Cornes de Gazelle (Gazelle Horns)

Dessert Algerian

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Make Cornes de Gazelle (Gazelle Horns) once and it will go straight into your regular rotation. Prep takes about under an hour, cooking around under an hour, and it serves 4. Most of the time is hands-off while the oven does its thing, which makes it an easy one to fit around other dishes. Scroll down for the ingredients, the step-by-step method, and answers to the questions we get asked most about it.

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Cornes de Gazelle (Gazelle Horns) — Dessert recipe, Algerian cuisine
Cornes de Gazelle (Gazelle Horns) · Algerian

Ingredients

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread almonds over the baking sheet.
  2. Bake in the preheated oven until almonds are fragrant and roasted, 20 to 25 minutes.
  3. Prepare pastry dough while almonds are roasting. Combine flour, 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter, and salt in a bowl and rub together until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add egg, oil, and 1 1/2 tablespoons orange blossom water; knead everything into a smooth pastry dough. Add a little water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if dough is too dry. Shape pastry dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and set aside for 30 minutes.
  4. Remove almonds from oven and cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Place almonds in the bowl of a food processor; process until finely and evenly ground. Add 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, cinnamon, egg, and 1 tablespoon orange blossom water in that order to the food processor, pulsing after each addition until mixture is evenly combined and resembles a paste.
  5. Remove small walnut-sized portions of filling with greased hands. Roll them into small logs with thin ends. Set aside.
  6. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  7. Roll out half of the pastry dough on a lightly floured surface until very thin. Place one of the almond paste logs on the edge of the pastry, fold pastry over the filling, covering it completely, and seal the edges. Mold with your fingers into a crescent shape. Using a pastry cutter, cut around the crescent, and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven until gazelle horns are lightly golden and baked through, about 20 minutes. They should not get too dark. Let cool slightly, about 3 minutes.
  9. Heat honey in a small saucepan over low-medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon orange blossom water. Dip gazelle horns into the honey and place on a serving plate. Sprinkle with crushed pistachios.

Tips for the best Cornes de Gazelle (Gazelle Horns)

  • Preheat the oven fully before anything goes in — a cold start changes the texture.
  • Do not crowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed so everything browns instead of steaming.
  • Let the egg come up to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking so it cooks evenly.
  • Taste as you go. Seasoning at the end is fine, but adjusting halfway through gives a more balanced result.

Variations

  • Individual portions: divide into ramekins or a muffin tin and reduce the baking time by about a third.
  • Fusion twist: keep the method but swap the spices for your own favourites — the Algerian base takes well to it.
  • Vegetable boost: stir in a handful of spinach, peas or diced peppers in the last few minutes of cooking.

Serving ideas

Best with fresh berries on the side and a little whipped cream.

Storage

Keeps in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days, or refrigerated for up to a week. Most versions freeze well for 2 months.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Cornes de Gazelle (Gazelle Horns) recipe medium to make?

It is rated medium: 13 ingredients and 9 steps. Follow the order and the tips above and it is very forgiving.

What can I substitute for almonds?

Any ingredient with a similar texture and cooking time works; see the variations below for ideas. Keep quantities the same and adjust seasoning at the end.

Can I make Cornes de Gazelle (Gazelle Horns) ahead of time?

Yes. It actually improves after a few hours, so make it earlier in the day and reheat gently before serving.

Recipe data via TheMealDB — source

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