All posts tagged: Sweets

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.

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

Date Omelet and Date Spread – A Persian Breakfast for Mother’s Day

Date Omelet and Date Spread – A Persian Breakfast for Mother’s Day

Let’s continue with my date omelet and date spread – A Persian Breakfast for Mother’s Day. In the first part of this series, I showed you how to make tasty Ajil Granola, flatbread wraps with feta and herbs, and sour fruits for breakfast. Today, I’ll show you how to make the perfect Date Omelet and Date Spread – A Persian Breakfast for Mother’s Day (Gheysavah). A date omelet might sound strange – sweet mixed with salty and savory? But yes, it really tastes awesome! This mix of flavors is very common in Persian cuisine. The goal is always to find a nice balance. At the end, you can add a little cinnamon on top. If you like, add some date syrup too – it tastes so delicious. At the end of this post, I also share a beautiful and great-smelling gift idea. Watch my preparation Reel on Instagram

Ajil Granola – Persian breakfast for Mother’s Day

Ajil Granola – Persian breakfast for Mother’s Day

Are you looking of a special idea for Mother’s Day? Let your mom sleep in. While she rests, prepare a beautiful Persian breakfast. Surprise her by bringing it to her in bed. Use a silver tray and fill it with tasty Persian food. Make Ajil Granola – Persian breakfast for Mother’s Day with date syrup. Cook a sweet date omelette. Roll fresh herbs into wraps – this is called Sabzi Khordan. Add a piece of honeycomb with rose cream. Make a smooth date spread. Brew hot Persian tea with cardamom and rose petals. Finish the tray with a bright bouquet of roses. The flowers will bring color and joy to her morning. Watch my preparation video on Instagram

Pistachio Rolls with Creamy Pistachio Frosting

Pistachio Rolls with Creamy Pistachio Frosting

Happy National Pistachio Day! Today, on February 26th, we celebrate Pistachio Day – the perfect reason to enjoy these little green delights. Pistachios are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients and super versatile in the kitchen. To make this day extra special, I have a tasty recipe for you: fluffy Pistachio Rolls with Creamy Pistachio Frosting. These soft, sweet yeast rolls are filled with creamy pistachio spread and topped with crunchy chopped pistachios. To finish, they’re covered in a smooth pistachio cream frosting, drizzled with sweet white chocolate, and sprinkled with more pistachios for that perfect touch. A treat that’s simply irresistible – the best way to celebrate Pistachio Day deliciously! Watch my video 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

Festive Dubai Chocolate Dates

Festive Dubai Chocolate Dates

Imagine a cozy winter evening with a warm cup of tea, your favorite tunes playing in the background, and in front of you, a plate of shiny, festive dates packed with holiday spices and a satisfying crunch. These dates are filled with Kadayif, a Turkish shredded dough, creamy tahini, pistachio butter, and pistachio paste. You can already smell the Gingerbread spices in the air as you grab your first date. One bite, and you’ll feel like you’ve been whisked away to the vibrant markets of the Orient. That’s what makes Festive Dubai Dates so special – they combine sweetness, spice, and a touch of Middel East magic. They’re not just delicious but also add a warm, festive vibe that’s perfect for the holidays. Whether you’re entertaining friends or on the lookout for a unique gift, these dates will definitely wow everyone. So, why not spice up your holiday celebrations with a little taste of Dubai? Watch my preparation video on Instagram

Shirini Ghandi Qazvin - Simple Persian Sugar Cookies

Shirini Ghandi Qazvin – Simple Persian Sugar Cookies

Today, I’m opening the fifth door of the Culinary Advent Calendar from 1x umrühren bitte, aka Kochtopf.me, and behind it is a sweet treat from Iran: Shirini Ghandi Qazvin – Simple Persian Sugar Cookies (شیرینی قزوین) or Nan-e Ghandi (نون قندی). These little cookies are so delicate they practically melt in your mouth, and they’re super easy to whip up. You only need a handful of ingredients: flour, powdered sugar, shortening or coconut fat (the original is made with Ghee), and cardamom. It’s this simplicity that makes them special. Cardamom gives them a unique flavor, but if you’re not into that, they’re just as tasty with a splash of vanilla extract. The mix of cardamom scent and the gentle sweetness makes them stand out. The cool thing? You don’t have to let the dough rise, rest, or chill. So, give the recipe for these yummy Shirini Ghandi a try and see how they turn out! Watch my preparation video on Instagram