Popular Arabic Sweets and Desserts
Have you ever wanted to try traditional Arabic sweets but haven’t been sure where to start? If you’re nodding right now, this is the article for you! Thanks to their nutritional benefits, many of the sweet treats on our list are particularly prevalent during Ramadan, but are certainly not exclusive to the Holy Month. These beauties are consumed all year round. And with ingredients like pistachios, sugar syrup, almonds and fried dough, it’s easy to see why. Right, without further ado, let’s tuck into our tasty list of popular Arabic sweets and desserts.
Popular Arabic Sweets
A little background on the sweet treats will come in handy whether you’re wanting to learn how to make them or simply looking to buy them from a store. So, here are all details of the most sought-after Arabic sweets and their names:
Kunafa
Also referred to as kanafeh, this is arguably the most popular Arabic dessert in the UAE. If you are a fan of cheese, this is too good to pass up. Finding a traditional sweet store that serves it is easy after a quick search of “Arabic sweets near me” on Google. Almost every traditional dessert store in the country offers kunafa. Its popularity isn’t surprising considering it’s comprised of a thick layer of white cheese with shredded wheat or vermicelli noodles. It’s often soaked in rose-flavoured or plain syrup.
Baklawa
Baklawa originates from Turkey and is also a popular Arabic delicacy. It’s easy to see why. This Arabic sweet dish is made from delicious layers of filo pastry topped with syrup and filled with nuts. You may have spotted various types of baklawa beautifully arranged in gift boxes in sweet shops across the country.
Katayef
Qatayef or katayef is an Arabic sweet that is commonly served during the month of Ramadan. Some describe it as a folded pancake or dumpling with a filling of nuts or cream. The pastry may also be filled with a mixture of pistachios, raisins, vanilla extract, or unsalted cheese. Another way of serving it is with a filling of whipped cream with scented syrup.
Maamoul
Almost every Arabic dessert originally started as a recipe that has been handed down over many generations. Maamoul is a prime example. It is also spelled as Ma’amoul; this is a butter-filled cookie made with semolina flour in a mould called labe. Depending on preferences, the dessert can be shaped like balls, flattened or domed cookies. These are also associated with Iftar meals during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr.
Basbousa
Basbousa is a traditional Levantine cake eaten commonly during family meals. It is cooked in a pan and made with semolina batter. Once baked, it is served with powdered coconut. The most popular variations are soaked in sugary syrup or almonds. Usually cut in diamond-shaped pieces, it’s the perfect light bite at the end of a meal.
Halawet El Jibin
Made with rolls of sweet cheesy dough, Halawaet El Jibin is another one of many Arabic sweets that you can add to your Suhoor or dinner table in the UAE. It is also often accompanied with pistachios or rose petal jam and perfumed with rose water.
Awama
The Arabic name for this sweet translates to “floater” in English, specifically because it floats to the surface while being fried. Awama is a Levantine dessert consisting of dough balls that are fried until they are golden and crisp. They are then coated with a deliciously simple syrup. It’s utterly impossible to just eat one! This Arabic sweet is also reasonably easy to make as it incorporates common kitchen ingredients like olive oil, active dry yeast, sugar and salt. All you have to do is buy pastry flour if you don’t have it already.
Umm Ali
Those who live in Dubai will probably be familiar with this item as it is served in most Arabic restaurants. Umm Ali is similar to bread pudding, which is popular in Western cultures. It uses sweetened croissants, which are layered in a large dish topped with ingredients like coconut, diced dates or pistachios. The pastry is often left to soak in a mix of cream, milk and sugar before it is baked. If you rather have it at home, you can accompany it with a traditional beverage. You can always rely on the best places to buy Arabic coffee in Dubai for options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to buy Arabic sweets in Dubai?
Arabic sweets are popularly consumed during Ramadan and Eid in Dubai. If you’d rather not make them yourself, you can always buy Arabic sweets in Dubai from Firas Sweets and other shops in the emirate. You can start with the best places for kunafa in Dubai.
Where to buy Arabic sweets in Abu Dhabi?
Head to any of these excellent sweet shops in Abu Dhabi. If you are trying them for the first time, you can start with shops selling the best kunafa in Abu Dhabi.
That concludes our review of popular Arabic sweets and desserts you can try in the UAE. For more updates on topics like Dubai’s culture, stay tuned to MyBayut!