Eid al-Fitr 2025: Sweeten Your Iftar With Traditional Lebanese Dessert Layali Lubnan

Eid Al-Fitr 2025: Ramadan, one of the most auspicious month in the Muslim calendar, is underway bringing joy and togetherness.

Devotees around the world come together on this month-long special occasion to fast and pray for their soul and families, perform charity, etc.

The day is observed with prayers, reflection, and the sharing of sweet delights in the evening with loved  ones.

To elevate your Iftar meal, here’s a quick guide to create a special traditional Lebanese dessert Layali Lubnan.

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Semolina Pudding Layer

• 1 cup Fine Semolina
• 5 cups Milk
• 2 tbsp Sugar
• 1/4 tsp Ground Mastic optional but recommended
• 1 tsp Orange Blossom Water, optional but recommended.

Ashta Topping---

• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp Corn Starch
• 2 tbsp Sugar

Topping---

• 3/4 cup Crushed Pistachios

Simple Syrup---

• 2 cups Sugar
• 1 cup Water
• 1 tsp Orange blossom water, adjust to your preference

Instructions

• Mix all the ashta ingredients in a pot with a whisk without any heat at first until there are no lumps. Then, bring to medium-high heat and keep whisking until it starts to thicken, which should take about 5 minutes. It should look creamy and pourable. If you like, add a drizzle of orange blossom water at this point and stir.
• Remove ashta from pot and place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to avoid the ashta developing a skin layer on top. Let it cool to the side while working on the semolina pudding.
• Add all the semolina pudding ingredients but the orange blossom water in a pot and stir together on medium-high heat until it thickens to a nice consistency that is pourable which can take about 10 minutes or so. Add the orange blossom water last and stir.
• Pour the semolina pudding into a 9 by 11 pan and spread it out evenly. Let it cool for 10 minutes. Then, layer the ashta on top and spread that out.
• Top with the crushed pistachios all over the top. Add more if necessary.
• Cover and let this cool in the fridge for 2 hours. Make the syrup in the meantime by mixing together the sugar and water. Let it come to a simmer for about 5-10 minutes until it slightly thickens. Add a hint of orange blossom water if you like and stir. Then drizzle all over the dessert as much as you like or drizzle to each person's slice. This is up to you.
• This dessert needs a simple syrup as it is not sweetened at all without the syrup. So be sure to serve with it drizzled with syrup! Store extra syrup in a jar and keep in the fridge.

Recipe credit: fufuskitchen