Çäkçäk

Çäkçäk, also known as chak-chak, is a cherished traditional Tatar dessert, particularly popular in Tatarstan and Bashkortostan. It holds the status of being the national sweet of Tatarstan in Russia. This delightful treat is crafted by cutting unleavened dough into small balls, deep-frying them, and then stacking them into a mound. The magic happens when hot honey is poured over the fried balls, which are then left to cool and harden. Occasionally, additions like hazelnuts or dried fruits are mixed in or used as decorative elements.

There are various types of çäkçäk depending on regional influences. For instance, when the dough is fried as noodles, it’s called Boxara käläwäse. The Kazakh version, known as shek-shek, is quite similar to Boxara käläwäse. In Uzbekistan, chakchak can be found in half-round balls, noodles, and flakes forms. The Tajik version offers both ball and noodle shapes.

Traditional wedding çäkçäk tends to be larger and is often adorned with candies and dragées, making it a festive centerpiece. A fun fact in the history of çäkçäk is the creation of the largest one ever, weighing a staggering 1,000 kg, during Kazan's millennium celebration on August 29, 2005.