Ramzan brings with it a host of wonderful dishes and desserts. In Bahrain, like in most Middle-Eastern nations, the festival is a big affair, where people spill out on streets to dine at restaurants and bakeries, and spend time with family and friends. The island country, like its neighbouring nations, offers a spread of delectable dishes during the holy month. The dessert platters, though, often entice foodies the most. Whether it is the dates-filled Maamoul or the sumptuous Baklava, here are some must-try desserts Bahrain this Ramzan.

　　Ramzan Special: Desserts In Bahrain

　　Maamoul

　　No dessert from the Middle East skips dates! Maamoul is a delicate date-filled butter cookie that is served to guests in most households during Eid. They are usually paired with Arabic coffee and chocolate.

　　While the date variation is the most popular in Bahrain, other cookie versions come filled with nuts like pistachios, walnuts, and sometimes figs. The wheat-based cookie also uses semolina, a coarse flour made from durum wheat.

　　Bakers also use readymade molds to create the design on the exterior of these shortbread-style cookies. They are then dusted with powdered sugar. While sweet shops in Bahrain sell these sweet discs, others sell packaged varieties of this dessert.

　　Luqaimat or Awamat

　　Luqaimat, also called Awamat, are fried dough fritters that are crunchy on the outside, while soft and airy on the inside. They have an addictive appeal, tempting you to pop pieces one after the other. These dessert dumplings, believed to have originated in Saudi Arabia, are dunked in date syrup. The dessert also includes wheat, sugar, cornstarch, and yeast. They can be easily spotted on coffee tables in households across the Middle East, including Bahrain.

　　Lqimat Dahab, Luqaimat Gori Kark, and Golden Luqaimat are some of the best places in the small Gulf nation to try the dessert.

　　Umm Ali

　　Umm Ali translates to "Ali’s mother" in English. Eaten warm, one could call it an Arabic bread pudding made without eggs. Other ingredients include pasty dough, milk, sugar, nuts, and raisins.

　　The origins of this dessert go back to Egypt, but now the dish is a celebrated delicacy throughout the Middle East. During Eid, it is a common sight in most households and is usually paired with a hearty scoop of vanilla ice cream.

　　Legend has it that Umm Ali was the wife of the Egyptian Sultan, Izz Al-Din Aybak who plotted the murder of Shajar al-Durr, the Sultan’s second wife. The latter wanted sole control of Egypt but was denied by the Sultan. This was followed by the murder of the Sultan by his second wife, but her punishment was deterred. Finally when Shajar al-Durr died, Umm Ali made the dish to celebrate the second wife's death. Despite the dark history, the treat has is celebrated for its delicious flavours. In Bahrain, Zyara in Manama and Sheraton Bahrain Hotel's version of this creamy dessert are absolute must-tries.

　　Khanfaroosh

　　Khanfaroosh is a soft, spongy pancake-style dessert flavoured with cardamom and saffron. The dessert serves as a perfect companion for tea and coffee. It is usually eaten warm, straight out of the pan; sometimes, it is savoured when dipped in sugar syrup.

　　Khanfaroosh is made with wheat flour, rice flour, eggs, sugar, baking powder, and rosewater. Its spongy texture and lightness will win your heart. Most confectionery shops like Showaiter, and Halwachi in Muharraq; and Al Khulood in Manama sell these sweet treats.

　　Baklava

　　Baklava is a flaky, sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough, drenched in honey and garnished with chopped nuts of all kinds. This dessert has been influenced by various culinary cultures including Greek, Armenian, Turkish, Arab, and Persian among others.

　　The Arabs are believed to have introduced rosewater and orange blossom water to the dessert. While there are many locations in the country that serve varieties of the dish, Bahrainis often throng to Tariq Pastries in Qudaibiya, that has been serving baklava since 1983, for their share.