Extravagance and luxury are some of the few things people chase when coming to the UAE. From their stunning desert safaris, brilliant architecture, and towering high-rise buildings, people come from around the world to experience the fantastic Arabic culture.
However, it cannot be fun without indulging in guilty pleasures. You must try some Arabic desserts in UAE that will leave your mouth wanting more.
They use recipes that have been refined over the years to reach their present brilliant forms. Most of the food and café outlets in the UAE offer these sweet delicacies.
Here are some of the 12 most popular and delicious desserts you will enjoy in the UAE.
Maamoul
It is only fitting if we start this list with Maamoul a baked Arabian sugary delicacy made from dates, spices, crushed nuts, honey, and flour.
Maamouls have always been a secret recipe of an Emirate grandmother passed down through generations to keep it alive. They are primarily prepared as cookies, but nowadays, chefs prepare them into decorative molds stuffed with crushed nuts, dates, and honey.
If ever in Dubai, consider visiting Al Hallab Restaurant and Sweets to enjoy an evening coffee with some maamoul.
Kunafa
Also referred to as Kanafeh, Kunafa is a mouthwatering delicacy made of a thick layer of cheese topped with shredded wheat and vermicelli noodles.
Depending on the restaurant offering the dish, they can use either mozzarella or cream cheese. The dessert is then best served with a coating of sweet sugar syrup for those with a sweet tooth.
Kunafa is a perfect breakfast delicacy often displayed in many Turkish or Arabic restaurants in the UAE.
So, If you are ever in Ras Al Khaimah, consider visiting Feras Sweets to enjoy the delicious Kunafa dessert.
Feteer
Ever thought of enjoying an Egyptian cuisine delicacy in a foreign land? If so, then you are in luck because Feteer, the Egyptian dessert in the UAE, is to die for.
Feteer is a pastry prepared using sugar, molasses, jam, honey, and cheese and topped with either mint or crushed nuts to make it memorable. This sweet dessert is baked in the oven and can be eaten with a beverage or various meat dishes, depending on your tastes and preferences.
Luqaimat (Logma)
Logma is widely available in the UAE. They are delicious deep-fried brown dumplings made with yeast-leavened dough balls and deep-frying till they are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
The balls are then dipped in date, sugar, or honey syrup for sweetness and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
This dessert is a favorite traditional Emirati meal mostly sold in Arabic restaurants. Be sure to try some while in the Emirates.
Basbousa
If you love cake, basbousa is a steal in the UAE.
It is a traditional Levantine cake commonly prepared from semolina, soaked in sugar syrup, garnished with almonds, and a sprinkle of powdered coconut.
Basbousa is best served with a side of yogurt or cold juice. If you are in Abu Dhabi, visit the Bake of Pastries & Sweets and order basbousa takeaway.
Chebab
Chebab are traditional Emirati desserts that are made similar to pancakes.
Like pancakes, chebab is prepared with flour, cardamon spices, and dates and fried perfectly in a pan. They are served best as breakfast or dinner delicacies with warm milk.
So, if you are ever in the mood for breakfast for dinner, chebab is a sweet choice that leaves your mouth watery and wanting more.
You can enjoy Chebab at Al-Fanar Restaurant & Cafe.
Mshabak
Suppose you visited the UAE during Ramadan; you may be lucky enough to enjoy mshabak, a Lebanese culinary dessert primarily prepared and eaten during the holy month.
Mshabak is a fried dough dish shaped in circular patterns and is best served with a coat of sweet syrup. You can enjoy this sweet dessert in restaurants or as a home-cooked dish.
It is a top Ramadan sweet you can enjoy at any time.
Bastani
During the hot summer months in UAE, ice cream delicacies are a trendy snack for individuals. For example, take bastani, a Middle Eastern ice cream delicacy in Dubai that can satiate your craving.
Bastani ice cream treat comprises vanilla, pistachio, saffron, rosewater, sugar, and milk and is best served while cold and sweetened with a drip of honey.
Sweet Dates
Dates are one of the most famous Arabian desserts in the UAE, often enjoyed during Ramadan and on regular days.
Sweet dates are used for baking other desserts such as maamoul or be enjoyed in their natural form, depending on your tastes and preferences.
So, whether you get dates in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah, your taste buds are on a ride to remember.
Qara’ ‘Asali
Qara’ ‘Asali is your best choice if you are in the mood for a pumpkin delicacy. It is a pumpkin pie made with butter, milk, pumpkin puree, flour, and sugar that is sweetened and baked to perfection.
The pie can be enjoyed with a side of heavy cream any time of the day.
Umm Ali
Umm Ali is a popular dessert loved by many and often served during Eid celebrations and other Muslim holidays.
It is a traditional Arabic pastry dessert originating from Egypt. It is prepared with creamy bread and butter to make a pudding layered in a large dish and garnished with dates or raisins, pistachios, and coconut flakes. The chef then pours milk, cream, and sugar to sweeten it and bake it till golden brown
Enjoy this hearty dessert at the Rwabina Restaurant and Café in Dubai.
Turkish Delight
Perhaps one of the best desserts in UAE is Turkish delight. This sweet dessert is a type of confection derived from starch and sugar and is loved by many Middle Eastern people.
The Turkish delight contains different flavors such as lemon, orange, and rosewater and comes in different colors and sizes. A bite of Turkish delight will keep you coming back for more.
Conclusion
If you have a sweet tooth and would like to indulge in sweet guilty pleasures while in the UAE, consider these 12 traditional Emirati sweets that will have you breaking the bank.
This list includes some of the most popular desserts and places you can find them across the UAE. If you are craving some cake, pie, ice cream, or pudding, these sweet Arabic Desserts may satiate your hunger and allow you to enjoy what UAE offers.
