El Majoun

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound blanched whole almonds (about 1 1/2 cups), toasted, cooled, and ground fine (use a food processor)
• 1 cup golden raisins, half chopped fine and half chopped coarse
• 1/3 cup honey
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons minced crystallized ginger
• 8 whole allspice berries, ground fine
• 1/8 teaspoon ground mace
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon fennel seeds, ground fine
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• a pinch cayenne
• a pinch saffron threads, crumbled
• 1/3 cup sesame seeds