Description
Warbat, also known as Shaabiyat, is a delightful Middle Eastern dessert featuring crispy, golden phyllo dough filled with rich, creamy Ashta (clotted cream) and drizzled with aromatic sugar syrup. This syrup-soaked pastry, often garnished with crushed pistachios and dried rose petals, is a staple during Ramadan and festive gatherings, offering a perfect balance of crunch, creaminess, and sweetness.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Phyllo Pastry:
- 10 sheets phyllo dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Ashta Cream Filling:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon rose water (optional)
For the Sugar Syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon rose water or orange blossom water
For Garnish:
- 1/4 cup crushed pistachios
- Dried rose petals (optional)
Instructions
. Prepare the Sugar Syrup:
- In a saucepan, combine sugar and water and bring to a boil.
- Add lemon juice and simmer for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in rose water or orange blossom water and set aside to cool.
2. Make the Ashta Cream:
- In a pot, whisk together milk, cornstarch, sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until thickened.
- Add rose water (if using), then let cool before using.
3. Prepare the Phyllo Pastry:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lay one phyllo sheet on a clean surface and brush with melted butter.
- Stack another sheet on top and brush with more butter.
- Cut into squares, then fold each square into a triangle shape, pressing the edges lightly.
4. Bake the Warbat:
- Arrange the pastries on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
5. Fill and Garnish:
- Once cooled, carefully fill each Warbat with Ashta cream.
- Drizzle with sugar syrup.
- Garnish with crushed pistachios and dried rose petals.
6. Serve & Enjoy:
- Best enjoyed slightly chilled or at room temperature with Arabic coffee or tea.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, let the baked pastries cool completely before filling them.
- You can substitute store-bought clotted cream for homemade Ashta.
- Adjust the sweetness by reducing or increasing the amount of sugar in the syrup.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Calories: 220 kcal per piece
