Have you been wanting to branch out and try some new sweet treats?
Don’t forget about Lebanese desserts. The amazing food from this region never disappoints, and their desserts are just to die for!
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I was born in Lebanon, so these desserts hold a special place in my heart. As a busy mother of four growing kids, I cherish the moments when we all gather around the table to enjoy traditional Lebanese desserts together. In my family, sweets are so much more than just a treat - they are an opportunity to share laughter, create memories, and celebrate our heritage.
Mediterranean desserts have at times faced stereotypes of being overly sweet. But in my opinion, the recipes we’ll explore today are well-balanced on the taste buds – though still with plenty of sugar content!
Over the years, I've cooked many classic Lebanese dessert recipes - some simple, others more complex. I now have a list of desserts that I want to share with you. From velvety puddings perfumed with orange blossom water to layered filo dough pastries dripping with honey, there is something for everyone.
Just make sure to follow the instructions closely (at least the first time you make it) and don’t shy away from salt and butter when they’re called upon.
While a few recipes call for hard-to-find ingredients, most use pantry staples creatively combined with a taste of the region - spices like mahlab and mastic, or flower waters like rose and orange blossom. With a little effort, you can recreate authentic Lebanese flavors and aromas right in your home kitchen.
In this post, I’ll run you through my top picks for some classic Lebanese desserts. You’ll find everything from pastries and pudding to creamy, crumbly treats. There’s sure to be something for everyone.
1.Baklawa
This Lebanese Baklawa is perhaps the most iconic of the Middle Eastern sweets. The combination of sweet syrup and nutty butteriness is the reason for its beloved status.
To make it, spread a thick layer of blended walnuts mixed with sugar and ghee between sections of layered buttery filo pastry. You’ll then bake this on low for an hour or so.
Once it’s done, drizzle it with simple syrup and enjoy!
Want to mix it up a little? Try using pistachios instead of walnuts for a more complex flavor profile.
Just make sure to cut your Baklava into diamonds before baking. If you don’t, it will come out a bit too flakey and crumbly to section nicely.
Here’s another tip for the best homemade Baklawa ever: pour cooled syrup over the pastry when it’s still quite warm! This will prevent it from ending up too sticky and soggy for your liking.
2.Knafeh
Knafe just might be the most popular Mediterranean dessert after Baklava! If you’ve had the Turkish version, you’ll probably know it as Knüefe instead.
It also has some main ingredients in common with Baklawa (filo pastry and simple syrup), but other than that it couldn’t be more different!
To prepare Knafeh, spread buttered and shredded filo dough onto a round, tart pan. A cake dish will also do in a pinch – just be sure not to fill to the top.
Next, add a cheese and sugar mixture, bake, then flip and pour some syrup over your creation. Serve immediately for that iconic cheese pull and warm, sweet crunch!
This recipe uses mozzarella cheese for accessibility. However, if you can find Akawi cheese near you, use that for maximum authenticity!
3.Osmaliyi
Still craving buttery, stringy filo dough? Give Osmaliyi a try!
The recipe is so similar to Knafeh, but there are two important changes to remember:
First, it uses ashta (Middle Eastern sweet clotted cream) instead of the cheese mixture. Don’t worry if you can’t find premade ashta near you, as there’s a super simple recipe for it included in the link above!
Second, make sure to top the filling with pastry before baking. This gives you a buttery crunch on all sides and stops your filling from overheating.
This dish is ready in just an hour. You’ll be in for a treat with the roasted dough and flavorful ashta cream. It’s a combination you’ll never get tired of!
4.Maamoul
These soft and crumbly cookies are sure to quickly become a new favorite! Ma’amoul is commonly served during Eid Al-Fitr (the celebration at the end of Ramadan), so you know they’re really special.
The dough you’ll use here is similar to that in shortbread cookies, only with unique Middle Eastern traditional ingredients.
You’ll need flour, semolina, ghee (or butter), rose water, baking soda, and powdered sugar. Also try adding mahleb, an aromatic spice from cherry seeds!
Make loose, two-inch balls out of dough and fill them with a spoonful of date paste. Bake these for 20 minutes until golden, dust with powdered sugar – and enjoy!
Looking for a variety of flavors? Fill these instead with walnut or pistachio. These nuts will add subtle depth to the cookies for a truly irresistible treat.
If you’re hungry for another amazing cookie recipe, why not give Ghraybeh a go?!
5.Atayef
This dessert is sometimes called Middle Eastern Pancakes! They’re super quick and easy to make, so they’re a great choice if you want something to make in a pinch.
Preparing this decadent recipe is nearly foolproof! Just combine flour, baking powder, and sugar, then add some water and let rest for around 15 minutes.
Then, gently drop a couple of tablespoons of batter into a preheated pan and cook for one to two minutes. You don’t even need to flip them!
Once the pancakes are ready, stuff your atayef with ricotta cheese and rose water filling.
This next bit is important: pinch the ends of your atayef together about ¾ of the way through. You’ll have an easy-to-hold treat that’s filling and aesthetically pleasing at the same time!
Dip the atayef in crushed pistachios for added crunch; it’s the ultimate, easy Lebanese dessert!
6.Muhallabia
Looking for something creamier, richer, and smoother? Try Muhallabia! This personable pudding is the definition of a decadent delicacy.
It’s a pretty simple recipe as well! Simply make a slurry with cornstarch, then add milk, cream, and sugar in a sturdy pot.
Bring this to a boil, then simmer for a little under half an hour while stirring regularly. Add more cornstarch to thicken.
Pour some rose water before taking the dessert off the heat. Place the Muhallabia into dessert bowls and serving vessels before cooling for at least three hours to set.
Wow your guests by garnishing the treat with chopped pistachios or dried rose petals. You’ll have a treat that’s super delicious and very elegant — the perfect dish to round out a meal!
7.Meghli
Want a pudding with a bit more pizzazz? You’ll never go wrong with Meghli!
This dessert doesn’t just look great, it also has that flavor to boot. It provides a more powerful, spiced taste while still being rich and creamy smooth! And because it’s made using rice flour, Meghli is also (unintentionally) vegan.
Meghli is often served during a special birthday or celebration, or even just a special treat.
To whip up Meghli, combine rice flour, sugar, cinnamon, and caraway in a bowl and whisk in cold water. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower the heat, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes while stirring constantly.
Pour the pudding into serving vessels and refrigerate for at least four hours before serving.
Let your creativity run wild, as you can garnish Meghli with whatever you like! If you’re looking for something traditional, popular options include shredded coconut, crushed pistachios, slivered almonds, pine nuts, or golden raisins.
8.Sfouf
Also known as Lebanese turmeric cake, this light and soft cake is the perfect companion to a cup of tea. It’s easy to make, less sweet than most other options, and you don’t even need eggs!
Simply combine standard dry ingredients with equal parts regular flour and fine semolina, along with some turmeric.
Add your wet ingredients (milk, orange blossom water, water, and oil) and gently fold until combined. Pour into a cake pan lined with tahini and decorate with almonds or pine nuts before baking.
One of the best parts about this dessert is that you don’t need to spend a lot of time preparing it! It’s ready in about half an hour and you can focus on other things in the meantime.
9.Namoura
Here’s another fantastic cake and pudding option — Namoura. It’s a cake that uses only semolina flour for that trademark golden color and coarse crumbs to achieve a soft and fluffy treat!
It’s also eggless, and uses yogurt instead of milk – resulting in a more moist, dense cake.
Namoura is such an easy dessert to prepare. Mix and whisk together semolina, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.
Stir in some rose water and yogurt before baking for about half an hour. You know the cake is ready when the top layer has turned into a delicious golden brown.
Like Sfouf, Namoura is a great pastry to pair with tea and coffee – but it’s also a great treat by itself! Whether you’re serving it for guests or picky kids, Namoura will quickly become a favorite.
10.Layali Lubnan
Can’t choose between pudding and cake? Why not meet in the middle?
Layali Lubnan (or Lebanese Nights) is a famous and popular layered dessert that’s so simple to make.
Simply combine semolina, milk, sugar, and a little orange blossom water in a pot. Heat the mixture while stirring until smooth and thick, then pour into a Pyrex or sheet pan to cool.
Top with a layer of cream, heavy vanilla whipping cream, and a generous coating of pistachios.
Chill overnight or for at least six hours before serving to preserve distinct layers. Top with orange blossom and rose water simple syrup just before serving.
Your family and guests are sure to love this cake as it looks great and tastes heavenly! You can’t go wrong with serving this treat for any occasion.
11.Ghraybeh
Sure – we get the appeal of soft, fluffy pastries or decadent, luxurious treats. But there’s another type of simple Lebanese dessert that’s really worth your while: cookies that melt in your mouth!
Everyone, please give Ghraybeh a warm welcome. These white cookies are all about balance. They’re sweet (but not too sweet) and have a light buttery feel that makes every bite so enjoyable.
Ghraybeh is a delicious snack that’s also very easy to prepare; it only needs flour, confectioner sugar, ghee, and vanilla.
And the jewel on top? That’d be the pistachio nuts that add so much texture and crunchiness to the cookie!
If you’re looking for an easy-to-make snack that the kids (and kids at heart!) are sure to love, Ghraybeh won’t let you down.
12.Bouza Al-Haleeb
Craving something cool? This Lebanese ice cream recipe is sure to hit the spot!
You’ll need an ice cream maker for this one, but other than that, there’s no other specialized equipment.
To make it, combine crushed mastic, whole milk powder, water, sugar, heavy cream, cornstarch, and salep together in a saucepan.
Heat this to mix and thicken, then add rose water. Refrigerate to cool, then transfer to an ice cream maker.
Once you’ve created this cold and creamy treat, the final step is to top it with crushed pistachios or almonds. It’s the perfect refreshing snack for those hot summer days!
13.Aish El Saraya
This dessert is a little more complex, but it really pays off in the end. Aish El Saraya is such a classic favorite, and you’ll understand why once you’ve taken a bite.
The dish itself is made of sweetened breadcrumbs with a filling topping of decadent ashta. You’re truly in for a rollercoaster ride of flavors from a dessert that literally means “bread of the palaces”!
Making this dessert is surprisingly quick and easy. Simply layer sweetened rose water and orange blossom cream on top of sugary, crunch breadcrumbs.
Top this with rose petals and pistachios and enjoy the medley of delicate flavors. For a taste that’s a real highlight among Lebanese desserts, whip up Aish El Saraya for your next gathering!
📖 Recipe
13 Tasty Lebanese Desserts You Need to Try Now!
Ingredients
- Baklawa
- Knafeh
- Maamoul
- Atayef
- Muhallabia
- Meghli
- Sfouf
- Layali Lubnan
- Namoura
- Osmaliyi
- Ghraybeh
- Bouza Al-Haleeb
- Aish El Saraya
Instructions
- Pick one
- Enjoy
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