As Eid falls on March 30 this year, Iftar dinner becomes all the more important as family and friends get together to break their fast. A balanced Iftar dinner has hydrating beverages, healthy foods, and, of course, rich desserts. Dessert is a part and parcel of the meal, and it comes with a sense of celebration and comfort after a long day of fasting.
Whereas the old-fashioned sweets need to be cooked slowly and prepared with so much fuss, today's hectic lifestyles call for speedy and convenient options. Quick and easy yet satisfying desserts can bring a festive flavor to your Iftar table without tying you up in the kitchen for long hours. If it's an old favorite made with a little shortcut or no-cook dish that takes mere minutes to assemble, there are numerous ways of having a sumptuous treat with minimal labor.
These are nine simple and quick desserts that will add warmth and luxury to your Iftar parties while making the preparation process stress-free.
A new twist on the traditional sheer khurma, this parfait alternates creamy milk-soaked vermicelli with nuts, dates, and whipped cream. Just cook vermicelli in milk, sweetened lightly with condensed milk and flavored with cardamom. Cool and layer it in glasses with crushed biscuits and a spoonful of whipped cream. Top with pistachios and saffron for a light yet authentic dessert that's prepared in minutes.
For a simple and fruity dessert, puree ripe mangoes with thick yogurt and honey to make a rich mousse. Chill it for an hour and garnish it with chopped nuts or a sprinkle of saffron syrup. The mango-yogurt mix provides a tangy-sweet contrast that's an ideal post-Iftar snack that's both light and rich.
Avoid the long traditional preparation and prepare instant malpua bites from pancake batter. Combine flour, sugar, and fennel seeds with milk to form a smooth batter. Fry spoonfuls in small quantity until golden and then sprinkle condensed milk and garnish chopped almonds. The little malpuas are crispy outside and soft inside, an instant favorite on any Iftar table.
Dates are a Ramadan staple and covering them in chocolate creates an easy but sophisticated dessert. Melt dark chocolate, dip seedless dates, and add crushed nuts or sea salt for a nice crunch. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to set before serving. This bite-sized dessert marries the sweetness of dates with the richness of chocolate for a great contrast in each bite.
Coconut ladoos require only three ingredients, and they're easy to make but full of richness. Blend desiccated coconut with condensed milk and a pinch of cardamom and shape into bite-sized balls. Dust them with more coconut for a stunning appearance. Soft, fragrant ladoos are ready in minutes and make for the perfect festive food at Iftar parties.
Phirni is an old-fashioned rice pudding but serving it in individual cups helps to quicken the chilling process. Grind soaked rice to a paste and heat with milk and sugar until thickened. Pour into small bowls and chill for one hour. Sprinkle saffron and nuts on top before serving. The creamy texture and cold serving make it a smooth and graceful dessert.
For a quick and healthy sweet treat, mash overripe bananas into pancake batter and fry small pancakes until golden. Drizzle with honey and top with chopped nuts. These soft and naturally sweet pancakes need no added sugar, making them a healthy Iftar dessert. Serve warm with a side of yogurt for an added creamy contrast.
A hybrid of the conventional falooda and ice cream, this sundae is easily put together. Stack basil seeds, vermicelli, rose syrup, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a high glass. Finish with chopped nuts and drizzle extra rose syrup for richness. This cold dessert is ideal for hot Ramadan nights and needs no cooking time.
For an indulgent and crunchy dessert, melt dark chocolate and pour it thinly onto a lined tray. Add a combination of chopped nuts, dried fruits, and crushed biscuits and set it in the fridge. When it's hardened, break it into shards and serve. This no-bake treat is simple to customize and provides a luxury feel to any Iftar spread.