Kariokes

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Kariokes are crescent-shaped chocolate confections made by mixing ground walnuts with cake or biscuit crumbs, cocoa, and sometimes a splash of liqueur or brandy. The mixture is shaped into half-moons and then dipped in rich dark chocolate. The texture can range from soft and chewy to crunchy, depending on the amount of biscuit and nuts added. Kariokes are often made by pastry shops using leftover cake or sponge, making them both a frugal and indulgent treat. They were first created in 1926 by Giorgos Papaparaskevas in Xanthi, known initially as a kerasma, and their name was inspired by the people of Rio de Janeiro who settled there.