Hanini (Saudi Date and Bread Dessert with Ghee)
Local name: حنيني
In short: Toasted whole wheat bread crumbled and worked into mashed dates, melted ghee and cardamom, served warm with a pool of ghee and toasted sesame. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 375 kcal
Hanini is a humble Saudi sweet made of just bread, dates and ghee. Day-old wheat bread is toasted and crumbled, then mixed with soft mashed dates and warm ghee until it forms a rich, sticky mound. A little cardamom and cinnamon scent it, and a well of melted ghee goes in the middle. Families eat it at Ramadan and on cold evenings with Arabic coffee, scooping it up with a spoon or the fingers.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Spread the torn bread on a tray and toast for 10 minutes, until dry and crisp. Cool, then crumble to coarse crumbs by hand or in a food processor.
- Soak the dates in the hot water for 10 minutes, then mash them into a smooth paste with a fork or in a food processor.
- Mix the crumbs with the date paste, 60 g (1/4 cup) of the ghee, the cardamom, cinnamon and salt. Work it with your hands for 2 minutes until it holds together as a soft, moist mass.
- Press the mixture into a shallow dish or shape it into a dome on a platter. Make a well in the center with the back of a spoon.
- Pour the remaining melted ghee into the well, scatter with sesame seeds and serve warm or at room temperature with Arabic coffee.
Tips
- Use soft dates such as sukkari or medjool. If your dates are firm, soak them a little longer and add a spoon of hot water as you mash.
- For a lighter hanini, use half the ghee and drizzle a spoon of date syrup over the top. Add chopped walnuts for crunch.
Questions and answers
What is hanini?
A traditional Saudi sweet of wheat bread mashed with dates and ghee. It is sticky and rich and usually served with coffee.
Can I make hanini ahead?
Yes. It keeps for 3 days covered at room temperature or 5 days in the fridge. Serve it slightly warm and add a little fresh ghee on top.
Can I make it vegan?
Yes. Use melted coconut oil or a neutral oil instead of ghee, though the flavor will be less nutty.
How long does it take to make Hanini (Saudi Date and Bread Dessert with Ghee)?
About 35 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Hanini (Saudi Date and Bread Dessert with Ghee)?
About 375 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 57 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 375 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 57 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 33 g |
| Sodium | 220 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
