Aish El Saraya is a beloved Middle Eastern no-bake dessert. It features toasted bread soaked in sweet simple syrup and crowned with a luscious layer of cream. Light, easy to prepare, and irresistibly delicious, it’s the perfect treat for any occasion.
One of the great things about this dessert is that it can be prepared ahead of time—up to a day or two before serving. In fact, the longer it rests in the fridge, the more flavorful it becomes.
When toasting the bread, you can leave the edges on or remove them before roasting. The choice is yours! You can use a toaster, oven, or air fryer to achieve the perfect golden color. The method doesn’t matter as long as the bread is evenly toasted.
Recipe Summary
Texture: Creamy and soft with a hint of crunch
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Cooling Time: 6-8 hours (or overnight)
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Flavor Profile: Sweet and floral
What is Aish El Saraya?
Aish El Saraya is a traditional Middle Eastern no-bake dessert that combines simplicity and elegance. It consists of layers of toasted bread soaked in fragrant simple syrup, topped with a rich, creamy ashta layer, and garnished with crushed nuts and rose petals. This dessert is known for its sweet and floral flavor profile, soft texture, and light yet indulgent taste. Aish El Saraya is a popular choice for gatherings, offering a delightful blend of sweetness and creaminess with minimal preparation effort.
Ingredients
Simple Syrup:
- Sugar: The base of the syrup, providing sweetness.
- Water: Used to dissolve the sugar and create the syrup.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a slight tang and balances the sweetness.
- Orange Blossom Water: A fragrant, floral essence that gives the syrup a Middle Eastern touch.
Ashta Cream:
- Whipping Cream: Provides richness and a creamy texture to the dessert.
- Full-Fat Milk: Adds depth and enhances the creaminess.
- Sugar: Sweetens the cream layer.
- Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent, creating the smooth, custard-like consistency of the ashta.
- Orange Blossom Water: Infuses the cream with a delicate floral aroma.
- Rose Water (Optional): Adds an extra layer of floral fragrance for a more traditional touch.
Topping:
- Crushed Pistachios or Nuts: Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor. Choose your favorite nuts for customization.
- Rose Petals: A beautiful and aromatic garnish that enhances the dessert’s presentation and flavor.
How to Make Aish El Saraya
1: Cut the edges of the bread if you prefer it without edges, then place it in a baking dish and toast in the oven until golden at 350°F.
2: While waiting for the bread, make the simple syrup by mixing sugar and water, bring it to a boil, then add lemon juice and orange blossom water.
3: Let it boil for another 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
4: Take the toasted bread out of the oven, ensuring both sides are golden. Pour all the simple syrup on top, making sure all the bread is soaked.
5: Begin making the ashta by mixing whipping cream, full-fat milk, sugar, cornstarch, and orange blossom water.
6: Mix everything together until combined, then turn on the heat.
7: Keep stirring until it thickens.
8:Pour the ashta evenly on top of the bread.
9:Sprinkle with crushed pistachios or any kind of nuts you like.
10: Decorate with rose petals.
11: Let it cool down completely.
12: Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 to 8 hours before serving or overnight.
Note:
- Using full-fat milk is recommended if you want that rich flavor in your dessert.
- You can use whipping cream instead of full-fat milk. So, instead of 2 cups whipping cream and 2 cups full-fat milk, use 4 cups whipping cream (IL).
- The bread can be toasted in the toaster, air fryer, or oven.
Tips And Tricks
- Perfect Toasting: For the best results, ensure the bread is toasted to a golden color on both sides. This helps it absorb the syrup evenly without becoming soggy. You can use an oven, toaster, or air fryer based on your preference.
- Even Syrup Distribution: Pour the syrup slowly and evenly over the toasted bread to ensure every piece is fully soaked. Use the back of a spoon to gently press the bread down if needed.
- Cream Consistency: Stir the ashta constantly while cooking to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth, thick consistency. If lumps form, strain the mixture before spreading it on the dessert.
- Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 6-8 hours or overnight. The longer it chills, the better the flavors meld together, making it even more delicious.
- Customizable Toppings: Crushed pistachios are traditional, but you can use almonds, walnuts, or even a mix of nuts. Toasting the nuts before garnishing enhances their flavor.
- Enhanced Fragrance: For a more aromatic dessert, slightly increase the amount of orange blossom water or rose water, but use sparingly to avoid overpowering the flavors.
- Make Ahead: This dessert is perfect for preparing a day or two in advance, making it a stress-free option for gatherings or events.
- Richness Adjustment: For a richer ashta, substitute full-fat milk with additional whipping cream. This will create an extra creamy and indulgent layer.
Variations
- Chocolate Twist: Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup or sprinkle grated chocolate on top of the ashta layer for a richer, more indulgent flavor.
- Coffee Infusion: Mix a small amount of espresso or coffee powder into the simple syrup for a coffee-flavored variation. Garnish with cocoa powder for a complementary touch.
- Nut Butter Layer: Spread a thin layer of almond or pistachio butter on the toasted bread before adding the syrup for added creaminess and a nutty flavor.
- Fruit Garnish: Top the dessert with fresh fruits like sliced strawberries, raspberries, or pomegranate seeds to add a burst of freshness and color.
- Caramel Delight: Replace the simple syrup with caramel syrup for a deeper, toffee-like sweetness. This works especially well with toasted almonds or pecans as a topping.
- Coconut Variation: Add a layer of toasted shredded coconut to the top or mix it into the ashta cream for a tropical twist.
How To Store Aish El Saraya
- Refrigeration:
- Store Aish El Saraya in an airtight container or cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap.
- Keep it refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain its freshness and flavor.
- Avoid Garnishing Early:
- If you plan to store the dessert for a few days, add toppings like nuts and rose petals just before serving to keep them fresh and crunchy.
- Individual Portions:
- For convenience, divide the dessert into individual servings before refrigerating. This makes it easier to serve and minimizes exposure to air.
- Freezing (Optional):
- While freezing is not ideal due to the creamy texture, you can freeze the base (bread with syrup) without the ashta cream for up to 1 month.
- Thaw in the refrigerator, then add fresh ashta and toppings before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t have orange blossom water or rose water, you can omit them or substitute them with a small amount of vanilla extract for a different flavor profile.
While you can use low-fat milk, full-fat milk is recommended for a richer and creamier ashta layer.
Constantly stir the ashta mixture while cooking to avoid lumps. If lumps form, strain the mixture before spreading it on the dessert.
Other Recipes to Try
Aish El Saraya
Ingredients
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon orange blossom water
Ashta cream
- 2 cups whipping cream
- 2 cups full fat milk
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 7 tablespoons corn starch
- 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
- 1 teaspoon rose water (optional)
Topping
- crushed pistachios or any kind of nuts that you like
- rose petals
Instructions
- Cut the edges of the bread if you prefer it without edges, then place it in a baking dish and toast in the oven until golden at 350°F.
- While waiting for the bread, make the simple syrup by mixing sugar and water, bring to a boil, then add lemon juice and orange blossom water.
- Let it boil for another 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Take the toasted bread out of the oven, ensuring both sides are golden. Pour all the simple syrup on top, making sure all the bread is soaked.
- Begin making the ashta by mixing whipping cream, full-fat milk, sugar, cornstarch, and orange blossom water.
- Mix everything together until combined, then turn on the heat.
- Keep stirring until it thickens.
- Pour the ashta evenly on top of the bread.
- Sprinkle with crushed pistachios or any kind of nuts you like.
- Decorate with rose petals.
- Let it cool down completely.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 to 8 hours before serving or overnight.
- Using full-fat milk is recommended if you want that rich flavor in your dessert. You can use whipping cream instead of full-fat milk. So, instead of 2 cups whipping cream and 2 cups full-fat milk, use 4 cups whipping cream (IL).The bread can be toasted in the toaster, air fryer or oven.
Notes
- Perfect Toasting: For the best results, ensure the bread is toasted to a golden color on both sides. This helps it absorb the syrup evenly without becoming soggy. You can use an oven, toaster, or air fryer based on your preference.
- Even Syrup Distribution: Pour the syrup slowly and evenly over the toasted bread to ensure every piece is fully soaked. Use the back of a spoon to gently press the bread down if needed.
- Cream Consistency: Stir the ashta constantly while cooking to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth, thick consistency. If lumps form, strain the mixture before spreading it on the dessert.
- Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 6-8 hours or overnight. The longer it chills, the better the flavors meld together, making it even more delicious.
- Customizable Toppings: Crushed pistachios are traditional, but you can use almonds, walnuts, or even a mix of nuts. Toasting the nuts before garnishing enhances their flavor.
- Enhanced Fragrance: For a more aromatic dessert, slightly increase the amount of orange blossom water or rose water, but use sparingly to avoid overpowering the flavors.
- Make Ahead: This dessert is perfect for preparing a day or two in advance, making it a stress-free option for gatherings or events.
- Richness Adjustment: For a richer ashta, substitute full-fat milk with additional whipping cream. This will create an extra creamy and indulgent layer.
So yummmmmy and easy to make…. thank you ❤️
Happy to hear that!
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