Ethiopian cuisine is known for savory, delicious food bursting with flavor.
But what about dessert?
I’ve compiled 10 awesome Ethiopian dessert recipes that are sure to please.
Get ready for honey wine, flatbread, and more!
1. Kahawa (Ethiopian Coffee)
Though Ethiopian coffee accounts for just a small percentage of global production, it packs a punch! When prepared correctly, I find that this coffee is rich and smooth with no hint of bitterness.
This specific recipe involves boiling the water with cardamom pods first and then adding the coffee in at the end. That way, the spice infuses the water as the coffee steeps and doesn’t become bitter.
2. Fried Sweet Plantains
I had never tried sweet fried plantain until a friend made them for me after a lovely dinner. Luckily, you don’t have to do any pressing with this recipe. All you have to do is peel, slice, and fry in some hot oil.
Canola is my oil of choice, but coconut oil also works. Soaking in saltwater ahead of time helps make the plantains extra crispy. Right after removing them from the oil, drop them onto a paper towel for a few seconds before tossing them in cinnamon sugar for the perfect finish, in my opinion.
3. Himbasha (Ethiopian Flatbread)
This is a lightly sweetened flatbread with a kick of cardamom, usually whipped up for a special celebration. I really appreciate how this particular recipe only calls for pantry staples and comes together fast. You start by adding flour, sugar, salt, yeast, sesame seeds, and cardamom powder to your stand mixer.
After that, you toss in the warm water, oil, and raisins. I suggest kneading for about 7 to 10 minutes before letting it rest. Then press into a baking dish and bake until the top turns a golden brown.
4. Ethiopean Fruit Salad
In my humble opinion, a good fruit salad hinges on ripe fruit. Nobody wants mushy mango or bland melon.
If you’re using papaya, they’re usually ripe when you can push your thumb into the flesh. Storing unripe mangoes and papayas in a paper bag can help them ripen more quickly. Ripe mangoes are soft to the touch and emit a sweet smell from the stem.
5. How to Make a Macchiato
The word macchiato seems to make most people think of the big, delicious Starbucks drink that’s almost always dripping with caramel. That’s actually a latte macchiato. The real deal is a shot of espresso with some milk foam gently spooned on top.
The flavor tends to be rich, strong, and not super sweet. While you can add sugar if you want, instant coffee just won’t cut it for this recipe.
If you don’t own an espresso maker, try using a cafetière. I’ve seen them on sale a lot.
6. Roasted Apricot and Honey Ice Cream
If you have an ice cream maker, get ready to use it! After you taste this incredible recipe, you’ll appreciate that investment.
Roasting the apricots allows the natural juices to caramelize and brings out so much amazing flavor. The honey isn’t strictly necessary, but that flavor combination is too good to pass up. To me, it’s worth every single bite!
7. Baklava
It’s pretty clear that baklava isn’t for the faint of heart, especially with all that syrup. Most folks can only manage to eat a small slice, to be sure!
If you’re worried about working with phyllo dough, don’t be. Remember to keep it covered with a damp towel, and move as fast as you can. When you’re brushing the pastry with butter, be generous.
For this recipe, you’ll need walnuts. I think pistachios and pecans work too. It really comes down to personal preference.
8. Easy Eggless Tiramisu
I think tiramisu should be easy, and you shouldn’t need any fancy ingredients to make it taste good. You really just need coffee, cream, and booze. Where can you go wrong?
Mascarpone is one of my personal must-have ingredients. In my experience, the results just aren’t the same without it.
While you don’t have to add booze to the coffee, most kids don’t like coffee anyway. Adding the booze helps ensure that the adults can enjoy this recipe!
9. Mandazi (East African Doughnuts)
You’ll find that these doughnuts are a really common street food. They possess a wonderfully spiced flavor that is tender and airy with a subtle hit of coconut.
Not only does the dough call for coconut milk, but it also calls for shredded coconut. That ingredient in particular brings a lovely, chewy texture to these tasty treats.
There’s not much sugar, so the coconut and spices shine through. If you want a little extra sweetness, try a vanilla glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar.
10. Classic Ethiopian Honey Wine
Before all the European bakeries cropped up in the region, a glass of honey wine or beer was a typical Ethiopian dessert. I find that it’s usually made like mead, fermenting for about a week, but this recipe keeps things simple. I don’t really need to point this out, but I’m going to say it anyway.
This wine tends to be very sweet! That being said, it might not be for you if you favor dry wines. I adore the flavor and only use local, organic honey in this recipe, as I find that it makes a big difference.