Last-minute Eid dessert recipes

Eid is just around the corner, so let's make a quick checklist. Eid dress? Done! Zakat? Done! Inviting guests? Checked! Biriyani? Done! Sizzling kebabs? Yes! Dessert? Oh no! Guests will arrive soon, but you must whip up something sweet fast and panic mode on. But guess what? You don't need fancy ingredients or melting down in the kitchen to impress your loved ones. Here are three easy Eid dessert recipes for your sweet tooth. 

Umm Ali

Serving Size: 4-6 people

What You'll Need: 

• 1 sheet puff pastry/bread/ or leftover roti,
• 2 cups milk, 
• ½ cup cream (you can make some from the thick layer of boiled milk),
• ½ cup sugar,
• ½ cup mixed nuts (almonds, pistachios, walnuts chopped),
• Some raisins, 
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon,
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract,
• Coconut flakes and butter (optional). 

Method

Tear the puff pastry or bread into small pieces and put them in a baking dish. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). In a saucepan, heat the milk, add cream, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar and stir until sugar dissolves. Don't let it boil. Pour the mixture over bread pieces and press them a little to soak. Sprinkle nuts, coconut shavings, and raisins on top. If you have butter, drizzle some of it. Bake for 15-20 minutes until it's golden brown and bubbly. Serve it warm.

Basbousa

Serving size: 4-6 People

What You'll Need:

• 2 cups semolina (suji),
• 1 cup sugar,
• 1 cup plain yogurt,
• ¼cup melted butter,
• ½ teaspoon baking powder,
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract,
• ¼ cup almonds (for topping),
• ½ cup coconut shaving (optional).

What you need for the syrup:

• 1 cup sugar,
• ½ cup water,
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice,
• Rose water (Optional).

Method

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). For syrup, mix sugar and water and heat it until it dissolves. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then add lemon juice and rose water. Let the concoction cool. Mix semolina, sugar, coconut flakes, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a bowl to make the cake. Add yoghurt and melted butter to the dry ingredients and mix it well. Pour the batter into a greased baking dish and press almonds on top. Bake it for 30 minutes until the top is golden brown. Pour the sugar syrup on top and let it soak for 10 minutes before serving. Cut it into a diamond, square or your preferred shape and serve.

Chocolate Salami

Serving size: 6-7 People

What You'll Need:

• 1 packet of plain cookies,
• 200g dark chocolate,
• ½ cup butter,
• ¼ cup powdered sugar,
• ½ cup cocoa powder,
• 2 tablespoon milk,
• Chopped mixed nuts,
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Method:

Crush the cookies into small pieces to give them a salami look. Melt chocolate and butter in a pan. Stir in cocoa, milk, vanilla extract and sugar until smooth. Add crushed cookies and nuts and mix them well. Place the mixture on a sheet of parchment paper and roll it into a log shape. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Once firm, dust some powdered sugar on top, slice it and serve. 

Each of these desserts tells a story about their origin. These desserts may look complicated, but they are super easy. You can also make some desi desserts like Falooda, Fruit custard, Gulab jamoon, Shahi phirni, or Mango Sticky Rice. The secret ingredient to a perfect dessert is a sprinkle of love. With these simple recipes, you can end your Eid feast happily. So don't stress; put on your apron, gather your ingredients and start making these tiny drops of heaven. Ramadan Mubarak!

The writer can be found at rahmanmegh1234@gmail.com