RIYADH: As Eid Al-Fitr begins, an anticipated tradition is the selection of desserts to celebrate the holiday.
From traditional desserts to trendy lineups, families and bakeries are bracing for a fun exploration of recipes.
This year, a mix of new flavors ranging from pistachio to matcha are making their way into traditional dishes.
Women from different Arab countries spoke to Arab News about the easiest recipes to prepare for those new to baking, and the most popular desserts to keep an eye out for this year.
Jeddah local Azza Hassanein shared what she expects from the sweet scene of this year’s Eid.
“Traditional Eid desserts are not necessarily being replaced, but many are being reinvented with modern twists,” she said.
“Bakers and home cooks are experimenting by incorporating new ingredients into classic sweets.”
She added that flavors making their way into desserts this year include matcha, pistachio and even mango.
“For example, desserts like pistachio kunafa brownies combine the traditional flavors of kunafa with more contemporary dessert styles, creating something both familiar and innovative … mango has also become a popular flavor in many desserts, adding a refreshing twist to traditional sweets.”
The popularity of pistachio was echoed by Zein Khaizaran.
Based in Riyadh but with roots in Jordan, Khaizaran told Arab News: “People sometimes add ghraybeh; it’s delicious with a piece of pistachio in the center, as well as barazek.”
Khaizaran and Hassanein both echoed the notion that one of the traditional desserts which remain popular is the maamoul.
Ghalia Attas, owner of Jeddah bakery Sugar Rush, elaborated on the trending orders and menu options for Eid 2026.
The most popular requests this year have been “maamoul, date desserts, luqaimat and chocolate-based sweets, especially pistachio chocolate … modern dessert cups and elegant gift boxes with traditional flavors like kunafa, pistachio or dates.”
Noria Sebti, a Riyadh resident with Moroccan roots, highlighted this modern twist on traditional table-set sweets: “Traditional Eid sweets are still very much present, but now they come with new ingredients, different shapes, or modern presentations.”
Ruba Muhtasib, owner of Ms. Moh, another Jeddah-based bakery, spoke to Arab News about the trends her bakery is gearing up for this Eid.
“From what we’ve observed this season, customers are gravitating toward desserts that combine traditional spirit with a modern presentation.
“The focus is no longer only on a single dessert, but on offering a full table of sweets that can be shared during Eid gatherings.”
Muhtasib also highlighted the incorporation of new and trendy flavors into traditional dishes: “Some of the most exciting flavors today are those that combine nostalgia with creativity. We are seeing many desserts that mix traditional ingredients with modern pastry concepts, such as dates and caramel in cheesecakes or chocolate paired with tahini in brownies.”
