Dessert · Middle Eastern · Late-Night ·

Velvety Iraqi Kahi with Cardamom Syrup

Name: Velvety Iraqi Kahi with Cardamom Syrup
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 200 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup water, lukewarm; ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted; ½ cup ghee, softened; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 cup sugar; ½ cup water; 2 cardamom pods, lightly crushed; 1 teaspoon lemon juice

A delightful, flaky layered pastry topped with a sweet cardamom-infused syrup, perfect for a comforting treat any time of the day.

4.3(293 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 11, 2025

Velvety Iraqi Kahi with Cardamom Syrup — Dessert served and photographed from above

Prep

50 min

Cook

2 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Dough

For the Ghee Layer

For the Cardamom Syrup

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 377 kcal
Protein: 3.1 g
Carbs: 49.8 g
Fat: 18.4 g
Fiber: 1 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3016 kcal
Protein: 25 g
Carbs: 398 g
Fat: 147 g
Fiber: 8 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 cups all-purpose flour	910	25	190	2	8
¼ teaspoon salt	0	0	0	0	0
½ cup water, lukewarm	0	0	0	0	0
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted	400	0	0	45	0
½ cup ghee, softened	900	0	0	100	0
1 tablespoon cornstarch	30	0	7	0	0
1 cup sugar	770	0	200	0	0
½ cup water	0	0	0	0	0
2 cardamom pods, lightly crushed	5	0	1	0	0
1 teaspoon lemon juice	1	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Dough

1
Combine Flour and Salt
In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.
2
Add Water and Knead
Gradually add lukewarm water and knead into a soft, pliable dough.
Tip: Ensure your work surface is dry to prevent the dough from sticking.
3
Rest the Dough
Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Tip: Chilling the dough for a few minutes before rolling helps achieve thinner layers.

Preparing the Ghee Layer

1
Mix Ghee and Cornstarch
Mix the ghee with cornstarch until smooth.
2
Set Aside
Set aside for later use.

How to Make Velvety Iraqi Kahi with Cardamom Syrup

Total time: 3 h 20 min · Yields 8 servings

1
Rolling the Dough
Divide the dough into 8 equal balls. Roll each ball into a thin circle, apply a layer of ghee mixture, and fold into a square.
2
Layering the Dough
Repeat the rolling and layering process three times to achieve maximum flakiness.
3
Baking the Pastries
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the pastries for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.