Top Middle Eastern Desserts You Need to Try
Middle Eastern desserts are a delicious adventure for anyone with a sweet tooth, with flavors inspired by the region’s rich history and a variety of ingredients like honey, rosewater, nuts, and dried fruits. From sticky, nutty baklava to creamy, chilled muhalabiya, the desserts of the Middle East combine textures, colors, and unique flavors to create indulgent treats unlike anything else. If you’re a fan of sweets, you’re in for a treat! At Chef Cooking Resort, we offer recipes of desserts that are famous throughout the world. This article covers the most iconic Middle Eastern desserts you need to try.
1. Baklava
Baklava is one of the most famous desserts from the Middle East, loved for its flaky layers and honey-soaked sweetness. Originating in the Ottoman Empire, baklava is now enjoyed across the Middle East and around the world. The dessert is made by layering thin sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each with butter, and filling the layers with a mixture of finely chopped nuts, usually pistachios, walnuts, or almonds. The whole dessert is baked until golden brown, then soaked in a syrup of honey, rosewater, or orange blossom, which seeps into the layers, making each bite rich and decadent.
Popular Variations: While traditional baklava uses pistachios or walnuts, some regions use hazelnuts or even cashews. There are also chocolate and fruit-flavored varieties.
Serving Tip: Baklava pairs well with strong coffee or tea, balancing its sweetness with a touch of bitterness.
2. Kunafa (Knafeh)
Kunafa is another classic Middle Eastern dessert with a long history. It is one of the famous Middle Eastern desserts. It’s a warm, cheesy pastry topped with thin threads of kataifi dough (similar to shredded phyllo) and drenched in sugar syrup. The base is made with a soft, stretchy cheese, often Akkawi or Nabulsi, which melts beautifully during baking. Once baked, kunafa is topped with finely chopped pistachios, giving it a pop of color and a delightful crunch.
Regional Variations: In some places, kunafa is made with a semolina crust rather than shredded dough, while others include a layer of cream.
Serving Tip: Serve kunafa warm so the cheese is perfectly gooey. It pairs wonderfully with mint tea.
3. Halva
Halva is a unique dessert with a crumbly texture that melts in the mouth. Made primarily from tahini (sesame seed paste) and sugar, it has a dense, fudge-like consistency with a nutty flavor. Halva is believed to have originated in the Middle East, where it’s enjoyed in countless variations. Ingredients like pistachios, almonds, chocolate, and even dried fruits are often added to enhance its taste and texture.
Popular Flavors: Pistachio, chocolate, and vanilla are some of the most popular halva flavors, while some regions infuse it with saffron or rosewater.
Serving Tip: Halva makes for a great snack or dessert with coffee. Its sweetness is rich, so smaller portions go a long way.
4. Ma’amoul
Ma’amoul are shortbread-like cookies filled with dates, nuts, or figs and are often served during holidays like Eid and Easter. These delightful cookies are made with semolina flour, giving them a slightly grainy texture, and are molded into beautiful shapes using special wooden molds. The fillings are spiced with ingredients like cinnamon and orange blossom water, creating a balanced and flavorful bite.
Regional Variations: Date-filled ma’amoul is popular in the Levant, while pistachio and walnut versions are found throughout the Gulf.
Serving Tip: Ma’amoul is perfect with Arabic coffee or mint tea, and they make for a great festive gift as well.
5. Muhalabiya (Middle Eastern Milk Pudding)
Muhalabiya, also known as mahalabia, is a silky, creamy milk pudding that’s lightly sweetened and delicately flavored with rosewater or orange blossom water. It’s often topped with pistachios, almonds, or a sprinkle of cinnamon, which adds a subtle crunch and additional flavor.
Popular Variations: Some recipes include a touch of vanilla or cardamom, while others add a fruity syrup topping for color and flavor.
Serving Tip: Muhalabiya is best served chilled and makes a refreshing dessert, especially after a spicy meal.
6. Basbousa
Basbousa is a soft, semolina-based cake soaked in sugar syrup, known for its delicate sweetness and slightly crumbly texture. This dessert is popular across the Middle East and goes by different names, like hareeseh in Lebanon and revani in Turkey. The syrup used in basbousa often has a hint of rosewater or orange blossom, adding a subtle floral note. Almonds or coconut flakes are commonly added to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
Serving Tip: Serve basbousa with a dollop of coconut cream or plain yogurt for a delightful contrast.
7. Qatayef
Qatayef is a dessert often enjoyed during Ramadan. Essentially a stuffed pancake, qatayef can be filled with nuts, cheese, or sweet cream, then folded and fried or baked. The pancakes are then dipped in a sweet syrup, creating a crispy exterior and a soft, flavorful filling. The sweet cream version, known as atayef asafiri, is left open-faced, garnished with chopped pistachios, and often drizzled with honey.
Popular Fillings: Walnuts, cream, and sweet cheese are classic qatayef fillings, though some modern variations include chocolate or Nutella.
Serving Tip: Qatayef is best served warm. Enjoy it with black tea for a perfect pairing.
8. Ashta
Ashta is a thick, creamy dessert often used as a filling for other Middle Eastern sweets like qatayef and knafeh. Made from milk, cornstarch, and sometimes a touch of rosewater, ashta is both rich and refreshing. As a standalone dessert, it’s often served with honey, fresh fruit, or a sprinkling of pistachios.
Serving Tip: Ashta is incredibly versatile and pairs well with almost any fruit, especially berries and figs.
9. Turkish Delight (Lokum)
Though originating in Turkey, Turkish Delight has become a beloved dessert throughout the Middle East. These colorful, chewy candies are made from sugar, water, and starch, flavored with rose, lemon, or orange, and dusted with powdered sugar. Pistachios, hazelnuts, and other nuts are often embedded in the candy, giving it an extra crunch.
Popular Flavors: Rose and lemon are the most popular flavors, though there are many variations with nuts or spices.
Serving Tip: Turkish Delight pairs wonderfully with black tea or Arabic coffee.
10. Rice Pudding (Roz Bel Laban)
Rice pudding is a comforting dessert in the Middle East, with a creamy texture and gentle sweetness. Made by simmering rice, milk, and sugar together, the pudding is often flavored with cinnamon, cardamom, or rosewater for a delicate twist. It’s typically topped with chopped nuts, like almonds or pistachios, for added texture.
Regional Variations: Some recipes incorporate condensed milk for a richer consistency, while others add raisins or saffron.
Serving Tip: Enjoy rice pudding warm or chilled, and consider a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top.
11. Saffron Ice Cream
Known as bastani in Iran, saffron ice cream is a luxurious treat made from a creamy base flavored with saffron, rosewater, and sometimes pistachios. The ice cream has a beautiful yellow color from the saffron and is sometimes served with faloodeh, a Persian frozen noodle dessert.
Serving Tip: Saffron ice cream is perfect on its own but can also be paired with fresh fruit or nuts.
12. Figs with Tahini and Honey
This is a simple yet highly flavorful dessert, often enjoyed in the Levant. Fresh or dried figs are drizzled with tahini and honey, combining the natural sweetness of the figs with the nutty, rich flavor of tahini.
Serving Tip: This dessert pairs well with a cup of tea and can be garnished with chopped nuts.
Read Also: How Asian Cuisine is Changing Middle Eastern Palates
Conclusion
Middle Eastern desserts are a beautiful blend of textures, flavors, and aromas that create an unforgettable experience. Each dessert tells a story of tradition and cultural heritage, from the flaky layers of baklava to the creamy richness of muhalabiya. These desserts not only satisfy the sweet tooth but also offer a glimpse into the culinary artistry of the Middle East. Whether you’re a seasoned dessert enthusiast or new to these exotic flavors, the Middle Eastern sweets are sure to delight and inspire.
