Cocoa Sticks (Siijar bil Kakaow): A Sweet, Spiced Delight

Preheat your oven and roast the cocoa with a tablespoon of oil until golden brown. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t burn.

Prepare the Cocoa Mixture:
In a bowl, mix together the sugar, butter, rose water, ground cardamom, and cinnamon. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Combine with Roasted Cocoa:
Add the roasted cocoa to the mixture and stir thoroughly to ensure everything is well coated.

Prepare the Phyllo Dough:
Lay out the phyllo dough and brush with melted butter. Be sure to cover each layer of phyllo dough with butter to ensure crispness.

Assemble the Cocoa Sticks:
Place a small amount of the cocoa mixture on one end of the phyllo dough and roll it into sticks, securing the ends tightly.

Decorate and Bake:
Place the prepared cocoa sticks on a baking sheet. Brush them with more melted butter. Decorate the top of each stick with a drizzle of honey before baking.

Bake the Cocoa Sticks:
Bake the cocoa sticks in the preheated oven until golden brown and crispy, about 15-20 minutes.

Serving and Storage Tips