Jawhara
Recipe category
Jawhara is a delicious Moroccan dessert made with layers of crispy warqa (brick pastry), creamy almond paste, and a rich orange blossom-flavored custard. It’s often garnished with powdered sugar, ground almonds, or honey, giving it a delicate yet indulgent taste.
It’s somewhat similar to Mille-Feuille but with Moroccan flavors. Some variations include adding saffron or cinnamon for extra warmth. It’s a popular dessert for special occasions and is typically served with mint tea.
Preparation time
30 minutes
Cooking time
15 minutes
Number of servings
5
Difficulty
Medium
Ingredients
8 sheets of warqa (or phyllo pastry)
50g butter (melted)
2 tbsp honey
150g blanched almonds
50g sugar
1 tbsp orange blossom water
1 tbsp butter, softened
250ml milk
2 egg yolks
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp orange blossom water
1 tsp vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (optional)
Ground almonds (optional)
Cinnamon (optional)
Sliced apples and bananas (for an extra fruity touch)
Directions
Prepare the Almond Filling
- Blend the blanched almonds and sugar into a fine paste.
- Add orange blossom water and softened butter, then mix until smooth.
- Set aside.
Make the Custard (Crème Pâtissière)
- In a bowl, whisk egg yolks with sugar until pale.
- Add cornstarch and mix well.
- Heat milk in a saucepan until warm (not boiling).
- Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thick.
- Remove from heat, add orange blossom water and vanilla extract, mix well, and let cool.
Prepare the Warqa (Phyllo) Pastry
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Brush warqa sheets with melted butter, then bake until golden and crispy (about 5-7 minutes).
- Let them cool and gently break them into large pieces.
Assemble the Jawhara
- On a serving plate, place a crispy warqa layer.
- Spread a thin layer of almond filling and a layer of custard.
- Repeat for 2-3 layers.
- Top with another warqa sheet, drizzle with honey, and dust with powdered sugar and ground almonds.
Serve with Optional Fruits
- Slice apples and bananas into thin pieces.
- Serve them on the side or arrange them between the pastry layers for a fruity twist.
- Optionally, drizzle with honey and sprinkle cinnamon for extra flavor.
