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Traditional Turkish syrup-soaked pastry, filled with walnuts, rich and sweet
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES
GI
POTASSIUM
FIBER
1 piece (medium) of Karakus dessert (60 g) has 234 calories. That works out to 390 calories per 100 g. It contains 37.2 g of carbs, 3.1 g of protein, 8.1 g of fat and 1.3 g of fiber. Its 0.1 mg of Copper covers 9% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 75 (high), so it raises blood sugar quickly.
Karakus dessert is a traditional Turkish syrup-soaked pastry, especially associated with Adana. Thinly rolled dough is filled with walnuts, shaped, fried until crisp and then dipped in syrup. The contrast between its crunchy exterior and tender, nutty centre makes it a rich, distinctly sweet treat. In Turkey it is often served in small pieces after a meal, with tea, or at celebrations; elsewhere, it works well as a dessert to share alongside unsweetened tea or coffee. It is energy-dense, with 390 kcal per 100 g, so a modest portion is usually satisfying. Serve it with fresh fruit if you want a less heavy-feeling finish.
Selected: 100 g
390
KCAL / 100G
Carbs
62g
· 23% DV
Protein
5.2g
· 10% DV
Fat
13.5g
· 17% DV
Fiber
2.1g
· 8% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 64% · Protein 5% · Fat 31%
Vitamins
B1
0.08mg · 7% DV
Biotin
2µg · 7% DV
B3
0.9mg · 6% DV
B5
0.3mg · 6% DV
Minerals
Zinc
1mg · 9% DV
Phosphorus
54mg · 8% DV
Iron
1mg · 6% DV
Magnesium
22mg · 5% DV
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Low
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 390 calories in 100 g:
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Contains these allergens:
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
4.2g
MONOUNSATURATED
5.1g
POLYUNSATURATED
3.2g
Omega 6:3 ratio 52.5:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (52.5:1).
Karakus dessert is a traditional Turkish syrup-soaked pastry filled with walnuts. Thin dough is folded around the filling and usually fried before being soaked in syrup, giving it a crisp exterior and a sweet, nutty centre.
Karakus dessert is particularly associated with Adana in southern Turkey. It is a regional home-style pastry, and recipes can vary in how the dough is folded, shaped and finished with syrup.
The name is commonly linked to the folded pastry’s bird-like shape; “karakuş” means “black bird” in Turkish. The exact origin of the name is not firmly established, so the shape explanation is best treated as a popular account.
Karakus dessert is traditionally fried, which creates its characteristic golden, crisp pastry. Baking is possible as a variation, but it will not produce quite the same texture as the classic fried version.
The walnut filling is enclosed by folding the thin dough over it and sealing the edges. Pressing the seams firmly before frying helps prevent the filling from spilling into the oil.
Yes, filo can be used as a shortcut, but it makes Karakus dessert more delicate and flaky than dough rolled for the traditional recipe. Keep the filling modest and seal the edges carefully so the pastry holds together.
Karakus dessert tastes sweet and nutty, with syrup-soaked pastry surrounding its walnut filling. When freshly made, the fried outer layers can be crisp; after sitting in syrup, they become softer and more tender.
Karakus dessert is typically shaped as folded, walnut-filled pieces that are fried and then syruped. Baklava is usually made by layering many sheets of pastry with nuts, so its structure and preparation are different.
Karakus dessert is often served on its own after a meal or alongside Turkish tea. Since it is syrupy and rich, small pieces pair well with unsweetened tea rather than another sweet accompaniment.
Store leftover Karakus dessert in a covered container in a cool, dry place. The pastry gradually softens as it absorbs syrup, so it is best enjoyed soon after preparation; avoid adding extra syrup to leftovers.
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.