çileri

çileri is a Turkish word that primarily refers to a type of pastry or dessert. The exact composition can vary, but it often involves a sweet dough, sometimes filled with nuts, spices, or cheese, and typically baked or fried. The term can also be used more broadly to encompass various sweet baked goods or confectionery items in Turkish cuisine.

The preparation of çileri can be a traditional process, with recipes passed down through generations. Ingredients commonly found in çileri include flour, sugar, butter or oil, eggs, and flavorings such as cinnamon, walnuts, or pistachios. Depending on the specific regional or family recipe, the dough might be leavened or unleavened, and the final product can range from a crisp cookie to a softer, cake-like confection.

çileri are often enjoyed with tea or coffee and are frequently made for special occasions, holidays, or as a treat. The word itself, çileri, has a rustic and traditional connotation within Turkish culture, evoking a sense of homemade goodness. While not as widely known internationally as some other Turkish desserts like baklava, çileri holds a place in the domestic culinary landscape, representing a comforting and familiar sweet.