Eid-ul-Fitr Sweet Treats: Top 10 Desserts from Around the World

Eid-Ul-Fitr is one of the two largest celebrations in the Muslim calendar. Both holidays are called Eid, but Eid-Ul-Fitr is followed by Eid-Al-Adha. The former falls in the 10th month, as per the Muslim calendar and Eid-Al-Adha, seventy days later, in the 12th. 

Speaking of Eid-Ul-Fitr, this festival of breaking the fast is also called ‘sugar feast’, ‘Sweet Eid’, and ‘Festival of Sweets’, owing to the variety of desserts prepared and offered during this time. 

This tradition was started by Muslims in Medina, Saudi Arabia and dates and honey were their preferred sweeteners. The scientific reason is that these sweeteners are great sources of energy, especially after a month of fasting. 

Honoring this festival, here are some of the best Eid-Ul-Fitr sweet treats curated by different Muslim cultures. 

Heartwarming and the food equivalent of warm hugs, Sheer Khurma or Sevaiyaan is a popular dessert among South Asian Muslims. This recipe uses milk, vermicelli, nuts and dried fruits, with some ghee, dates, and aromatic spices like cardamom. 

Many prefer indulging in this treat right after the prayer, for brunch. To make this, milk is heated until it reaches a boil. Nuts and dried fruits are roasted in ghee, along with dates (or sugar, as preferred). This is followed by vermicelli and milk and some cardamom powder. This is cooked until it thickens, and the beauty of this dessert is that it can be served warm or chilled.

Dates are rightly called nature’s candies. While these taste great by themselves, some prefer taking them up a notch with stuffings. Not only does it make the dates more filling but, but 10 times more delicious. Some add nut butter, crushed nuts, rose petals, melted chocolate, cream cheese, honey, among other commonly used toppings. 

Originally renowned as a Greek delicacy, Baklava is quite common among North Americans and in Turkey. In the earlier years, cities in Istanbul used to host Baklava Parades on the 15th of Ramadan. While now most families go for store-bought Baklava, traditionally they prepared this delicacy in their kitchens. A big tray was made from scratch with a personal touch, each family added. 

Kuih Lapis (Kue Lapis) is essentially a steamed cake. But preparing this is so time and effort-consuming that it is prepared and consumed only during special occasions like Eid. 

The main ingredients are rice flour, sago, coconut milk, eggs, and sugar. Once ready, this looks like a multicolor cake and develops a jelly-like texture, owing to the ingredients used. Lapis is just one variety, but there are several other types of Kuih. 

Sweet rice is a dish when rice is cooked with saffron and sugar. It results in a dessert called shole zard. Sometimes, during occasions or special holidays, nuts and dried fruits may also be added to enhance the richness and festive feel. 

This is popular in Senegal and better known as lakh. This sweet porridge is made by using curdled milk and millets. Consumed right after performing the prayer, this is topped with baobab fruit. 

Another traditional specialty, fatira and cambaabur bread are an African staple. These are thin, crepe-like pancakes that are topped with honey and served with fatira. A variation of this is pancake sprinkled with sugar and yogurt. 

 

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By its name, you’d think it has its origins in Turkey. But Turkish Delights are said to have been originated in Iran. These are bite-sized desserts that are sprinkled with sugar and have a jelly or marshmallow-like softness in the bite. 

Sambusa Hilwa or Briouat are relished in the Arabian Gulf. These are triangle-shaped fried doughs stuffed with a sweet filling. The crust is not flavored, but the filling balances it out really well. 

The filling generally consists of fruits like pears or apples with some sugar syrup-soaked nuts. 

Easily the quickest and easiest dessert recipe, Nishallo needs just three ingredients. It is made with egg whites, sugar, and plant roots like licorice. Egg whites are whipped until soft peaks are formed. Sugar and licorice are added during the process and it achieves a soft, marshmallow-like fluffiness. This is served with naan which makes it a complete meal or a sweet end to the meal. 

That’s all, these were some of the most popular Eid-Ul-Fitr desserts that made us drool too. While some require tons of ingredients and elaborate processes, there are a few that call for just three ingredients and take less than five minutes to whip up. Which of these delish recipes would you try?