For Dessert Moroccan Almond Cigars a Sweet Treat
Cakes & Cookies · Dessert · Provencal Recipes · Tasha Powell · TasteMoroccan Almond Cigars or Cigares Marocains aux Amandes (in French) are crunchy, sticky, sweet and delicious! We made them at a recent Pitcher & Powell cooking and yoga adventure in Marrakech. We dedicated an entire class to making Moroccan desserts, and it was like a Christmas cookie exchange in North Africa. Even the self-professed “non-bakers” got into the sticky fun.
Traditional Moroccan pastries are based on a few key ingredients: nuts, citrus zest, dried fruits, sesame seeds, scented waters such as orange blossom or rose blossom and honey syrup. Here is my video to demonstrate the technique:
Moroccan Almond Cigars
These pastries can be made a day in advance as they are a bit time-consuming. If you get in the groove of making the almond paste, rolling the cigars, frying and dipping in honey – you will be done before you know it.
Ingredients
- 20 phyllo sheets also known as brick pastry
- 3 cups (680g) ground almonds or Almond Flour
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (113g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (118ml) orange blossom water for almond paste
- 1 egg white
- 1 Orange for the zest
- 8 oz (236ml) honey warmed in a pan to dip fried cigars
- 4 oz (118ml) Water
- 2 tbsp orange blossom water for honey syrup
- 3 tbsp Toasted Sesame Seed to garnish
- 6 oz (177ml) melted butter for almond paste and phyllo
- vegetable oil (Sunflower or Canola) for frying
Instructions
Make the Almond Paste:
- In a large bowl, make the almond paste by mixing together the ground almonds, 1/3 of the melted butter, sugar, cinnamon and orange zest.
- Add the orange blossom water gradually until the mixture becomes soft.
- Lay flat a sheet of phyllo (brick), cut into 3 ribbons of 3 inches (7.6 cm) x 14 inches (35 cm).
- Place a small amount of the almond mixture on one side of the sheet.
- Before rolling, brush the middle of the phyllo sheet with melted butter. Brush the other sides with egg white.
- Fold the sides of the sheet over the ground almond mixture and roll very tightly into a cigar shape; press firmly with the seam down.
Finish the Almond Cigars:
- Heat the sunflower or vegetable oil in a large pan.
- When the oil is hot, fry the cigars for about 1.5 minutes on each side or until they become golden brown in colour.
- Transfer the cigars to a pan of warm honey syrup (2 parts honey (8oz)/one part water (4 oz) and 2 tablespoons of Orange Blossom water) and spoon over each cigar.
- Remove the cigars from the pan and sprinkle on the top and sides with toasted sesame seeds.
- Let the cigars cool before serving.
Notes
Equipment required: Frying pans, tongs, spatula, pastry brush, a microplane for zesting the orangeOptions:Use 1½ cup of almond flour and 1 ½ cups of hazelnut flour for a nuttier taste (nut paste will be brown instead of a very light brown if you use only almond flour).For a different shape, fold the phyllo dough in a triangular shape (called a briwat or briouat).For an alternative flavour profile, use rose water instead of orange blossom water.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Glimpses of Marrakesh:
Legal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Previous Post
Provencal Soup with Mussels - Soupe de MoulesRelated Provence Articles
The Summer Truffle Festival in Aups is a Culinary Treat – Don’t Miss Out!
June 23, 2025
Located between the Mediterranean coast and the Alps, the village of Aups sits at 505 metres (1,657 ft). Considered the capital of the Haut-Var, this mid-sized town has a population of roughly 2200 residents. However, on a busy summer weekend, Aups attracts many visitors. It is considered the “gateway” to the Verdon Regional Natural Park, …
Make this Provencal Summer Menu Inspired by Seasonal Flavours
June 20, 2025
Cynthia Moos is a Provence native and the founder of Best French Forever, a lifestyle brand dedicated to women inspired by the Provençal art de vivre. Her mission is to invite women to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and curate a life they love. We asked Cynthia if she would curate our 2025 summer menu. …
Where to Eat in Provence? Domaine la Pierre Blanche is a Food Lovers’ Paradise
June 18, 2025
As the sun gracefully dips behind the Alpilles, the landscape is bathed in a gentle golden glow that dances across the grapevines, offering a prelude to an enchanting evening in Provence. This region’s luminous light, which has long captured the imaginations of celebrated artists, serves as a backdrop to the “Rosé Mule,” a tantalizing cocktail …
Good Food and Cozy Dining in St-Rémy at Le Marilyn
June 16, 2025
My wife and I live part of the year in St-Rémy-de-Provence, and one of our favourite restaurants for cozy dining is Le Marilyn. We always receive a warm welcome, the food is consistently good, and the dining room is one of the most charming around. Owner Chantal Büchner has been in the restaurant business since …
No Comment