Sellou, also known as sfouf, is one of those Moroccan sweets that never leaves the Ramadan table, and never misses a home that has just welcomed a newborn. It’s full of energy, blending the flavours of toasted flour, almonds, sesame and honey, while the scent of cinnamon and anise fills the whole house.

The most important step is toasting the flour over low heat until it turns golden without ever burning. That slow toasting is exactly what gives sellou its deep flavour and its long shelf life.

Moroccan Sellou (Sfouf) with Almonds and Sesame

A wonderfully nourishing Moroccan sweet made from toasted flour, sesame and almonds, bound together with honey, butter and warm spices. It's served during Ramadan, on special occasions and after a new baby arrives.

طباعة الوصفة احفظها على Pinterest

مدة التحضير 30

مدة الطهي 40

الوقت الكلي 1 10

عدد الحصص: 10 people

Ingredients Method Notes

المقادير

1 kg flour
2 cups sesame seeds, toasted and ground
2 cups almonds, fried and ground
1 tablespoon ground anise
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon gum arabic (mastic, optional)
1 cup honey
1 cup melted butter (or smen)
Powdered sugar, to taste
Fried almonds, for decoration

Method

Toast the flour in a pan over low heat, stirring constantly, until it turns golden and smells fragrant, then let it cool.
Grind the toasted sesame and the fried almonds, then mix them into the toasted flour.
Add the cinnamon, anise, powdered sugar and ground mastic, and stir everything together well.
Gradually work in the melted butter and honey, kneading until the mixture holds together and is easy to shape.
Press the sellou into your serving dish in a pyramid shape, or spread it flat, then decorate with fried almonds.
Let it rest for a little while before serving. It keeps for a long time in an airtight container.

ملاحظات

Toasting the flour over low heat is essential to avoid a raw or burnt taste.
Adjust the honey and butter to get the texture you like best (crumbly or firm).
Sellou keeps for weeks in an airtight container, which makes it perfect for suhoor.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between sellou and sfouf?

They're two names for more or less the same sweet; the wording just changes from one Moroccan region to another.

Is sellou good for new mothers?

It's traditionally offered to women who have just given birth because it's so rich in energy, almonds and sesame, and because everyone simply loves the taste.

How do I store sellou for a long time?

In a tightly sealed container, away from moisture, it stays good for several weeks.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA

Moroccan Sellou (Sfouf) with Almonds and Sesame