Mahlep is a fragrant spice with a slightly yellowish color and a hard texture, primarily used in pastry and baking recipes. It is intensely aromatic and requires careful handling. A minimal amount is more than enough to flavor and impart its sweet taste to baked goods, breads, and bagels.

Mahlep is associated with the celebrations of Christmas and Easter and is used in traditional festive dishes. The gastronomic touch it lends to New Year's cakes and tsoureki is distinctive.

The seed of mahlep comes from the kernel of a wild cherry stone and is more commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisines. In Greece, it is mainly used in sweet recipes, but it can also flavor soups and roasted vegetables.