Desserts from the UAE embody culture, tradition, and creativity. They have sweet pastries that vary in flavor from syrupy to nutty. Whether a local citizen or a tourist, the UAE dessert selection is unmissable. Here is a summary of the unarguable highlights of the country which show the love for tasty food.
Knafeh: An Exquisite Middle Eastern Dessert
One can hardly find a dessert as delectable as Knafeh and it is one of the most popular dishes in the UAE. It has a golden brown pastry base and is filled either with cheese or custard, it is then topped with rose or orange blossom syrup. Knafeh is enjoyed warm and is popular comfort food in the Knafeh.
Baklava: Taste The Sweetness
A dessert without limits is what Baklava is, it is equally relished in the UAE and the rest of the Middle Eastern countries. Baklava is the finest representation of balance between sweetness and crunch. This scrumptious dish served all across the Emirates comes in many sizes and shapes. It is made with thin, crispy dough filled with a sweet mixture of nuts (pistachios, almonds or walnuts) and finally topped off with either honey or syrup.
Luqaimat: Little Joy Bites
Recognized as the best delicacy of the UAE, Luqaimat are deep-fried dough balls that are crispy on the outside but doughy and soft on the inside. These golden nuggets that are extremely revered during Ramadan are often served with honey or date syrup and topped off with sesame seeds.The combination of the syrup’s sweetness and the tender taste of the fried twirls makes this dessert downright impossible to resist.
Dates: The Sweet Symbol of Hospitality
In the UAE, dates are more than a casual treat; they epitomize generosity. Dates are served as traditional sweets and are of different types, each with its flavor. Pastries are often filled with dates and arabic coffee is sweetened with them to give a rich natural flavor. There are other sweet desserts made out of dates too like Khabeesa, a sweet spiced semolina dish made with dates and Mahmoul, butter cookies filled with date paste.
Halwa: A rich Tradition
There are different types of Halwa available in the UAE, but none can trump Carrot Halwa (Gajar ka Halwa). It is a rich dessert made by slow-cooking grated carrots with milk, sugar, and ghee till it turns into a thick sweet pudding. Cashew nuts and Almonds are added to make it even richer and this is a customary dessert consumed by several family members during special occasions.
Basbousa – A Sweet Semolina Cake
The sweet semolina basbousa is an ideal accompaniment to hot beverages such as tea or Arabic coffee. In the UAE, the moist semolina cake is one of the most common bakery items enjoyed with sugar syrup, coconut and or rose water. Sweet in taste, and light in structure, the cake is suitable for anyone looking for a not too heavy dessert.
Camel Milk Chocolates – A Taste of Luxury
In the UAE, Camel Milk Chocolates are undoubtedly one of the best-known exotic dishes. This is something worth tasting since it combines the sweetness of rich and creamy camel milk with the smoothness of chocolate. Due to the lower fat and higher protein content camels milk has than cow milk, the chocolate has a unique caramel taste. The UAE is known for its unique blend of contemporary and traditional tastes, and Camel Milk Chocolates are a perfect representation of that.
Kunafa – The Ultimate Oriental Indulgence
Kunafa is another variant of Knafeh and it is smaller version of Knafeh. It consists of Sweet syrup soaked shredded filo dough which contains cheese or custard in layers. Topped off with pistachios, this dessert is indulgent and full of flavor. Its served hot, and sweet which makes it one of the first choices for a sweet tooth.
Dessert lovers will surely enjoy the dessert options available in the UAE which include Knafeh and Camel Milk Chocolate as they represent the different traditions and cultures in the area. The UAE is certainly a must-visit location for people who enjoy indulging themselves.