Leave Sheer Khurma and Kheer, try these 9 Eid desserts from around the globe

It feels like Ramazan only began and we’re already welcoming Eid. Also dubbed the Festival of Sweets or ‘Meethi (Sweet) Eid’, the annual celebration is considered a reward for all the self-reflection and fasting during the holy month and this time around, you don’t have to limit your sweet platter to just sheer khurma.

Every Muslim culture celebrates Eidul Fitr a little differently. For instance, Turkish people hand out candy and sugar-coated almonds to children while Moroccans indulge in sweet treats like Fekkas, Kaab el Ghazal and Ghoriba Bahla. Some desserts also hold symbolic importance, like in Indonesia, traditional delicacies like Ketupat are considered a symbol of blessings and forgiveness.

From butter cookies to spice-infused cakes and coconut milk jellies to sweet cheese delicacies, this mouth-watering list will make you have a sweet tooth – also, you can have your favourite sheer khurma any other day.

Kahk al-Eid

To begin with, this Egyptian cookie – literally called the cookie of Eid – has a circular shape, and a buttery crumb, and can be made plain or with a variety of fillings. The sweet delicacy also symbolises generosity and goodwill and is often exchanged between friends, families and neighbours on Eid. If you end up attempting the cookie, pro tip: don’t forget to dust them with lots and lots of powdered sugar!

Lokum

For all history geeks, this one comes with a small lesson! Lokum, a Turkish delight, is a popular Middle Eastern dessert that dates back to the Ottoman Empire. This delicate, jelly-like dessert comes in a variety of colours and flavours and is usually shaped into bite-sized cubes, it can also be rolled and cut into slices, or shaped into small balls – almost like tiny marshmallows.

Typically, it needs cornstarch, water, sugar, and lemon juice for the mixture to thicken up before adding flavourings, food colourings and toppings of choice. Flavourings include rose water, orange blossom water or fruit juice and are mandatory. When prepared, roll the small dice into cornstarch, powdered sugar, desiccated coconut, or ground or chopped nuts and voila – enjoy the mini treats!

Halawet el Jibn

This Lebanese sweet will be a winner for cheesecake lovers! Imagine a desi version of cheesecakes, wouldn’t it be awesome? Originating from Syria, Halawet el Jibn has a sweet cheese filling, combined with semolina dough and rosewater syrup, creating a unique and delightful flavour. You literally top it up with rose petals and rose water – a dish that tastes and smells heavenly, could we have asked for something more?

Koloocheh

Crescent and flower-shaped stuffed cookies? Bring them on! Perfect for breakfasts and snacks for guests visiting your house on this occasion, this Iranian cookie, often filled with dates or nuts, is a light on-the-go dessert. This Iranian cookie is a popular treat during Eid al-Fitr and other festive occasions. The cookies are often filled with dates or nuts and only require all-purpose flour, butter, vanilla bean paste, rosewater, and sugar to make. Fun fact: you can poke the cookie and make designs to decorate before it bakes!

Qatayef Asafiri

This one might be the best of them all! With its roots in Syria, this pancake-like -pastry is filled with sweet cheese and nuts, and the rosewater syrup adds a delicate floral flavour. You don’t need much to know about this one except that it’s a burst of flavours, all complementing each other perfectly!

Tufahije

When we said there’s something for everyone, we really meant it! Made of whole poached apples stuffed with caramelized walnuts and whipped cream, this epicurean delight is a key component of any Eid spread in Bosnia and the rest of the Balkans region. Some consider this dessert to have its origins in Persia. Although, it was introduced to the locals in the Balkans by Ottoman invaders during the conquest of the region.

Assida

This Moroccan dessert is your perfect alternative to kheer and Firni! Eid celebrations, in Morroco, are kicked off by having a bowl of this Bedouin-inspired sweet dish in the morning. It's essentially a thick porridge flavoured with butter, honey or date syrup that's typically eaten by hand. The dish is so popular that it now has several versions in Arabian Peninsula countries like Libya, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Lapis legit

A 20-layered spice, savoury and sweet mix that looks like a wafer? Yes, please. Doubling as a breakaway from Indonesia’s Dutch legacy, Lapis Legit is best described as a multi-layered spice-infused cake. Though firm to the touch, the 20-odd thin layers are buttery moist and laden with a mix of Indonesian spices. Although a little labour-intensive, this treat is worth every bite. While this one has plum, you can add any fruit jam.

Balah El Sham

Want churros for Eid this year? Ask your mom to make this Lebanese dessert instead! A popular choice during Eidul Fitr, this dish has a long-fried dough stuffed with sweet cheese, clotted cream, and nuts, and is drizzled with syrup, creating a rich and indulgent flavour.

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