Ramadan Recipes: Honey dumplings

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Updated 07 April 2022
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Ramadan Recipes: Honey dumplings

Luqaimat — meaning “small bites” in Arabic — is a big favorite among Muslims, especially Saudis, when it comes to traditional Ramadan desserts.

This dumpling dish, which consists of fried dough balls sweetened with honey or date syrup and sometimes garnished with sesame or black seeds, is thought to have been developed in Baghdad, where it was originally known as “judge’s bite” because legal adjudicators received the treat as their first payment.

Other theories suggest the sweet treat came from Greece, arriving in Egypt via Greek bakeries in Alexandria before spreading to neighboring countries and the entire Gulf region.

Luqaimat is mostly made at home and eaten after iftar and the taraweeh prayer. People now sweeten the fried dough balls with sugar or maple syrup, or melted chocolate. Lotus, vanilla or pistachio sauce, or any type of jam are also popular sweeteners.

This sweet and simple dish has a simple recipe as well, with readily available ingredients. All you need is 225 grams of all-purpose flour, 15 grams of dry yeast, one cup of milk, chopped pistachios, and one cup of honey in a bowl as the main sweetener.

Mix the flour and dry yeast in a bowl before adding the milk, and knead the dough until firm. Leave it to prove for one hour.

After the dough doubles in size, place in a piping bag, and squeeze out the ball into the hot oil for frying. 

Stir and let the dough fry until it turns a golden color. Remove the luqaimat, add to the honey, mix, then place on the plate.

Garnish with chopped pistachio or another topping of your choice. 


Where We Are Going Today: Crozy

Updated 12 March 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Crozy

Some desserts look heavy before you even take a bite, but that was not the case at Crozy. From the first try, the pastries were airy, fluffy and light, offering a comforting taste without the feeling of consuming overly high-calorie sweets. 

The pastries lean toward a fruity and slightly sweet profile, avoiding the common pitfall of being overwhelmed by sugar. The texture is puffy and delicate, and I genuinely loved and savored my first bite. 

I opted for the berry filling, though the menu offers a variety of flavors. The balance between the fruitiness and the soft pastry made the experience feel indulgent yet surprisingly light. 

The coffee was another highlight. It had a dark, toasted profile with a rich and favorable coffee taste. What stood out most was the savory aftertaste, which lingered pleasantly and paired beautifully with the sweetness of the pastry. Together, the pastry and coffee created a wonderful combination. 

Crozy also stands out for its presentation. The packaging is stylish and thoughtfully designed, and the creativity in the flavors reflects a brand that clearly puts effort into both aesthetics and taste. 

Boxes are priced between SR95 ($25.30) and SR200, depending on the size and variety of pastries included. 

One downside is accessibility. The brand appears to have only one branch located in Dhahrat Al-Laban, meaning you may need to make a dedicated trip if you want to try it. It is also available via delivery apps.

While the pastries themselves are truly impressive, flavorful, light and beautifully presented, service consistency could improve. On one occasion, an order for creme brulee was substituted with pistachio because the original item was unavailable, which was disappointing. 

Despite this, Crozy delivers a memorable dessert experience. The flavors are creative, the pastries are deliciously light, and the coffee pairing makes it a place dessert lovers will likely find themselves returning to.