[RECIPE] Qatayif (Ramadan Pancakes)

Alright fam, this dessert is probably the most delicious dessert you will ever have. Ok, I might be biased because I grew up on it but you definitely want to give it a try!

This dessert is THE traditional Ramadan desert served in many Arab homes, particularly those originally from Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon. One of the reasons I love this dessert is because you can control the sugar content. The dough is unsweetened, the stuffing is only lightly sweetened but it gets its sweetness from the sugar syrup you put on top. So you can put a lot, a little, or none at all!

This dessert is traditionally deep fried but I love it baked with just a bit of oil either sprayed or brushed on. For a step by step in pics, check out the highlights on my Instagram feed!

You can stuff these with either a sweet cheese (found at Arab stores) or a sweetened crushed walnut mix (finely crushed walnuts + a bit of sugar + some cinnamon).

Alright on to the recipe! This makes about 15 – 3″ pancakes.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups warm water
• 1 teaspoon quick acting yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup fine semolina
• Oil spray or small amount oil to brush pancakes after filling

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in blender in order listed
2. Blend well and allow to sit (ideally covered in a towel) for 15 minutes to allow dough to rise
3. Heat griddle or frying pan on medium high heat
4. Pour pancakes to desired size (no larger than 3″ diameter)
5. Let cook until bubbles all pop (roughly 1 min)
6. Remove from pan and allow to cool (metal rack is great for this)
7. Once all made, stuff with cheese or walnut mix. To stuff, hold pancake in palm of hand and place filling in the middle. Fold over in half and press edgesto create a half moon
8. Lay in baking pan or sheet, brush or spray with oil and bake on 350F for about 15 minutes until Qatayif are crispy
9. Serve with a drizzle of sugar or honey syrup

Enjoy. So much.