If you haven’t had Sahlab before, you’re missing out! It is a delicious milk pudding popular in the Middle East. The ultimate cold-weather dessert drink and an ideal comfort food for chilly nights.
It is a creamy, lightly sweetened, and aromatic drink that fills you with warmth and spiced flavors. The famous milk pudding drink is easy to make either as a drink or spooned dessert depending on thickness.
This original recipe of Sahlab is the same recipe that people enjoyed for centuries in the Middle East. The only difference is that you no longer have to travel to the Middle East to enjoy it! The unique and rich taste of Sahlab results from the special blend of whole milk, cornstarch, sugar, and orange blossom. So, just add water, warm it up, and serve with cinnamon and nuts with rose petals garnish!
Soul-Warming Winter Drink
What Is Sahlab?
During the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century, people used this drink Sahlab for medicinal purposes. During the late 18th century, the beverage was served in English cafes before the development of tea and coffee, referred to as ‘Saloop’ in England.
Sahlab is a thick, creamy milk pudding that is usually served hot so that it can warm you up. It is an excellent choice for breakfast, dessert, or even as a snack. This Lebanese version is a simple version of milk with a bit of cornstarch. You can make it of a more pudding consistency to eat with a spoon. It’s a great dessert drink for the winter, holidays, and special occasions.
Homemade Sweet Drink
You’ll Love this Sweet Treat
We all crave something hot to drink when it’s cold, and rainy, or snowy outside. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are always great options, but not everyone is satisfied by these choices. That’s where a nutritious and homemade Sahlab comes into play. Also, it is a healthy and kid-friendly sweet dessert.
This delicious and creamy Middle Eastern drink is so perfect for cold winter weather! Nothing can beat a warm and comforting mug of Sahlab after a long and tiring day at work for a good night’s sleep. It is great for your health and an excellent alternative to sugary as well as
caffeinated beverages.
Health benefits of sahlab are immense! It is used to relieve heartburn, indigestion, and stomach ache.
This awesome dessert is made in just 10 minutes! You can make it anytime you wish because it isn’t time consuming.
Enjoy Your Time with This Perfect Sahlab Drink
Top Tips
You can use any of your favorite nuts or seeds as a topping. Cinnamon spice is also a great topping option, too.
Be careful when using orange blossom water. Too much of it will make sahlab taste soapy.
To make your sahlab lump-free, mix the cornstarch and the milk while it is still cold.
If you prefer sahlab of a more subtle consistency, you can omit the rosewater and add orange blossom water instead.
Add toppings of your choice, including almond, hazelnut, sesame, pistachio, walnut, and other nuts.
Creamy Sweetness
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course! You can buy a ready powder from your nearest supermarket or grocery store, but be aware that the powder has been sitting in the store for a while and might not be as fresh as you would like.
To make it vegan, all you have to do is substitute dairy milk in place of non-dairy milk. For example, you can use almond, coconut, cashew, soy, or oat milk.
Sahlab has a very light floral taste. You can adjust orange blossom water to your preference.
Combine all the ingredients without adding sugar. If you prefer, you can add sugar substitutes or drink it plain without any sugar.
To make your it lump-free, mix the cornstarch and the milk while it is still cold; if you add the cornstarch to the warm milk, it will make your dessert lumpy. Adding cornstarch to the cold milk lets the cornstarch dissolve in the milk and create a smooth texture.
Simple Sahlab Dessert
Ingredients
These simple ingredients are the secret to the irresistibly comforting taste of sahlab dessert:
Milk: You can use any milk, such as whole milk or even any other plant-based milk.
Orange blossom water: It will give your sahlab an authentic and traditional taste.
Sugar: You can use white or brown sugar. You can even skip it if you prefer.
Cornstarch: You can use cornstarch or tapioca starch.
Mastic rocks: Easily replace it by ground pistachios.
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Steps to Prep
First, add all the ingredients into a pot.
Then, continue mixing with a spoon to make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved and is not chunky (add more cornstarch if you want to eat it with a spoon like a looser pudding).
Next, turn on heat. Then place the pot on a medium flame and let the mixture thicken while stirring constantly.
Now, stir until your desired thickness and serve hot in mugs and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon spice, ground pistachios, or other ground nuts on each serving.
I like to drink it but some people prefer to eat it with a spoon.
Middle Eastern Drink
Must-Try Recipes for You:
Middle Eastern Rice Pudding (Riz Bi Haleeb)
Halawat el Jibn (Sweet Cheese Rolls)
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Sahlab Dessert Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons orange blossom water
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 mastic rocks finely crushed
Garnish
- Pistachio
- Almonds
- Coconut
- Cinnamon
- Rose petals
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a pot.
- Continue mixing with a spoon to make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved and is not chunky (add more cornstarch if you want to eat it with a spoon like a looser pudding).
- Turn on heat. Add the pot to a medium flame and let the mixture thicken, stirring constantly.
- Stir until your desired thickness and serve hot in mugs and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon spice, ground pistachios, or other ground nuts on each serving.
- I like to drink it but some people like to eat it with a spoon.
Notes
- You can use any of your favorite nuts or seeds. Cinnamon spice is also a great topping option too.
- Be careful when using orange blossom water. Too much of it will make sahlab taste soapy.
- To make your sahlab lump-free, mix the cornstarch and the milk while it is still cold.
- If you prefer sahlab of a more subtle consistency, you can omit the rosewater and add orange blossom water instead.
- Add toppings of your choice, including almond, hazelnut, sesame, pistachio, walnut, and other nuts.
This hit the spot in this winter vortex!! Perfect medley of flavors
Loved this recipe! I made sahlab last night with my son. we both devoured it and it kept us warm. Definitely a Palestinian delight. Must try!
My daughter saw this post right when you shared it and made it. They absolutely loved it, well done!
I’ve followed this recipe several times and it is always perfect. It’s a perfect drink for a cold day. Definitely falls under comfort foods category.
glad you love it!
Such a cozy and yummy recipe! I loved it enough to make it 3 nights in a row lol.