Qatayef with Cream
Ashta
Delicate, ready-made qatayef (small pancakes) are filled with a rich, sweet ashta (clotted cream) and topped with crunchy pistachios, then drizzled with fragrant sugar syrup. A popular and easy dessert, especially during Ramadan.
🧂 Ingredients
- 12 Ready-made qatayef(Look for small, fresh qatayef pancakes. If frozen, thaw completely before use.)
- 400 g Ashta (Egyptian clotted cream)(If fresh ashta is unavailable, you can use thick mascarpone cheese or a homemade thick custard cream. Ensure it's well-chilled.)
- 100 g Pistachios(Shelled and roughly crushed. You can also use a mix of pistachios and walnuts.)
- 200 ml Sugar syrup (Attar)(A simple syrup made from equal parts sugar and water, simmered until slightly thickened, often flavored with rose water or orange blossom water. Store-bought is fine.)
- 1 tsp Rose water(Optional, for enhancing the syrup's fragrance. Add directly to the syrup or a small amount to the ashta.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the fillings and qatayef. Ensure your ashta is cold and firm. Roughly crush the pistachios. If your sugar syrup is very thick, you can warm it slightly to make it easier to drizzle.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Gently open each qatayef pancake. Hold one qatayef in your hand and carefully peel open the two layers to create a pocket. Be gentle to avoid tearing.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Fill the qatayef. Using a spoon, generously fill the pocket of each qatayef with the chilled ashta. Don't overfill, but ensure a good amount of cream is inside.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Seal and garnish. Pinch the open edges of each filled qatayef together to seal, forming a half-moon shape. Place the sealed qatayef on a serving platter. Sprinkle the crushed pistachios generously over the top of each qatayef.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Drizzle with syrup. Just before serving, drizzle the sugar syrup evenly over all the qatayef. Add the teaspoon of rose water to the syrup if using, and stir well before drizzling.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓This recipe is for the uncooked, fresh version of qatayef. For a fried version, the qatayef would be sealed and fried before filling.
- ✓Ensure the ashta is very cold and thick to prevent it from leaking out after filling.
- ✓Serve immediately after drizzling with syrup for the best texture and flavor.
- ✓Qatayef are traditionally served as an Iftar (breaking the fast) dessert during Ramadan.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Use a different cream filling such as sweetened ricotta cheese, mascarpone, or a thick vanilla pastry cream.
- Add finely chopped walnuts or almonds along with the pistachios.
- For a richer flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the ashta filling.
- Drizzle with melted chocolate or a chocolate syrup instead of or in addition to the sugar syrup.