal. Try it free now.
