Mahalabia (Middle Eastern Milk Pudding) Recipe

Mahalabia, also known as Muhallabia, is a popular Middle Eastern dessert that is rich, creamy, and delicately flavored. It’s often served chilled, making it a refreshing treat, especially during the warmer months. Here’s how you can make this delicious dessert at home.

Ingredients:

• For the Pudding:

  • 4 cups of whole milk
  • 1/2 cup of sugar
  • 1/2 cup of cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons of rose water or orange blossom water (optional, for flavor)
  • 1/4 cup of water

• For Garnish:

  • Ground cinnamon (for dusting)
  • Crushed pistachios, almonds, or other nuts (optional)
  • Desiccated coconut (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry:

• In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water until it forms a smooth slurry. Set this aside.

Cook the Pudding:

• In a large saucepan, pour the milk and sugar. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly to ensure the sugar dissolves completely.
• Once the milk begins to simmer, reduce the heat to low. Gradually whisk in the cornstarch slurry, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Continue to cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
• If using, add the rose water or orange blossom water during the last few minutes of cooking and stir well to incorporate.

Set the Pudding:

• Once the pudding has thickened, remove it from the heat. Pour the mixture into individual serving bowls or a large serving dish. Smooth the top with a spoon or spatula.

Chill the Mahalabia:

• Allow the Mahalabia to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, or until fully chilled and set.

Garnish and Serve:

• Before serving, dust the top of the Mahalabia with ground cinnamon. You can also sprinkle crushed nuts or desiccated coconut on top for added texture and flavor.
• Serve the Mahalabia chilled and enjoy this creamy, fragrant dessert.

Tips and Variations:

• Flavors: You can experiment with different flavorings such as vanilla extract, saffron, or cardamom to give your Mahalabia a unique twist.
• Sweetness: Adjust the sugar according to your preference. You can also drizzle some honey or a simple syrup on top for extra sweetness.
• Texture: For a richer texture, you can replace part of the milk with cream.

Mahalabia is a versatile dessert that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with other Middle Eastern sweets. It’s simple to make yet full of flavor, making it a perfect ending to any meal.