Butter Biscuits

Name: Butter Biscuits (Ghraybeh)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Palestinian
Ingredients: 120 g (4¼ oz) clarified butter; 50 g (6 tbsp) icing (confectioners’) sugar; 1 tsp arak (optional); 300-330 g (2¼-2½ cups) plain (all-purpose) flour

Ghraybeh

Preparation info

Makes
30

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
50 min

Appears in

Classic Palestinian Cuisine

By Christiane Dabdoub Nasser

Published 2026

About

Before cream puffs, pies and eclairs became standard fare, every christening, circumcision or wedding was an occasion for making ghraybeh. Just like Scottish shortcake, they melt in the mouth and disappear in no time. Make sure not to overeat.

Ingredients

120 g (4¼ oz) clarified butter
50 g (6

Asia
Palestine
Dessert
Vegetarian
Low calorie
Wedding/Marriage

Method

Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F), Gas mark 3. Line three baking trays with parchment paper.

Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until it becomes creamy. Add the arak (optional) and gradually add the smallest quantity of the flour while beating constantly. Gently k