Kolucheh, filled cookie

Stuffed cookies are a type of round dough filled with a mixture of cinnamon, sugar and chopped nuts, although this content may vary in different parts of Iran. In Kerman, for example, the cake is filled with crushed dates. Kolucheh is usually taken for breakfast or a snack accompanied by tea.

Another Iranian filled cookie is the Sistan date cookie, which consists of a mixture of flour, oil, yeast, black seeds, fennel, and dates. This stuffed biscuit is one of the specialties of the people of Sistan (Zabul).

Halva, flour dough

Iranian halva is different from Halva cooked in the Middle East. To prepare this delicacy, we fry the wheat flour over low heat with oil or butter. When the flour is cooked, we add nectar (a mixture of sugar, rose water, saffron, cardamom). Then, we form a compact dough, mold it with the edge of a spoon and decorate with pistachios and almonds. Halva is prepared in various forms in Iran and is often served on religious holidays.

Gaz, delicious nougat from Isfahan

Gaz is the main souvenir of Isfahan, as well as Hamedan (Nahavand), Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiarí, Kermán and Yazd, among the famous and traditional sweets of Iran. Mohammad Ali Shekrchian was the first producer and inventor of gaz in Isfahan. The ingredients of this sweet are: sugar, egg white, almonds or pistachios, and Persian rose water. Gaz de Isfahan is among the best products in the country whose production has a centuries-old history. According to the accounts, the gaz of Isfahan originated in this city for the first time during the Safavid period, at the same time as the revival of Iranian art and culture, and now more than 90% of this sweet is produced in Isfahan. Gaz is made in various forms, such as flour gaz (preserved in flour), Loghmeh gaz, etc.

Faloodeh

Eating starch-based noodles may seem like a strange dessert to tourists, but until they taste it, they won’t know the pleasure of eating Faloodeh.

Faloodeh is one of the most popular sweets and desserts in Iran, especially in Shiraz, Yazd and Kerman; a type of dessert that is served with crushed ice and is prepared by putting fine strands of starch in a solution of water and sugar and fresh lemon juice. Shiraz Faloodeh is usually mixed with lemon juice or cherry syrup, while Kerman’s is mixed with rose water or mint.

Tabriz Eris

In the eating habits of the East Azerbaijan province there is a very tasty and easy to prepare dessert known as Eris (Reese) sweets, considered a local snack of the city of Tabriz. This delicious dessert is prepared in different types with rice flour with cocoa, milk or pistachio, prepared in the form of large cubes. The ingredients needed to prepare this famous souvenir from Tabriz are: milk, sugar, bicarbonate, salt, badka (glucose), cocoa powder, refined oil, butter and pistachios.

Yazd Sweets

Yazd is one of the must-see places in Iran, known for its old town and the “Badgir” wind towers. The beauties and historical monuments of this city attract tourists from all over the world. Some of Yazd’s traditional sweets have many admirers not only in Iran, but also around the world.

Qottab: The indescribable sweetness of this delicious dessert is the powdered sugar that remains on our fingers when we take a bite. Qottab is one of the most famous and popular traditional sweets in Yazd province.

The Qottab consists of two parts, known as the outer and inner shell. The outer layer is fried in oil and is composed of wheat flour, milk, yogurt and egg yolk. This layer, after frying, is coated with powdered sugar. The inner core consists of a mixture of powdered almonds, powdered sugar, and cardamom. Among Iranian sweets, the ones that are absolutely worth trying are: Sohan, Gaz, Qotab, Baqlava and Kolouché.

Yazd Cupcakes: Another of the traditional sweets of the Yazd province is the so-called “Yazdí Cupcake”, known throughout Iran. This delicious cake is one of the desserts that are also prepared in other parts of the country and served during religious ceremonies, to welcome guests or even during other gatherings. To prepare these muffins, flour, pistachio, yogurt, vanilla, salt, eggs, baking soda and powdered sugar are used.

Baklava: It is a popular and traditional Iranian dessert that is prepared in some provinces such as Yazd. The inhabitants of Yazd province also prepare another type of this dessert, known as Baklava Yazdi. It is a nice, delicious, popular and charming dessert that can be easily prepared at home with some time and patience. To prepare this dessert, you need egg yolk, oil, yeast, butter, salt, rose water, white flour, sugar, water, powdered pistachio, powdered almond, cardamom, and powdered sugar.

Pashmak (cotton candy): a light candy like straw, soft like cotton, sweet like honey and very delicious. The ingredients of the Pashmak are: sugar, flour, oil, vinegar and water.

Manqa: another traditional dessert from the Yazd province. This local sweet looks and tastes different from its compatriots, and occupies a special place among the people of Yazd. One of the necessary utensils to cook Manqa is the mold that is used to shape it and then fry it in oil. Starch, rose water, rice flour, white flour, eggs, saffron and sugar are used to prepare Manqa.

Haji Badam: it is a delicious, tasty and aromatic dessert. It is one of the most consumed foods that has earned a good position among Iranian families. This delicious dessert is one of the traditional sweets of the Yazd province. It is widely prepared in many cities in the country such as Kashan. To prepare Haji Badam, you need rose water, egg yolk, baking soda, powdered sugar, cardamom, and almonds.

Noql: this candy evokes in the memory of Iranians many beautiful and sweet memories of childhood since grandparents always had it in their pockets to flatter the palate of their grandchildren. And even today guests are greeted with tea and Noql on a saucer. Noql is not lacking even in ceremonies and, like the white rice tradition, in Iran the Noql is thrown at brides and symbolizes good luck and prosperity. Noql is made by combining simple ingredients like almonds and pistachios that are covered in a sugary white coating.

Baklava of Yazd, Qazvín and Tabriz

Baklava is a popular and traditional Iranian dessert that is prepared and baked in some provinces such as Yazd and Qazvin. The inhabitants of Yazd province also prepare another type of this dessert as a traditional dessert in their city which is known as Baklava Yazdi. It is a pleasant, delicious, popular and charming dessert that is easily prepared at home with some time and patience. In Yazd province, egg yolk, oil, yeast, butter, salt, rose water, white flour, sugar, water, powdered pistachio, powdered almond and cardamom are used to prepare Baklava. Among Iranian sweets, the ones you should definitely try are: Sohan, Gaz, Qottab, Baklava and Koluche.

Halva Ardeh (Iranian sesame paste)

Halva Ardeh, in addition to having an extraordinary flavor, also has a high nutritional value, although it is not recommended to abuse it, especially since it is very caloric and provides a lot of energy. This nutritious food is prepared with sesame cream, wheat flour, toasted and chopped nuts, coconut powder, almonds or sunflower seeds, sugar or grape juice, saffron solution, powdered pistachio and butter. Consuming it for breakfast is one of the eating habits of Iranians.

Sweets to taste or give away

Traditional Iranian Ice Cream: Akbar Mashti

Akbar Mashti, born in a village in Malayer, was the first Iranian to start the ice cream business. His real name was Akbar Mashhadi Malayeri and he decided to open Iran’s first ice cream parlor with the financial help of his brother.

Akbar Mashti used some herbs instead of food additives with great effort. At that time, due to the lack of refrigerators, ice cream makers had to go to the mountains around Tehran in search of ice during the winter and people used natural refrigerators. The brothers also dug wells up to 60 meters deep to store ice and produce their typical Iranian ice cream in summer.

Since then, traditional Iranian ice cream has been known as Akbar Mashti Bastani (ice cream), which is usually served between two pieces of crisp white waffle. The combination of milk, eggs, sugar, rose water, saffron, vanilla and pistachios is definitely a great choice, while the chunks of ice cream inside complete the flavor. You can order a simple traditional ice cream or a saffron ice cream or even a combination of both. The accompaniment of a good Faludeh will also be pleasantly tasty.