6 Popular Desserts Made and Served in the UAE That Stay True to Their Middle Eastern Roots

Located between the confluence of trading routes and smack at the center of East and West, the United Arab Emirates is part of the Arabian peninsula sharing borders with Saudi Arabia and Oman. Naturally, the desserts are similar to their neighbors with certain local distinctions and major sugar and deep frying involved. The seven Emirates that comprise the UAE is made up of a federation of elected monarchies, and all share the love for a good old rich sugar syrup-drenched confection with a sprinkling of nuts, that the region is none for.

1. Baklava

Nothing compares to the heavenly sensation of baklava melting in your mouth and the sugar rush that follows immediately. As the crisp, buttery phyllo pastry dissolves on the tongue, the nutty, honeyed richness of the Baklava that lingers on it is what makes it so special. Developed during the Ottoman Empire, baklava has spread across regions to become a beloved dessert in many cultures. In the UAE, it holds special significance as both an artisanal craft and as a symbol of hospitality. Bite-sized and arranged in colorful displays, by vendors, baklava beckons you to indulge in its simple yet profound sweetness. Whether savored in bite-sized pieces or by the whole tray, each morsel leaves an impression long after the last crumb has disappeared.

2. Kenafa

Kunafa, also known as kanafeh, is a beloved dessert that originated in the Levantine countries, but is now a specialty in the United Arab Emirates. Bright orange and yellow, kunafa is made with delicate semolina strands that are stretched, pulled, and layered to form a thin pastry. It is then soaked and saturated in a sweet, aromatic sugar syrup. At the heart of every kunafa is a rich, molten cheese filling. Depending on the restaurant or shop, this can be a creamy cheese like cream cheese or a firmer variety like mozzarella. Sometimes the Kunafa is topped with chopped pistachios or other nuts that add more flavor to the already delicious kunafa. When you take your first bite, the hot pastry causes the molten cheese to ooze out and that is an absolute delight.

3. Chebab

Chebab is a popular Emirati pancake, traditionally served with cheese and honey for breakfast, the Emiratis absolutely love it across all ages. The batter for chebab contains ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and yogurt which give its trademark texture and turmeric, saffron and cardamom further enhance the flavor of the pancakes and give them their distinctive yellow color and floral flavor. Chebabs are usually eaten fresh and warm, with toppings like butter, honey, jam or date syrup. As a yeasted pancake, chebabs hold a unique place in Emirati cuisine.

4. Umm Ali

Translated to "Ali's Mother", the sweet treat gets its name from an interesting but dark story rooted in Egyptian history of scheming throne usurpers and rulers. But that is for another article; for now, let’s learn what this dish that celebrates revenge tastes like? It's described as a kind of bread pudding that surges in popularity during Ramadan, especially in Arab countries like the UAE. It's a fairly simple dessert that has pastry layers drenched in sweet milk with raisins, almonds, pistachio, and sometimes coconut thrown into the mix. It's often served with a foamy layer on top which is similar to sour cream.

5. Rice Pudding

It's all interconnected and rice pudding is one such dessert in the UAE that enjoys immense popularity, and is also enjoyed in many other cultures, which has a Persian touch or like in our country, indigenously made to offer as prasad in temples. It is made with rice, milk, cream, sugar, and often nuts. Rice pudding has been eaten for a long time to help upset stomachs and aid digestion in many cultures in Asia and in the UAE as well. The rice pudding ingredients are cooked together to make a sweet treat that is light on the stomach and oh-so-comforting. It can be served and eaten hot or cold, so you can enjoy it all year round. Rice pudding found in UAE restaurants sometimes includes saffron, cinnamon, nuts, honey, or cream as extras for more flavor and gives it a good aesthetic.

6. Maamoul

Maamoul is a traditional Middle Eastern shortbread cookie filled with dates, nuts, or a variety of other sweet fillings. It is a popular delicacy during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the two major Islamic holidays. Maamoul is also enjoyed throughout the year as a special treat or gift, just like our mithai ka dabba. In the UAE, maamoul is typically made with dates, which are a popular ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine. The dates are ground into a paste and mixed with nuts, spices, and sugar. The filling is then wrapped in dough and baked until golden brown. There are many different varieties of maamoul, each with its own unique flavor and shape.