These popular Middle Eastern desserts are a great place to start if you are looking for sweet ideas to serve during Eid. Many families across the region prepare a few desserts to share with guests and bring to gatherings during the holiday. Middle Eastern kitchens are known for syrupy pastries, nut-filled treats, and simple creamy milk desserts. From well-known classics to traditional favorites, these desserts add a sweet touch to Eid celebrations.
Baklava
Baklava is a very popular Turkish sweet dating back to the Ottoman Empire, featuring flaky filo pastry layers, nuts, and syrup. This version is made with ready-made filo pastries and is perfect for you if you don't have time to make your own filo pastry sheets. However, if you want to learn how to make authentic walnut baklava from scratch using a rolling pin, check out my Homemade Turkish Baklava Recipe.
To learn more: Easy Turkish Pistachio Baklava
Turkish Delight
Turkish Delight is a sweet, slightly chewy confection made from sugar, starch, and water. It comes in different colors, shapes, textures, and flavors, with popular ones including rosewater, nuts, and lemon. Usually, it's cut into small cubes and dusted with powdered sugar or coconut to keep them from sticking together. You can enjoy Lokum on its own or with a glass of Turkish Tea - Cay.
To learn more: Homemade Elderflower Turkish Delight (Lokum)
Kadaif Dessert
Kadaif Dessert, (or Turkish Tel Kadayif), is a popular and unique Turkish dessert typically served during the holy month of Ramadan. It is made with layers of crispy, shredded filo pastry base filled with a rich and nutty walnut mixture, and then baked until crispy. The dessert is then soaked in a sweet syrup, adding an extra layer of flavor and moisture.
To learn more: Kadaif Dessert - Turkish Tel Kadayif
Sekerpare
Şekerpare is a soft syrupy cookie made with butter, eggs, semolina, flour, and sugar. The dough is shaped into small pieces, baked until lightly golden, then soaked in syrup while still warm. You’ll see these cookies in bakeries and on menus all over Turkey.
You can also make Şekerpare at home with this simple recipe, using basic ingredients and very little prep.
To learn more: Sekerpare (Turkish Semolina Cookies)
Baklava Rolls
Sari Burma Baklava Rolls, known as Saragli in Greek cuisine and Burma Baklava in Turkish cuisine, are a delicious twist on the classic layered baklava. They’re made with flaky phyllo dough, a filling of finely chopped nuts, and soaked in a fragrant syrup.
To learn more: Sari Burma Baklava Rolls
Tulumba
'Tulumba Tatlisi' is a traditional Turkish fried dough dessert famous for its crispy texture and syrupy sweetness. This popular street food is made from mini choux pastry dough balls, piped into cold oil, fried, and then dipped in sweet syrup.
To learn more: Tulumba Tatlisi - Turkish Fried Dough Dessert
Muhallebi
Muhallebi Dessert is a light, creamy, and delicious milk pudding that's popular throughout Turkey and the Middle East. This popular milk dessert recipe only requires 5 ingredients and comes together in just 20 minutes.
To learn more: Muhallebi - Mahalabia Dessert
Un Helvasi
Un Helvası, or Turkish Flour Halva, is very easy to make, extremely delicious, and made with just four ingredients—flour, butter, sugar, and milk. It is traditionally made for special occasions such as funerals, weddings, or Ramadan.
To learn more: Un Helvası - Turkish Flour Halva
Qatayef - Middle Eastern Stuffed Pancakes
Qatayef (also spelt Atayef or Katayef) are small, stuffed pancakes that are popular in Middle Eastern cuisine, especially during festive occasions and Ramadan. In Turkey, they’re known as Taş Kadayıf Tatlısı. They’re versatile, delicious, and quite simple to make at home.
To learn more: Qatayef - Middle Eastern Stuffed Pancakes
Revani
Revani Cake - Turkish Semolina Cake is a popular Mediterranean dessert made with semolina flour, sugar, and eggs, soaked with orange-flavored syrup, and then cut into diamonds or squares.
To learn more: Revani - Turkish Semolina Cake
Lokma
Lokma Dessert, or Fried Sweet Dough Balls, is made with a simple yeast dough that’s deep-fried until golden and crisp, then coated in syrup or honey. These little bites are light, airy, and just a little sticky-sweet in the best way. With only a handful of pantry ingredients and some resting time for the dough, you can make this classic treat at home and enjoy it warm and fresh.
To learn more: Lokma Dessert - Fried Sweet Dough Balls
Cold Baklava
Soğuk Baklava, or “Cold Baklava with Milk,” is a lighter, milk-based take on the traditional Turkish dessert Pistachio Baklava. Instead of the usual sugar syrup, it’s soaked in a cool, sweetened milk mixture and served chilled.
To learn more: Soğuk Baklava - Cold Baklava with Milk
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