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Qamar Al Din pudding recipe – smooth Middle Eastern apricot dessert topped with pistachios

Qamar Al Din Pudding Recipe (Easy, Authentic Apricot Dessert)

Qamar Al Din pudding is a smooth and refreshing Middle Eastern apricot dessert made from apricot paste (also known as qamar al deen), sugar, and cornstarch. This easy, no-bake recipe is especially popular during Ramadan and comes together with just a few simple ingredients. Served chilled and topped with nuts, it has a silky texture and naturally sweet flavor that makes it a perfect make-ahead dessert for any occasion.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12 people
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 130
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 400 g qamar al din (apricot sheets) - chopped
  • 4 cups water
  • 4 tbsp sugar - adjust to taste
  • 5 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 cup water - to dissolve cornstarch
Optional Toppings:
  • Crushed pistachios
  • Sliced almonds
  • Shredded coconut
  • Raisins

Method
 

  1. Place the chopped qamar al din in a pot.
    chopped qamar al din apricot sheets
  2. Pour water over it.
    Soaking qamar al din apricot sheets in water before blending
  3. Blend it over medium heat for 10 minutes until softened.
    Add sugar. Stir to combine.
    Blending qamar al din mixture until smooth for apricot pudding recipe
  4. In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in cold water.
    Cornstarch mixture for apricot pudding recipe
  5. Add the cornstarch mixture to the pot and stir well.
    Stirring apricot pudding with cornstarch to achieve smooth texture
  6. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens to a pudding consistency ( about 5 minutes).
    Cooking qamar al din pudding mixture in saucepan until thickened
  7. Pour into serving bowls or a large dish.
    Let cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours until set.
    Pouring qamar al din pudding into serving bowls before chilling
  8. Garnish with pistachios, almonds, shredded coconut, or raisins before serving.
    Easy Qamar Al Din pudding (meshmesheya) served chilled with crushed nuts

Notes

  • Stir constantly to prevent lumps and achieve a silky texture.
  • Adjust sugar depending on how sweet your apricot sheets are.
  • For a firmer texture, slightly increase the cornstarch.