Qrashel or Krachel () or Lgorss () are Moroccan traditional sweet sesame rolls, made with anise and fennel.
They can be served with tea or coffee, and dipped in cheese, olive oil, jam or honey. The rolls are similar to French brioche, but the anise seeds give them an extra flavor.
Qrashel are known in
Moroccan cuisine at least since the late
Wattasid
The Wattasid dynasty ( ber, Iweṭṭasen; ar, الوطاسيون, ''al-waṭṭāsīyūn'') was a ruling dynasty of Morocco. Like the Marinid dynasty, its rulers were of Zenata Berber descent. The two families were related, and the Marinids ...
and early
Saadian
The Saadi Sultanate (also rendered in English as Sa'di, Sa'did, Sa'dian, or Saadian; ar, السعديون, translit=as-saʿdiyyūn) was a state which ruled present-day Morocco and parts of West Africa in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was l ...
era (mid 16th century). The Wattasid governor of
Marrakech
Marrakesh or Marrakech ( or ; ar, مراكش, murrākuš, ; ber, ⵎⵕⵕⴰⴽⵛ, translit=mṛṛakc}) is the fourth largest city in the Kingdom of Morocco. It is one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco and is the capital of the Marrakes ...
, Nasser Bouchentouf, was notoriously murdered with poisoned Qrashel.
Name
The Moroccan term "Qrashel" is in the plural form, with the singular "qershala", and diminutive "qrishla".
The later can also refer to small sesame Moroccan sweets, that otherwise share no resemblance with Qrashel.
The name of these Moroccan buns can differ from region to region. "Krach" is common in northern Morocco, while "krachet" is common in the southern regions.
Recipe
The recipe for Qrashel can differ from region to region. But most commonly would include milk, eggs, anise seeds, sesame, sugar, baker's yeast, orange flower water, butter and flour.
Some recipes also add chocolate.
The preparation of the dough can take up to 2 hours, while the baking can take around 30 to 40 minutes in a pre-heated oven to 350 degrees F (around 175 C).
References
{{Cuisine of Morocco
Moroccan cuisine
Buns