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Traditional, mildly sweet, semolina cookie
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 piece (medium) of Sham cookies (40 g) has 156 calories. That works out to 390 calories per 100 g. It contains 25.2 g of carbs, 2.6 g of protein, 4.8 g of fat and 0.9 g of fiber. Its 2.6 µg of Selenium covers 5% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 65 (high), so it raises blood sugar quickly.
Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 40 g
156
KCAL / 40G
Carbs
25.2g
· 9% DV
Protein
2.6g
· 5% DV
Fat
4.8g
· 6% DV
Fiber
0.9g
· 3% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 65% · Protein 7% · Fat 28%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 156 kcal | |
| Total fat | 4.8 g | 6% |
| Saturated fat | 1.48 g | 7% |
| Trans fat | 0.02 g | |
| Sodium | 48 mg | 2% |
| Total carbohydrate | 25.2 g | 9% |
| Fiber | 0.9 g | 3% |
| Protein | 2.6 g | 5% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (medium) | 40 g | 156 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 25 g | 98 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 60 g | 234 kcal |
| 2 piece (double) | 80 g | 312 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 390 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 100 g | 390 kcal |
| 1 pack (jumbo) | 200 g | 780 kcal |
Calculated from 390 calories per 100 g.
Sham cookies are traditional, mildly sweet semolina cookies. Recipes vary, but they may also include flour, fat, sugar, and eggs, giving them a tender or crumbly texture depending on how they are made.
Sham cookies are made by mixing semolina with the other dough ingredients, shaping the dough, and baking it. The precise recipe varies; avoid overworking the dough, which can make the finished cookies tough.
Sham cookies are associated with the culinary traditions of Sham, a historical name used for the Levant, including Damascus. The name alone does not point to one universally fixed recipe, and versions differ across households and regions.
Yes, semolina is a defining ingredient in Sham cookies and gives them a distinctive grainy, tender texture. The amount and the other ingredients vary between recipes, so not every version will have exactly the same bite.
Sham cookies can crumble if the dough is too dry or has not held together before baking. Letting it rest briefly can help the semolina absorb moisture; if it still falls apart, adjust the dough gradually rather than adding lots of liquid at once.
Store Sham cookies in an airtight container in a cool, dry place once they have cooled completely. Sealing them while warm traps steam and can soften their texture.
Yes, baked Sham cookies can be frozen. Cool them fully, separate layers with baking paper in a sealed freezer-safe container, and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Sham cookies go well with tea or coffee, which balances their mild sweetness. They are commonly served as a small treat for guests or as an afternoon snack.
Yes, an egg-free version of Sham cookies is possible, but the result may be more fragile because eggs help bind the dough. Use a recipe designed for egg-free baking rather than simply leaving the eggs out.
No, Sham cookies are traditionally mildly sweet rather than syrup-soaked or intensely sugary. Their sweetness varies by recipe, so homemade versions can be adjusted, though reducing sugar too much may affect the dough's texture.
Vitamins
B1
0.04mg · 3% DV
Biotin
1µg · 3% DV
B2
0.04mg · 3% DV
B3
0.44mg · 3% DV
Minerals
Selenium
2.6µg · 5% DV
Phosphorus
26mg · 4% DV
Copper
0.03mg · 3% DV
Manganese
0.07mg · 3% DV
Sodium
48mg · 2% DV
Potassium ⭐
38mg · 1% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 156 calories in 1 piece (medium) (40 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.
Sham cookies are mildly sweet, traditional semolina biscuits associated with Damascus and the wider Levant. Recipes vary, but semolina gives them a pleasantly substantial, slightly grainy crumb; flour and fat are commonly used to bring the dough together. They are a simple baked sweet rather than a filled or frosted dessert.
In the region, they are enjoyed as a small treat with tea or coffee, and they work just as well for an everyday tea break elsewhere. They are mainly a source of carbohydrates, with relatively little protein and fibre, so pairing one with plain yogurt or a handful of nuts can make a more filling snack. Their gentle sweetness also suits unsweetened tea or coffee.
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.
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
— Not 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
1.48g
MONOUNSATURATED
2.08g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.84g
Omega 6:3 ratio 52:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (52:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.