Makroud translates to diamond shaped. It is a sweet semolina based pastry filled with either dates, figs, or almonds. They can be baked like traditional cookies or fried until golden brown and are topped off with a honey syrup made from honey and orange blossom water.
Chinese Almond Cookies are a traditional Chinese New Year dessert that represent coins and are meant to bring good luck in the new year. These almond cookies have a strong almond flavor due to the addition of almond flour, almond extract, and sliced almonds.
Kleicha is known as the national cookie of Iraq. These pinwheel cookies have a flaky dough similar to puff pastry and are filled with a spiced walnut-date spread. Some recipes call for rosewater, which gives it a subtle undertone of floral flavor.
Stroopwafel taste similar to a ice cream waffle cone but have a nice caramel surprise stuffed in between the two wafers. They are a staple in the Netherlands and can be found on every street corner. While there is not one correct way to eat a stroopwafel, it is common practice to place a stroopwafel on top of a hot cup of coffee or tea to soften it up a bit.
Maple syrup is very popular in Canada so it's no surprise that one of their most known cookies would include maple in it. Maple Leaf Creme Cookies are a well-loved snack all around Canada and can be bought in almost every grocery store. These little sandwiches have a sweet vanilla cream in between two crunchy maple syrup flavored biscuits.
Kahk is an Egyptian dessert associated with happy occasions such as weddings and religious celebrations. Every cookie is molded into a circular shape to represent the sun and has a geometric design. While they may look like typical shortbread cookies when dusted with powdered sugar, kahk uses semolina flour and has a special surprise inside.
Nankhatai are rich, buttery cookies that avoid using eggs, milk, or any leavening agent such as baking powder. The main star of the show is the ghee or butter so if you decide to make these on your own do not reduce the high amount of fat.
Ghotab may look like a savory empanada dusted with powdered sugar but this sweet pastry is quite different. Ghotab is a traditional Iranian dessert prepared any time of the year but most popular around the new year.
Linzer cookies are one of my favorite desserts of all time. They are a perfect balance of nutty and fruity. Originating in Linz, Austria, these delicious cookie sandwiches are nothing short of perfection. They use the same dough as their more popular predecessor, the Linzertorte.
France is well known for their colorful macarons but those are not the only popular cookies. Madeleines are another traditional cookie eaten all over France and differ greatly from macarons. Besides being baked in a specific baking mold, Madeleines have a cakey texture and are soft.