Ready to ditch the same old dessert routine? I’m bringing you 15 of the best Middle Eastern desserts you’ll want to whip up TONIGHT, from cheesy pastries to melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies.
1. Maamoul
Dates are frequently used in Middle Eastern sweets, with a large portion of the world’s supply coming from that region.
In the form of Maamoul, dates are mashed into a paste before being used as a cookie filling. These are just as wonderful as they sound.
2. Baklava Cookies
It’s incredible what you can create when you integrate two wonderful sweets into a single tasty dish.
Thankfully, someone did this and gave the world baklava cookies. These miniature baklavas are also keto, gluten-free, and sugar-free, making them much more appealing.
3. Kahk
These Eid cookies, traditionally provided during feast days, highlight the rich and vivid flavors of the Middle East.
Honey, pistachios, cinnamon, and sesame seeds take ordinary butter cookies to a new dimension. This wonderful treat is guaranteed to make your day.
4. Atayef
If someone claims pancakes are only for breakfast, ignore them.
Any time is a good time for pancakes. You can’t go wrong with atayef if you’re in the mood for them. These are no ordinary pancakes because they come from Lebanon.
They are tiny bits of paradise, loaded with creamy ricotta and sprinkled with crushed pistachios.
5. Ghraybeh
Almost every culture has its version of butter cookies.
These melt-in-your-mouth delicacies are known as ghraybeh in the Middle East. This three-ingredient recipe is incredibly simple to prepare. Simply combine the ingredients, chill, shape, and bake.
Effortless, easy, and, most importantly, you’ll get a batch of warm, freshly baked cookies.
6. Basbousa
Egypt is renowned for the pyramids, complex hieroglyphics, and a glimpse into an ancient civilization.
It also is the origin of the super-moist, rich cake known as basbousa. This scrumptious cake made with coconut and almond semolina is topped with toasted coconut and covered in syrup.
7. Kanafeh
Kanafeh is a delicious, flaky pastry made with cheese and syrup.
That’s right, you read correctly. Perhaps a cheesy pastry isn’t your favorite dessert, but trust me, it is surprisingly tasty.
Kanafeh is surprisingly simple to prepare, despite the fact that there are a few stages. You’ll fall in love once you taste the rich syrup, gooey cheese, and crunchy pastry!
8. Pistachio Cookies
Consider these delectable morsels if you want a cookie but want to stay on track with your diet.
You receive delicious Middle Eastern flavors without all the carbs thanks to these sugar-free and gluten-free pistachio cookies. These cookies are ideal for foodies who want to live a healthy lifestyle since they are made using almond flour and a modest amount of sugar.
9. Halva
Halva must be included while talking about Middle Eastern sweets.
This popular delicacy is a fudge-like sesame cake. This vegan version is perfect for people on a plant-based diet. It’s also sugar-free, so it doesn’t just omit the dairy.
Maple syrup is used as a healthier substitute for refined sugars in the recipe.
10. Persian Chickpea Cookies
I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out.
You can make a tasty treat using chickpeas. These creative cookies employ chickpea flour for the dough before being flavored with pistachios and rosewater. You get a perfectly moist, sweet snack that is full of flavor and has plenty of protein.
11. Stuffed Dates
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You may want to spend hours producing an elaborate cake.
Then again, you may just want to keep it quick but still delicious. This four-ingredient recipe is ideal for those moments. A totally satisfying and healthy snack is made by stuffing dates with coconut, cardamom, and walnuts.
12. Kataifi
Like baklava, kataifi is a sweet and flaky pastry enjoyed in Greece, Turkey, and throughout the Middle East.
To make delicious dessert dumplings, the dough is mixed with spices, nuts, and honey syrup. These sweet treats are certain to satisfy your sweet tooth!
13. Chocolate Cardamon Halva
The taste of chocolate and cardamom is simply fantastic.
In this dish, they unite to create a rich, dense, tahini-based fudge that is certain to thrill dessert and chocolate fans of all generations. It’s a terrific, easy recipe that your family and friends will adore.
14. Umm Ali
This unique recipe combines puff pastry, coconut, almond, and raisins to produce Umm Ali, a bread pudding-style treat from Egypt.
Serve it warm, and enjoy a taste of Middle Eastern comfort on a chilly evening or feed a large party. This is the perfect dish for every occasion.
15. Sahlab
From pancakes to puddings, sahlab is a definitive comfort dish in the Middle East.
This creamy dessert, presented in a tall glass like a milkshake, is basically sweetened milk flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. It’s generally topped with coconut, nuts, and raisins.