RIYADH: Nothing symbolizes the celebration of Eid quite like the smell of buttery, freshly baked maamoul cookies.
Maamoul are traditionally associated with Eid Al-Fitr. The cookies are stuffed with dates or walnuts, pistachios and nuts, and the outer layer sprinkled with crushed white sugar.
Typically enjoyed alongside Saudi tea or coffee, these intricately shaped desserts evoke memories of traditional gatherings for many in the Kingdom. Families would often spend the final few days of Ramadan shaping the cookies ahead of Eid celebrations.
Known for their creative take on desserts, Saudi-owned Mammol Bouquet struts a colorful array of these delectable butter cookies. Owner Hanan Al-Zain spoke to Arab News about how the cookie is a fundamental element of festive joy and Arab cultural heritage.
“Maamoul is a traditional dessert in the Arab world, especially in the Levant and the Gulf region,” she said. “It is considered an essential part of Arab heritage, passed down through generations as part of celebratory and hospitality traditions. It symbolizes generosity and hospitality and carries religious and spiritual connotations, as it is closely associated with joyous occasions such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.”
The store opened in 2020 and has become a go-to favorite for Qatifi locals.
Al-Zain said her inspiration to open a pastry shop stemmed from her desire to share joy with people during special occasions and that the cookies “evoke beautiful memories and the spirit of gifting.”
Mammol Bouquet specializes in floral-shaped versions of the cookie infused with different colors and flavors — yellow for saffron, green for pistachio, brown for wheat.
“Innovation always comes from passion, and creativity is born from love. The flavors of Mammol Bouquet were carefully selected to suit the authentic Arab palate, with the aim of standing out and offering something unique and unconventional in a market filled with repetition,” said Al-Zain.
