Lebanese Style Walnut Stuffed Baklawa baklawa ArabicSweets from www.pinterest.com
Introduction
Arabic sweets are famous for their unique taste and rich flavor. These sweets are popular throughout the Middle East and are enjoyed on special occasions such as weddings, Eid, and other festive events. Arabic sweets are known for their use of nuts, honey, and spices, which give them a distinct taste. In this article, we will walk you through some of the most popular Arabic sweets and provide you with easy-to-follow recipes to recreate these delicious treats at home.
Baklava
Baklava is a sweet pastry that is popular in many Middle Eastern countries. It is made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup. Baklava is a bit time-consuming to make, but the end result will be worth it. Here's how to make it:
Ingredients
1 lb. phyllo dough
1 ½ cups chopped nuts (walnuts or pistachios)
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. cinnamon powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Grease a baking dish with butter.
Unwrap the phyllo dough and cut it to fit the size of the baking dish.
In a bowl, mix the chopped nuts, cinnamon, and sugar.
Layer 5-6 sheets of phyllo dough in the baking dish, brushing each layer with melted butter.
Sprinkle 1/3 of the nut mixture on top of the phyllo layers.
Repeat the layering process with the remaining dough and nut mixture, ending with a layer of phyllo dough.
Cut the baklava into diamond shapes.
Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
In a saucepan, combine the water, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and honey. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Pour the hot syrup over the baked baklava and let it cool before serving.
Nutrition
One serving of baklava (1 piece) contains approximately 300 calories, 20g of fat, 25g of carbohydrates, and 5g of protein.
Kunafa
Kunafa is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert that is made of shredded phyllo dough, cheese, and sugar syrup. It is typically served during Ramadan or other special occasions. Here's how to make it:
Ingredients
1 lb. shredded phyllo dough (kataifi)
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 lb. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. rose water
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Grease a baking dish with butter.
Spread half of the shredded phyllo dough in the baking dish, pressing it down with your hands.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the phyllo dough.
Top the cheese with the remaining phyllo dough, pressing it down with your hands.
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, lemon juice, and rose water. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Pour the hot syrup over the baked kunafa and let it cool before serving.
Nutrition
One serving of kunafa (1 piece) contains approximately 400 calories, 25g of fat, 35g of carbohydrates, and 10g of protein.
Basbousa
Basbousa is a sweet cake that is popular in Egypt, Turkey, and other Middle Eastern countries. It is made of semolina, coconut, and syrup. Here's how to make it:
Ingredients
2 cups semolina
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup plain yogurt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. rose water
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Grease a baking dish with butter.
In a mixing bowl, mix the semolina, shredded coconut, sugar, melted butter, yogurt, baking powder, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Pour the mixture into the baking dish and press it down with your hands.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, lemon juice, and rose water. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Pour the hot syrup over the baked basbousa and let it cool before serving.
Nutrition
One serving of basbousa (1 piece) contains approximately 300 calories, 15g of fat, 35g of carbohydrates, and 5g of protein.
Conclusion
Arabic sweets are a delicious and unique addition to any dessert table. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want to treat yourself to something sweet, these recipes are easy to follow and will result in a delicious treat. Try making one or all of these recipes and impress your family and friends with your baking skills!
