Desserts are a course that contains sweet foods & beverages. Many people would agree that their favorite part of a meal would be dessert. Even though the process that will soon lead to a mouth-watering dish may take several hours, it’s worth the patience.
Desserts usually contain relatively high amounts of fats & sugar, which may result in a higher calorie count per gram compared to the other foods. Fruit that is fresh or cooked, with a less amount of sugar or fat is an exception.
In ancient India, Mesopotamia & other ancient civilizations, Gods were known to be fed sweets. Before sugarcane was essential for the production of sweet treats, honey & dried fruit were used as sweeteners. In India, before 500 BCE, sugarcane was grown & refined. By 500 CE, sugarcane was then crystallized so that it could be easily transported. Sugar then became available to many other countries across the world. It had become a staple ingredient for cooking meals & baking desserts for a long period of time.
Sugar was highly priced & on special occasions the wealthy were the only ones that could indulge in sweetness. In 1381, the first recipe of an apple pie had been published.
Nowadays there are sugar substitutions referred to as artificial sweeteners. Due to the high percentage of diabetes, most people opt to the use of artificial sweeteners, as it does not drastically affect their blood sugar levels. Artificial sweeteners are also non-caloric & are found in many products today.
Desserts differ from country & region. Recipes for desserts have been past down to generations & with time, desserts have been modified. Some of the best known sweet treats are namely cupcakes, cakes, donuts, puddings, ice-creams, tarts, sweet meats & more.
TURKISH DELIGHT This Recipes Makes ±25 Pieces Turkish Delight – also known as Lokum are soft gum like pillows that are coated in confectionery (icing) sugar & corn flour. They are sweet & oh so good! If you watched The Chronicles Of Narnia then you most certainly know the hype around this treat. This…
QATAYEF This Recipe Makes ± 8 Qatayef is a decadent Middle Eastern dessert which is also referred to as katayef, qata’if or atayef. These sweet treats are often prepared during the month of Ramadan & served for Iftar. They are arabic style pancakes, similar to crumpets but they are only cooked on one…
CHANA MAGAJ This Recipe Makes ±30 Small Moulds Or 25 Small Squares Chana Magaj also known as Besan Burfee is a North Indian fudge with the main ingredient being Chana flour which is Chickpea flour or Gram flour. This sweet, Indian treat is made with a few ingredient’s but it does take some…
RAISIN DATE & NUT LADOOS This Recipe Makes ±12 Ladoos Raisin Date & Nut Ladoos is an Indian sweetmeat. These sweetmeats can be made on festive occasions. This sweet treat doesn’t take much time to prepare as there is no baking involved. It is also healthy without any added sugars – if omitting the…
PERSIAN CHICKPEA BISCUITS This Recipe Makes ± 28 Biscuits Persian Chickpea Biscuits also known as Nan-e Nokhodchi is a Persian or more specifically, an Iranian biscuit (cookie) that is usually made for Nowrouz, the Persian New Year. Don’t let the chickpea component put you off. The chickpea flour will result in a crumbly,…
AIR FRYER CHOCOLATE CHIP SCONES This Recipes Makes ± 12 Scones Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Scones – yup you read that right! I love scones & my absolute favourite appliance right now is my Instant Vortex Air Fryer. I wanted to give the baking option a go on my Air Fryer & thought why…
NON ALCOHOLIC TIRAMISU This Recipe Makes ± 12 Slices Tiramisu is one of my absolute favourite desserts. If you haven’t tried it as yet then this is your sign to head into the kitchen & whip some up! Tiramisu is an Italian dessert made with Lady Finger biscuits also known as savoiardi or boudoirs.…
SEMOLINA CAKE This Indian Dessert Recipe Serves 6-9 This Semolina Cake is scrumptiously simple to make, yet extraordinarily great. Semolina cakes have a fluffy texture that is particularly unique in relation to cakes made with plain flour. It is also referred to as Soji cake in South Africa, Basbousa or Hareesa in the Middle…
COCONUT MACAROON NESTS This Recipe Makes ± 45 Macaroons If you are a coconut lover then these Coconut Macaroon Nests are a must try. This is a great Easter idea that both kids & adults will enjoy. It is a quick & easy recipe that is so delicious & fun to make.…
SWEETIE PIES This Recipe Makes 7-8 Sweetie Pies also known as Cutie Pies are little melt in your mouth treats. They usually retail for about R12 at local South African supermarkets. Sweetie Pies are by the Beyers brand which is whipped crème on a wafer biscuit, covered in chocolate & the Cutie…