Bamieh is a mouth-watering Persian dessert famous for its distinctive textures and flavors. Deep-fried to perfection, these doughnut-like treats have a crispy exterior but are soft and juicy inside. They are soaked in syrup infused with rosewater, saffron, and lemon juice, creating a perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess, and floral notes. I’m showcasing Bamieh here…
Category: Dessert
Naan Nokhodchi – Cardamom chickpea cookies
Naan Nokhodchi, also known as Shirini Nokhodchi, are among the many delicious Persian cookies that are associated with celebration and hospitality. Flavored with cardamom and rose water, they are perfect with a cup of black tea or coffee, and are a great treat at any time of day. These small, delicate, and melt-in-your-mouth cookies are…
Faloodeh – Lime and rosewater granita with rice noodles
There is no shortage of western-style desserts in Iran, ranging from classic French pastries to cookies, cakes, pies, and ice creams. At the same time, there is an assortment of local and regional desserts that have long been part of Persian cuisine. Many of them have specific associations with special holidays, celebrations, or seasons. Faloodeh…
Sholeh Zard – Saffron and rosewater rice pudding
Sholeh Zard is a beloved and popular rice pudding that has all the quintessential flavors of a Persian dessert. Fragrant Persian rice is slowly simmered in a large body of water until it begins to soften. One by one, saffron, rosewater, and sugar find their way into the pot and diligently do their part to…
Shirini Napoleoni – Napoleon pastries
Shirini Napoleoni, or Napoleon pastries, are popular dessertys in Iran that are closely related to the French Mille-feuilles. The French name translates to “a thousand leaves”, referencing the layers of flaky and buttery puff pastry. Traditionally, a mille-feuille is made of three layers of puff pastry, alternating with two layers of crème pâtissière. The top…
Cake Yazdi – cardamom and rosewater cupcakes
Cake Yazdi is to Iranians what vanilla or chocolate cupcakes are to Americans! I have yet to serve this cupcake without sparking a twinkle in someone’s eye, followed by an ear-to-ear smile. For anyone of Iranian origin, this familiar little treat evokes sweet and tender emotions, often prompting nostalgic stories of a distant childhood spent…
Saffron and pear cake with Seville orange and pistachio frosting
There is so much to this cake, but not in the way you might think. It’s a simple cake, even if it does have some unique flavors. This cake tells the story of my life. Every ingredient, every choice, every combination, and every approach in the cooking method results from the experiences I have had…
Naan-e Keshmeshi – Rosewater and raisin cookies
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the most rewarding, and these rosewater and raisin cookies are just that. Cream the butter, mix in the eggs and remaining ingredients, and soon you’ll have buttery raisin cookies with a delicate hint of rose, known as Naan-e Keshmeshi. In Iran, these raisin cookies are everywhere, much like chocolate chip…
Naan Berenji – Rice flour cookies with rosewater and poppy seeds
These delicate, brittle cookies called Naan Berenji, have always been a part of Persian tables and gatherings for as long as I can remember. Most notably, they hold a special place on the Nowruz table (Persian New Year), alongside an array of other sweets, dried nuts, and fruits. They are so beloved in Iran that…
Cake Eshgh – Persian love cake
Today and every day we celebrate LOVE (Eshgh)! Maybe with a Persian love cake? Valentine’s day has come and gone and I am just getting around to posting this Persian love cake recipe on the blog. To state the obvious, Valentine’s day was not always a day that was celebrated in Iran and there was…