Iraqi snacking is kleicha, date-filled cookies for Eid, and manna (mann al-sama), a nougat-like sweet sold in boxes. Baklava and zalabia share the tray. Dates from Basra and Karbala are eaten by the handful, sometimes stuffed with walnuts. Simit-like ka'ak rings and geimar cream on bread are breakfast-snacks. Masgouf is a meal.
Updated August 27, 2026
Kleicha is the cookie that marks Eid: date paste, spice, a molded or round shape, trays for neighbors. Dates do the rest of the year, especially from the south, sometimes with a walnut inside. Manna in a box is the confection people pack as a named sweet rather than as generic baklava.
Ka’ak and geimar on samoon are the savory-dairy morning. Zalabia is the fryer. Pack kleicha, dates, and manna. Cream and fried coils stay in Baghdad.
Kleicha, dates, manna candy, zalabia, and ka'ak with tea.
An Iraqi Eid cookie, usually date-filled and spiced, baked in large family batches.
Dates, kleicha, and boxed manna. Geimar and zalabia do not.
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