A single bite has the potential to change the lowest day into a bright one.
Yes, you guessed it right, I’m talking about desserts, and today I’m bringing Egyptian desserts to you.
Egypt is known for its unique and diverse collection of cuisines that contain unique combinations of ingredients.
Some sweet dishes are thoroughly Egyptian, while others exhibit a wide range of cultures and traditions.
Their desserts are mostly made of natural ingredients and are loaded with flavor.
Each bite will be delicious and worth it.
Do try the Semolina Cake and Coconut Cake for all the cake fans.
Are you thinking of trying something completely new then try out Kunafa, Atayaf, and Kahk.
Below is a list to satisfy your sweet tooth, coming right from Egypt.
1. Basbousa
The word “Basbousa” means “small kiss” in Arabic.
This sweet dish is a must-have at the Egyptian feasts and festivals not only for the Muslims but also for Christians.
Basbousa is a soft and spongy cake made from coarse semolina flour.
In some other countries in the Middle East, this famous cake is also known as Nammoura and Hareeseh.
This recipe combines three main ingredients: semolina flour, yogurt, and coconut flakes.
A simple syrup sweetens the cake, and rose water adds a traditional and tangy flavor to this unique cake.
It is traditional to garnish this cake with pistachios or almonds, and it is almost always cut and served in a diamond shape.
2. Kunafa
Kunafa is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, a dessert from Egypt.
Layer with phyllo dough, then fill with a creamy milk pudding.
A sweet syrup is drizzled on top of the whole dish, and nuts such as pistachios are used to garnish this delicacy.
There are also contemporary versions of this classic dish available which might take less time than this one and taste just as sweet.
You can also stuff this kunafa with ashta or a ground nut mixture to make a variation of this recipe.
Ashta is a famous Arabian filling made of raw milk, which is a significant ingredient in most of the desserts made in the Middle east.
Try out this unique sweet dish; you will be delighted by its sweet, layered flavor and crisp crumb.
Couscous is a staple in Egyptian cuisines, just like rice in Asian cooking.
This version of couscous is a sweet and flavorful dessert with multiple ingredients.
Butter, sugar, and water are added to plain couscous, then garnished with dry fruit like pistachios, nuts, and raisins.
This sweet couscous is prepared on the eve of the new year in many homes in Egypt as a family tradition.
It is a tradition to serve two dishes in the new year, one white and the other green.
The white one symbolizes peace, and the green one shows prosperity.
This couscous is usually served as a white dish.
Fetir Meshaltet is a flaky layered pastry that can have many variations of fillings, both savory and sweet.
In this recipe, sugar is added to the main ingredients, flour, ghee, and salt, to make a delicious dessert.
You can also fill these pastries with halwa, chocolate, and raisins to make a variation that all family members can enjoy.
This pastry’s history goes back to ancient Egypt when it was called feteer maltoot and offered to Egyptian gods.
From that time until now, different versions of feteer meshaltet have been made and savored by people all around Egypt.
This dessert is made from a roll of sweet cheese dough, and usually filled with clotted cream.
These beautiful white rolls are then decorated with pistachios and rose petal jam.
A special syrup is flavored with orange blossom and rose water, drizzled on top of these sweet little rolls.
This delicacy is a must-try on your trip to Egypt because of its delicious flavor and beautiful presentation.
This sweet dish will take almost an hour to make, but the results are remarkable.
If you plan to decorate your dinner table with something unique and eye-catching, then you should try this recipe.
6. Atayef
Atayef is Egyptian pancakes made in a unique style.
They are also sometimes called Qatayef.
These special pancakes are filled with white cheese and nuts and then fried or baked.
In the end, these are dipped in sugar and rose water syrup to give the traditional touch of middle eastern flavors.
These are usually crescent-shaped.
Atayef is prepared chiefly only during the month of Ramadan in Egypt.
People use different fillings for Atayef, but the most common ones are “joz” and “jibneh.”
“Joz” are cinnamon walnuts, and “jibneh” is unsalted white cow cheese, which you must soak in water to get rid of the salt.
7. Umm Ali
The roots of this dish go back to almost the 12th century in Egypt, and various stories circulate regarding this dessert.
“Umm, Ali” literally means “Ali’s mother.”
Some people say it was the name of one of the ruler’s wives, while others say it was a woman who lived in the town.
This dish is a bread pudding that is loaded with nuts and raisins.
After trying this dessert, you will appreciate the Egyptian cooking and its diversified flavors.
8. Ghorayebah
Ghorayebah is an Egyptian butter cookie that is mildly sweet.
They are bite-size and will melt in your mouth when you eat them.
This recipe requires minimal effort with three essential ingredients and will yield 35 small cookies.
These cookies will not last for the next day since they are so delicious.
All you need is flour, sugar, and ghee, clarified butter.
You can also add nuts like almonds to make these cookies more fancy and rich in flavor.
9. Kahk
Kahk is a traditional biscuit made in Egypt on Eid ul Fitr and is celebrated by the Muslims every year.
These cookies are soft and have different fillings, such as honey or dates.
Some versions also contain Turkish delight as a filling in these biscuits.
In this recipe, you will find these cookies with three different fillings: dates, honey, and walnuts.
It is a tradition to serve these biscuits at different occasions, parties, and family celebrations.
10. Lokma
The history of this dessert dates back to the Abbasid Caliphate of the 13th century, where its recipe is found in some of the books of that time.
The dough in this recipe contains a raising agent; it is then fried, dipped in a delicious syrup made of honey, and then topped with cinnamon and nuts.
Some effort is involved in making this delicacy which is why it is usually prepared for special occasions, even in Egypt.
This dish is famous because, in history, it was prepared for the Caliphs and special royal people, making it a delicacy for us.
11. Khoshaf
Khoshaf is like a dried fruit compote.
A finger-licking combination of dates, dried apricot, prunes, and figs give a great taste.
You can also add nuts and fresh fruits to make it more prosperous and enjoyable.
This dessert is traditionally prepared in Egypt during Ramadan to break the fast.
People have created different versions of this dish in Egypt that suit their family and their specific taste buds and preferences.
12. Rice Pudding
This sweet and classic middle eastern Rice Pudding is a must-try, especially if you have a diverse sweet tooth.
The delicious combination of rice flour, sugar, and milk is popular in many countries.
This simple dish will take 2 hours to make and will be worth all the effort.
Just try it once, and you will fall in love with the flavors of this cuisine.
You can garnish this yummy dessert with any nuts of your choice.
13. Coconut Cake
This typical Coconut Cake is famous in Egypt for its soft, spongy texture and sweet flavor.
The desiccated coconut on top of the cake makes it even more appealing, and you wouldn’t want to miss this one.
This cake is excellent, especially for tea time and after-dinner dessert.
Your family and friends will appreciate the coconut flavor, making this cake very light and refreshing.
The bottom line
This vast collection of beautiful textures and flavors from the desserts of Egypt will mesmerize you with its uniqueness.
Try some of these and enjoy the diversity of food in our world.
Want a broader taste of Egypt? Try our epic collection of Egyptian recipes here.
13 BEST Egyptian Dessert Recipe Assortment
Grab your apron and let’s walk through a tidy list of Egyptian Desserts, from Basbousa cake to cheesy, nutty Atayef!
Ingredients
- Basbousa
- Kunafa
- New Year Couscous
- Fetir Meshaltet
- Halawat El Jian
- Atayef
- Umm Ali
- Ghorayebah
- Kahk
- Lokma
- Khoshaf
- Rice Pudding
- Coconut Cake
Instructions
- Scroll for your favorite recipe from our list of Egyptian Desserts.
- Pick out the ingredients needed for the dish.
- Make one then enjoy immediately!