From Baklava Cheesecake to Chocolate Samosas, fusion desserts are a fantastic way to celebrate. Food bloggers are reimagining flavours for the future!
As Eid approaches, here are 24 fusion desserts inspired by flavours from across the Muslim World...
Gulab Jamun Gelato
Gulab jamun is a sweet deep fried dessert, originating in the Indian subcontinent and a type of mithai popular in India, Pakistan, the Maldives, and Bangladesh. Teamed with gelato it is a perfect blend of creamy cake’s deliciousness.
Image and recipe credit https://thetableofspice.com/recipes/gulab-jamun-gelato/
Kanafeh Cheesecake
New York cheesecake just got a Middle Eastern makeover! Sweet and crunchy kanafeh pastry, sandwiches rich and creamy keshta-topped cheesecake. A drizzle of a cinnamon and cardamom kissed sugar syrup ties the flavors together.
Image credit Kitchen Maestro Recipe credit https://cleobuttera.com/cakes/kanafeh-cheesecake/
Falooda Cake Truffles
This fusion cake is like biting into a cake version of falooda. The perfect fusion dessert for Eid or even Iftar. They are simple to make but incredibly flavourful.
Image and recipe credit https://zheelicious.com/falooda-cake-truffles/
Baklava Cheesecake
A delicious, scrumptious combination of creamy, tangy cheesecake and nutty, delicate baklava. With flaky, crispy pastry layers luxuriating in baklava syrup.
Image & recipe credit https://www.tashasartisanfoods.com/blog/baklava-cheesecake/
Ras Malai Macarons
These fusion macarons are inspired by flavours of the rich and indulgent South Asian dessert – Ras Malai – a milk-based dessert with flavors of cardamom, rose and saffron.
Image and recipe credit https://sprinklesandscribbles.com/ras-malai-macarons/
Pistachio Cake with Mohallabieh Cream
A take on the molten lava cake - this dessert has a major similarity with the lebanese dessert Aish el Saraya. The flavour combination of pistachios, rosewater and cinnamon gives this fusion cake an Arabic twist.
Image and recipe credit https://www.savoryandsweetfood.com/2015/11/05/pistachio-cake-with-mohallabieh-cream/
Mafroukeh Truffles
Mafroukeh is a Lebanese dessert made of semolina, pistachios, sugar and butter infused with sugar syrup, and rose water: It is filled with a cream called ashta. This is a delicious fusion take turning mafroukeh into truffles.
Image and recipe credit https://www.savoryandsweetfood.com/2018/11/08/mafroukeh-truffles/
Mango Panna Cotta with Sevivaan Kheer
A unique Indian fusion dessert where the fruity panna cotta meets creamy kheer. It is like a celebration of different flavors and textures in your mouth.
Image and recipe credit https://www.carveyourcraving.com/mango-panna-cotta-with-sevai-kheer/
Rose Marshmallows
Rose-flavoured homemade marshmallows are absolutely delightful! They are fluffy and perfectly sweetened with a hint and aroma rose. Top them off with edible rosebuds for the perfect treat!
Image and recipe credit https://sugarandcharm.com/homemade-marshmallows#wprm-recipe-container-47108
Paan Blancmange
A creamy and luscious eggless milk pudding flavoured with paan (betel leaf). It is a delicious, festive dessert every paan lover must try. The paan syrup can be made ahead and will keep in the refrigerator for about two weeks.
Image and recipe credit https://www.cupcakeree.com/blog/paan-blancmange-gluten-free
Persian Pistachio Cardamom Rose Loaf
A deliciously nutty pistachio loaf flavoured with aromatic cardamom and topped with a silky pink rose flavoured frosting. Decorated with chopped pistachios and pomegranate seeds to add a pretty pop of colour contrast.
Image and recipe credit https://nadiashealthykitchen.com/pistachio-cardamom-rose-loaf/
Chocolate Kanafeh Cookies
Kanafeh like you’ve never seen it before! These Chocolate Kanafeh Cookies are made from crunchy, buttery kanafeh crumbs and glorious melted chocolate. Add candied nuts to the mix for an elevated experience or keep them plain and simple.
Image and recipe credit https://cleobuttera.com/middle-eastern/chocolate-konafa-cookies/
Persian Pistachio Cream Puff
Made from delicately puffed up choux pastry piped full of a thick, sweet & ultra-creamy whipped pistachio white chocolate ganache. The whipped ganache is made with white chocolate that is melted into a ganache and infused with pistachio paste.
Image and recipe credit https://foodduchess.com/pistachio-cream-puffs/
Chocolate Samosa filled with Stewed Apple
Samosas dipped in chocolate covered with pistachio crumbs and filled with a cooked apple! A twist on apple pie.
Image and recipe credit https://www.instagram.com/p/CbNt3ySoPBA/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= @cookwithaims on Instagram
Pistachio, Orange Blossom & Pomegranate Delices
A delice is french term for a layered slice found in many forms of flavours & textures in all standard patisseries. The layered slice is an exercise in culinary harmony & this delice is a fusion of flavours from the Middle East.
Image and recipe credit https://thespoonandwhisk.blogspot.com/2017/03/pistachio-orange-blossom-and.html
Gajar Ka Halwa Cupcakes
Gajar ka halwa is a carrot dessert cooked with milk and sugar. It is seasoned with warm spices like cardamom, nutmeg & mixed with chopped nuts & raisins. These cupcakes are infused with the classic flavours of this traditional South Asian dessert.
Image and recipe credit https://sweetsimplemasala.com/gajar-halwa-cupcakes/
Pistachio Rosewater Madeleines
Buttery, fluffy & soft! These French-origin cakes are made with ground pistachios, pistachio extract & rosewater, giving them a Middle Eastern flavour vibe! Finished with a white chocolate dip and crushed pistachios.
Image & recipe credit https://foodduchess.com/pistachio-rosewater-madeleines/
Chocolate Burfi Bark
A lovely fusion dessert made with layers of chocolate burfi (peda) & white chocolate that’s topped off with dried fruits, flowers & spices! There’s strawberries for acidity, lavender buds for a great aroma, and chopped pistachio for an added saltiness.
Image and recipe credit https://naturallynidhi.com/chocolate-burfi-bark/amp/
Kulfi Ice Cream Cake
Kulfi is a traditional South Asian ice cream, but more denser. It is made by boiling milk over low heat for a long period, until it has reduced in volume, flavoured & frozen in small earthen pots. This is a fusion twist on traditional ice cream cake.
Image and recipe credit https://www.kitchenathoskins.com/kulfi-ice-cream-cake/
Molten Lava Basbousa Cake
The traditional Middle Eastern dessert basbousa with a slight twist. It has a molten chocolatey lava flowing from it. Sounds good, right? This fusion dessert looks and tastes good too.
Image credit and recipe https://www.savoryandsweetfood.com/2015/09/22/molten-lava-basbousa-semolina-cake/
Jalebi Ice Cream Sandwich
Sweet, crispy, and syrupy jalebi a classic South Asian sweet has been upgraded to an ice cream sandwich with crushed pistachios and a touch of gold leaf. A beautiful fusion of warm sticky deliciousness and cool sweetness.
Image and recipe credit https://thetockablog.com/2020/11/09/jalebi-ice-cream-sandwiches/
Baklava Brownie
Baklava is arguably one of the best desserts in the Middle East. This fusion of crunchy layers of phyllo dough filled with fudgy cinnamon-spiked hazelnut brownie and soaked in sweet honey becomes Brownie Baklava bliss.
Image credit Sarah Fennel recipe credit https://thebakermama.com/recipes/brownie-baklava/
Masala Chai Tres Leches Cake
A fusion twist on this latin milk soaked sponge cake with a soft and moist crumb. The cake is soaked in 3 kinds of milk (tres- three, leche- milk) & thats how it gets its name. This masala chai tres leche tastes like a cup of sweet milky chai.
Image and recipe credit https://sinfullyspicy.com/2021/10/29/masala-chai-tres-leches/
Baklava & Rose Tahini Stuffed Chocolate Dates
Chocolate covered stuffed Medjool dates make for a really tasty dessert. Here are 2 varieties of stuffed dates - one with an orange baklava filling & the other with rose infused tahini paste, topped with nuts & rose petals.
Image and recipe credit https://www.anikapannu.com/amp/baklava-rose-tahini-stuffed-chocolate-covered-dates