Muhalabieh is a creamy Middle Eastern milk pudding infused with rosewater and topped with crushed pistachios.
MIDDLE EASTERN DESSERTS
In the Middle East people like to add roses to desserts. Rose petals, rose syrup, rose water and even rose jam are used. Pistachios are also very commonly used, they are either sprinkled over desserts or added to make cookies, baklava, yogurts, and ice cream.
This recipe is my Mum’s recipe. Although my Mum is Russian but she lived in Jordan for a while now. She loves Middle Eastern cuisine and in Jordan, she learned how to cook delicious Levantine dishes. I remember when I was a child my mum used to make this Middle Eastern milk pudding recipe infused with rose water, and always generously topped it with pistachios. This dessert is called Muhalabieh.
MUHALABIEH
The recipe is very frugal and simple. It’s made from ingredients that you probably already have in your cupboards. It’s basically made with milk, sugar, rose water and corn starch. Cooking these 4 ingredients together will result in this exotic dessert with a hint of rose water and the most beautiful garnishes. I adore the color of the crushed pistachios with the rose petals, but the garnishes can, of course, be altered. You can add almonds, desiccated coconut, pomegranate seeds or even cocoa nibs!
In this post I’m sharing the traditional recipe with you, it’s the recipe that we usually make at home and very similar to what you would get if you order it at a restaurant or a cafe or buy it from a store. However, if you are trying to cut down on calories and make a lighter version, reduce the amount of sugar to 2 tbsp instead of 100 grams and use fresh semi-skimmed milk.
I personally like to eat Muhalabieh when it’s chilled, but some people like to have it warm right after it’s cooked. I also created this video to show you step by step how I make Muhalabieh.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Muhalabieh (Middle Eastern Milk Pudding Dessert)
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500 ml) milk
- ½ cup (100 grams) sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornflour
- 1 tablespoon rose water
- pistachios and rose petals for garnish
Instructions
- Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the sugar, cornflour and rose water.
- Whisk continuously until the milk starts thickening. Do not leave the stove as the milk can get burnt easily.
- Once the milk starts to thicken and get a cream-like consistency, remove from heat. The cream won't be super thick at this point but don't worry it will thicken when it's chilled.
- Prepare 4 (completely dry) glass bowls, and divide the mixture between them.
- Let the mixture cool down at room temperature for about half an hour, then transfer to the fridge and chill for at least 2 hours.
- When the pudding is completely chilled, flip over on a plate and garnish with chopped pistachios and rose petals if desired.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
NoMi says
This looks great! Can I use double cream to replace half the milk for a richer and creamier pudding? I also wanted to reduce the sugar by half- do you think that will affect the thickness and result in a thinner pudding?
Diana says
I haven’t tried this with double cream so I’m not sure how it will turn out, I would probably use single cream for a richer pudding. You can use less sugar, that shouldn’t affect the thickness, just the taste.
Yasmin says
do you mean cornflour or corn starch? thank you. I am really looking forward trying your version of a childhood memory.
Diana says
Hi Yasmin, in the UK it’s called cornflour, in the US it’s cornstarch. So it depends on where you live. In Arabic, it’s called “Nasha”. Enjoy!
Yasmin says
Thank you. I tried the recipe but sadly, I think my homemade rosewater was too weak. Even after 4 tbsp of rosewater, there was no flavor. So I just added several tbsp of cocoa. It’s still chilling so fingers crossed it works out. I look forward to trying your other recipes. I am looking for a good recipe for Pad Thai, especially the peanut sauce if you have one. Shukron Be well.
Matthew says
Perfect proportions for the dessert – thank you! I toasted the crushed pistachios with melted butter and sugar – sublime combination!
Sarah says
I tried this but increaseing the amount so I did it with 2L of milk and the measurements to go along with that amount.. unfortunately it didn’t set what did i do wrong? 🙁 please help
Diana says
Hi Sarah, I’m sorry to hear it didn’t set. Were you able to get it to a thick cream consistency as you cooked it?