Suwar iL Sit, Lady's Bracelets

One of the most beautiful and delicious Syrian sweets for the holidays is Suwar iL Sit, called Lady's Bracelets. They are as elegant as you might find in a bakery, but in truth, Syrian women are adept at making them at home every holiday season.

I remember Sitto and her sister Zakeya making these many years ago. I watched in wonder as they took turns wrapping the phyllo around a stick. It was done with the phyllo flat on the table and the dowel placed across the end of the sheet of dough. Then the dowel was rolled against the phyllo as the phyllo became wrapped around the dowel. At the end of the rolling, the dough was crimped together as the dowel was removed. The loose ends formed the base for the pastry and nut filling. It was done quickly, so you can imagine my wide eyes as I watched this.

This looks difficult but trying one or two of them and it becomes quick work. A good tip is to have a muffin tin handy, placing each of these "bracelets" into the muffin cups until you're ready to place them on the baking sheet, baste them with butter and fill with the nuts before baking.

Have your Sugar Syrup, Shirreh, at room temperature so that you can drizzle them after they come out of the oven. Simply heavenly!