All posts tagged: Dessert

Noon-e Khame-i - Rose and Pistachio Persian Cream Puffs

Noon-e Khame-i – Rose and Pistachio Persian Cream Puffs

When Norooz arrives, our tea table is never complete without a platter of Noon-e Khame-i – Rose and Pistachio Persian Cream Puffs. These beautiful Persian cream puffs are made with a delicate choux pastry—light, airy, and baked with love. What makes my version special is the pastry itself. While many recipes rely on milk for the dough, I’ve found that a milk-free choux pastry results in an incredibly crisp and light shell that lets the flavors of the filling truly shine. Each puff is stuffed with freshly whipped sweet cream, infused with fragrant rosewater and crunchy chopped pistachios for a taste that is wonderfully creamy and floral. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and a sprinkle of bright green pistachios, they are the ultimate celebration treat. Bonus for busy bakers: You can even freeze the unbaked dough! Just let it thaw at room temperature before popping them in the oven for a fresh-baked taste anytime. From a dreamy Valentine’s Day dessert to a sophisticated Mother’s Day brunch, these Persian cream puffs are made for …

Nan-e Nokhodchi – Vegan & Gluten-Free Chickpea Cookies

Nan-e Nokhodchi – Vegan & Gluten-Free Chickpea Cookies

Eyde Azizan Mobarak! Happy Norooz! During the Persian New Year (Norooz), the air is filled with the scent of spring and the joy of Eyd Didani (visiting loved ones). If you’ve ever stepped into a Persian home during Norooz, you know that Nan-e Nokhodchi— Vegan & Gluten-Free Chickpea Cookies, those iconic, clover-shaped are the stars of the Haft-Sin table. In Iran, stopping by the local bakery to grab a fresh box of these treats for Did va Bazdid (visiting friends and family) is a cherished tradition. But there is something even more special about bringing a tray of homemade, melt-in-your-mouth Persian cookies to a celebration.

Saffron Bamieh and the Persian Engagement

Saffron Bamieh and the Persian Engagement

An engagement is truly one of the most beautiful days in a person’s life. In Persia, this special milestone is inseparable from the aroma of Saffron Bamieh. If you aren’t familiar with them, think of a Persian take on the Mexican Churro, but with a luxurious twist. While the shape may be similar, we refine our dough with precious saffron before frying it to a golden crisp. The magic happens next: a fragrant syrup of rosewater, saffron, cardamom, and honey drenches the warm pastries. In our culture, Saffron Bamieh, Zoolbia and the Persian engagement go together “like a lid on a pot.” It is the ultimate “must-eat” for every ceremony, though you will also find it gracing the tables of Norooz (Persian New Year) and Ramadan, usually served alongside its famous partner, Zoolbia. Today, I want to take you by the hand and lead you through my story of tradition—a journey into the vibrant, colorful world of 1001 Nights. Watch my prep video on Instagram 

Saffron Zoolbia زولبیا

Saffron Zoolbia زولبیا

Nowruz is just around the corner, and there is no better way to welcome the Persian New Year than with a touch of sweetness! This year, although Nowruz is overshadowed by recent events, we continue to uphold our traditions. We won’t let our spirit be taken from us. We carry on with our heritage, one golden spiral at a time. Saffron Zoolbia زولبیا is a beloved Persian sweet that holds a special place at the table during Nowruz, weddings and even at Ramadan. If you’ve ever tried the store-bought versions, you might find them a bit too heavy or sugary. My homemade Zoolbia recipe changes the game: Perfect Texture: Extra crispy on the outside, soft and airy on the inside. Balanced Sweetness: Not as cloying as bakery versions, allowing the spices to shine. Floral Aromas: Every bite releases a sticky, golden syrup infused with saffron, cardamom, and rosewater. It’s a sticky, crunchy, and fragrant experience that brings the authentic taste of Persian tradition right into your kitchen. These golden, shimmering spirals are traditionally served alongside …

Khanfaroush – Persian Saffron & Cardamom Pancakes

Khanfaroush – Persian Saffron & Cardamom Pancakes

When your kitchen smells of saffron, cardamom, and rose water, something special is happening. That’s the moment when my Khanfaroush – Persian Saffron & Cardamom Pancakes are not far away. These golden Persian pancakes are soft on the outside, moist on the inside, and full of warm oriental flavors. Made with a mix of rice flour and wheat flour, they bring a festive feeling straight to your brunch table. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or Easter brunch, Pancake Day (February 17), Mother’s Day, a cozy birthday brunch, or Christmas brunch, pancakes simply belong on the table. But honestly? They taste like happiness on any Sunday.

Baslogh Anar – Pomegranate & Pistachio Jelly Confection

Baslogh Anar – Pomegranate & Pistachio Jelly Confection

Cinnamon smells like Christmas. Rosewater carries you straight to the Middle East. And then there is pomegranate. Its deep ruby juice shines like liquid light. To me, it has always felt festive. Maybe because pomegranates symbolize luck and new beginnings in so many cultures. Or maybe because they always remind me of the longest night of the year: Shab-e Yalda. On Yalda Night, pomegranate takes center stage at our table. Fresh, juicy, symbolic – it’s everywhere and here I have a lot of Must-Eat recipes. And this year, my Baslogh Anar – Pomegranate & Pistachio Jelly Confection fits the occasion perfectly. Soft, jelly-like, gently sweet with a pleasant tang. Similar to Turkish Delight, but with a distinctly Persian soul and an extra touch of pomegranate magic. Here’s a little secret: With this recipe, I’m opening Door No. 15 of the Xmas Boom Advent Calendar. That’s where Christmas and Yalda meet. Candlelight, winter coziness, sweet treats – blended with oriental colors, stories, and traditions. Two festivals of light, warmth, and togetherness. Watch my prepvideo on Instagram

Shirini Mikado – Halva Wafers with Cocoa

Shirini Mikado – Halva Wafers with Cocoa

If you love the satisfying crack of crispy wafers, the warm aroma of cardamom, cinnamon, and vanilla, and soft chocolate that melts on your tongue, topped with pistachios and coconut, then Shirini Mikado – Halva Wafer Slices with Cocoa is just for you. The best part? You don’t even need to heat up your oven – just a simple pan will do. Today, I even have a gluten-free version for you, just as aromatic and irresistible as the original. It’s like a little short trip to the Orient – right in your kitchen. And honestly, who could resist crispy wafers with a delicate, melting filling? This recipe opens door number 11 of Zoras Culinary Advent Calendar. And the best part: there are plenty of fantastic prizes waiting to make your Advent even sweeter! Watch my prep video on Instagram

Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake

Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake

Today we’re celebrating a very special day: National Bundt Cake Day! I’m so excited to join Tina from Food & Co again this year. For this event, I baked a Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake with sour cream and whipping cream with a cream cheese frosting. If you’re a fan of cinnamon rolls, you’re going to love this recipe. I promise: the smell of warm cinnamon, the soft and tender texture, and the creamy frosting make every bite feel like a little moment of happiness. I’ve baked this cake several times already, sometimes even in the middle of the night because the aroma is simply irresistible. Watch my Prep Reel on Instagram

Sholeh Zard – Persian Saffron Rice Pudding

Sholeh Zard – Persian Saffron Rice Pudding

Are you still on the hunt for the perfect dessert to top off your Christmas dinner? One that will wow your guests and is so simple to cook? If you’re looking for something special for your Christmas dinner, I’d highly recommend Sholeh Zard – Persian Saffron Rice Pudding. This Persian dessert will bring a magical atmosphere to your festive table with its golden yellow color and wonderful aroma. The name alone is poetic: sholeh means flame, zard means yellow – that means yellow flame. And that’s what it looks like when the bright saffron rice pudding is in a bowl. Can you see the flames dancing? Watch my preparation video on Instagram