Koloocheh or Kleicha (Persian: کلوچه), also known as Persian New Year Bread,[1] is an Iranian stamped cookie or bread.[2] There are many variations on the recipe (bready-texture vs. crispy; and stuffed vs. unstuffed) which spans from the Arabian Peninsula to various diaspora communities including in Eastern Europe,[3] and North America.
 Masghati (left) and Koloocheh (right) | |
| Type | Cookie |
|---|---|
| Place of origin |  Iran |
About
Typically koloocheh are cookies filled with dates and walnuts, but can be stuffed with grated coconut and additionally spiced with saffron, rose water, cardamom, cinnamon, or citrus zest.[3][4] The recipe for Caspian cuisine-style bready koloocheh cookie can be made vegan by replacing butter with coconut oil.[5]
It is a recipe made by Persian Jews during the holiday Purim; by Christians during Easter; and Muslims during Ramadan.[3] For Norooz (English: Persian New Year), Iranians will make a koloocheh bread.[1] Koloocheh cookies from Southern Iran are brittle biscuits that principally consists of water, sugar, wheat flour and egg white.
- Koloocheh
Traditional cookie making in Punel village
Renowned thin Koloocheh from Fuman, Iran prior to cooking
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Etymology
From Middle Persian [Book Pahlavi needed] (kwlʾck' /kulāčag/, “small, round bun”)[6]