Quick and easy dessert ideas for iftar this Ramadan

Breaking a day-long fast during Ramadan wouldn't be the same without a little sweet treat. Here are some quick and easy dessert ideas you can whip up for iftar, the meal breaking the fast, this Ramadan.

Qatayef with Nutella

Qatayef are a dessert found across the Middle East, with variations in the recipe. It usually consists of pancakes that are stuffed with sweet fillings like cream or mixed nuts, or even savoury fillings like mince, feta, spinach, and more.

The pancakes are then folded, and can be served as is or even fried and served with a simple syrup. In this instance, we are keeping it simple with a filling of Nutella.

READ MORE: Seven Australian Muslims share their favourite iftaar snack to break their fasts with during Ramadan

Here is what you'll need for six portions:

For the pancakes:

• 2 cups flour
• ½ cup fine semolina
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon blossom water

For the filling:

750 grams Nutella

For decoration:

• Sugar syrup (according to taste)
• Ground pistachio
• Candied blossom

READ MORE: Quick and easy breakfast ideas to prepare for suhoor this Ramadan

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Snack ideas from around the world to prepare for iftar

Steps:

1. In a bowl, mix the flour, semolina, baking powder, water and blossom water with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Leave the batter to rest for 30 minutes.
2. Using a heavy-based pan or griddle, pour a little batter on the hot surface until you get a circle of the size you want. Wait a few seconds until the base of the dough is golden and remove from the heat.
3. Leave the qatayef to cool completely.
4. Press the sides of each piece together firmly from the centre downwards and then fill the cavities with Nutella.
5. Sprinkle with the ground pistachio and sugar syrup, and decorate with the candied blossom before serving.

Shemai

Seviyan or shemai is a vermicelli pudding dish popular across the Indian subcontinent, and serves a as a comfort food for many. It is also really simple to make, coming together in 20 minutes or less – perfect to add to the iftaar table.

According to this recipe from TikTok food creator Bilal Bhatti, you must first melt some butter or ghee in a large pan and fry whole spices like cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks.

Once fragrant, add in your dry vermicelli noodles and toast until slightly darkened, then add some milk, which will form the base of your pudding.

Put the flame to medium and add sugar to taste, continuing to cook it until the consistency becomes thick. You can leave it plain like this or add in dates, almonds, pistachios, or shredded coconut, or even use those as garnishes.

Date Truffles

Dates are an essential part of Ramadan, as it is what the revered Prophet Muhammed chose to break his fast with, along with a glass of water.

READ MORE: What different cultures eat for iftar during Ramadan

Prophet Muhammed was the last prophet of Islam and was the person to whom the Quran was revealed. For this and his life's achievements, he is considered one of the most upstanding Muslim role models, with many Muslims trying to emulate his behaviour to earn the most rewards.

Though many choose to eat dates whole, some choose to spice it up by adding more ingredients or even using them in recipes, like these date truffles.

Here is what you'll need for six portions:

For the Truffles:

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 260 grams Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
• Pinch of sea salt

Coating Options:

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp crushed toasted pistachios
• 2 tbsp crushed toasted walnuts

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, add the chopped dates and simmer for 5 minutes until soft. Remove from heat and stir in cocoa powder, shredded coconut, and salt. Mix well.
• Scoop date purée by the teaspoonful and with slightly damp hands. Roll into bite-sized balls.
• Roll truffles in cocoa powder, pistachios and/or walnuts, then cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Drizzle with Nutella to decorate.

MAKE AHEAD OF RAMADAN: Can be made 1 week in advance.

Falooda

Falooda is also well known across the Indian subcontinent for being one of the most delicious refreshing treats – and though it has many components, many of them are already in your pantry or fridge.

It consists of layers of cooked vermicelli noodles, sweetened milk, syrups, soaked basil (or chia) seeds, and jelly, finished off with a dollop of ice cream as well as your choice of fruits and chopped nuts – perfectly presented in a glass so you can see your work of art.

Knafeh with Nutella

Knafeh is one of the most renowned desserts if the Arabic world, traditionally made with a spun pastry dough named kadayif, layered with cheese and soaked in a sugar syrup called attar.

This version is a variation on the classic, pairing the crunchy pastry with sweet chocolate Nutella.

READ MORE: Questions you had about Ramadan, explained

Here is what you'll need for six portions:

• 500 grams Knafeh dough
• 750 grams Nutella
• Corn oil for frying

For decoration:

• Sugar syrup (according to taste)
• Ground pistachio
• Candied blossom

Steps:

• In a large frying pan, heat the corn oil (around 1.5 cm high) on a medium flame. Put a circular cookie cutter with a diameter of ca. 9 cm on a flat spoon and fill it with Konafa dough. Insert the spoon and the cutter in the oil until the Konafa turns a golden color. Turn to the other side until it's golden too. Repeat with the remaining quantity.
• Put the disks on a kitchen paper towel to remove excess oil and leave them to cool completely.
• Put the Nutella in a decoration funnel and pump some on half of the discs, then cover with the other discs.
• Sprinkle with the ground pistachio and sugar syrup, and garnish with the candied blossom before serving.

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