The Most Popular Dessert in Morocco, Ranked

Choose the dessert you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:35
In the bustling markets of Morocco, the sweet aroma of desserts blends with the colorful culture, offering a culinary journey for each visitor. Recognizing the favorite dessert among locals and tourists alike provides valuable insight into the culture and tastes of this vibrant region. This online gathering of votes helps identify which dessert stands out as the crowd favorite. By participating in this vote, you contribute to a broader understanding of Moroccan cuisine and help highlight the desserts that resonate most with people. Your input affects the live rankings, creating a dynamic list that reflects current preferences. Whether you're a native, a traveler, or simply curious, your vote matters in celebrating the rich dessert tradition of Morocco.

What Is the Most Popular Dessert in Morocco?

  1. 1
    77
    votes
    Layers of phyllo pastry filled with ground nuts and honey syrup, baklava is a popular dessert in Morocco due to its sweet and rich flavor.
    Baklava is a sweet and rich pastry made of layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts, sweetened with syrup or honey, and flavored with spices such as cinnamon and cloves. It is a popular dessert in various Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines.
    • Ingredients: Layers of filo pastry, chopped nuts (often pistachios or walnuts), syrup or honey, spices (such as cinnamon and cloves)
    • Texture: Crunchy and crisp layers of filo pastry with a soft, moist filling
    • Flavor: A harmonious blend of sweetness from the syrup or honey and nuttiness from the chopped nuts, enhanced by the warm spices
    • Shape: Typically rectangular or diamond-shaped pieces
    • Size: Can vary in size, but individual pieces are usually small and bite-sized
  2. 2
    44
    votes
    A type of Moroccan pancake, msemen is often served for breakfast or as a sweet snack. It can be filled with honey, cheese, or jam.
    Msemen is a traditional Moroccan dessert that is often enjoyed as a sweet treat. It is a type of pancake or square-shaped dough that is made from semolina flour, all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, and water. The dough is then further stretched and folded multiple times to create multiple layers, resulting in a flaky and crispy texture. Msemen is typically pan-fried or cooked on a griddle with a small amount of oil or butter until it turns golden brown on both sides.
    • Ingredients: Semolina flour, all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, water
    • Preparation time: Approximately 30 minutes
    • Cooking time: Approximately 10 minutes per batch
    • Serving size: Varies, typically 1-2 msemen per person
    • Texture: Flaky, crispy
  3. 3
    30
    votes
    Also known as Moroccan pancakes, baghrir is a popular dessert in Morocco due to its light and fluffy texture. It is typically served with honey, butter, or jam.
    Baghrir is a traditional Moroccan pancake that is commonly known as 'thousand-hole pancake' due to its porous texture. It is a popular dessert enjoyed throughout Morocco and is typically served with honey or syrup. Baghrir is made from a batter consisting of semolina, flour, yeast, and water. The batter is left to ferment before being cooked on only one side, resulting in a spongy texture with many small holes on the cooked surface.
    • Main Ingredients: Semolina, flour, yeast, water
    • Texture: Spongy with small holes
    • Cooking Method: One-sided cooking
    • Serving Style: Topped with honey or syrup
    • Origin: Morocco
  4. 4
    22
    votes
    A traditional Moroccan cookie, chebakia is made from sesame seeds, honey, and spices, and is often served during Ramadan. Its unique shape makes it a memorable dessert.
    Chebakia is a traditional Moroccan dessert made during the holy month of Ramadan. It is a sweet and crispy pastry that is shaped like a flower or a pretzel. The dough is made with flour, yeast, butter, and a blend of aromatic spices such as cinnamon, anise, and sesame seeds. After being deep-fried until golden brown, the pastries are dipped in a fragrant honey-sesame glaze that gives them a distinctive sticky texture and sweet taste. Chebakia is often served with Moroccan mint tea and enjoyed as a delightful treat by families and friends during Ramadan celebrations.
    • Shape: Flower or pretzel-like
    • Texture: Crispy and sticky
    • Flour: Uses all-purpose flour
    • Yeast: Contains yeast for leavening
    • Spices: Includes cinnamon, anise, and sesame seeds
  5. 5
    14
    votes
    Halwa Shebakia
    Indif · CC BY-SA 3.0
    A type of halwa made from semolina, honey, and spices, halwa shebakia is a popular dessert in Morocco due to its sweet and nutty flavor. It is often served during Ramadan.
    Halwa Shebakia is a traditional Moroccan dessert that is popular during special occasions and religious festivals like Ramadan. It is a sweet pastry made from a dough of flour, butter, and yeast, shaped into intricate flower-like shapes, and deep-fried until golden. Once fried, the Shebakia is dipped in honey syrup flavored with orange blossom water and sprinkled with sesame seeds. The result is a crispy, sticky, and aromatic treat that is loved by locals and visitors alike.
    • Type of dessert: Pastry
    • Flavor: Sweet
    • Ingredients: Flour, butter, yeast, honey, sesame seeds, orange blossom water
    • Texture: Crispy and sticky
    • Shape: Intricate flower-like
  6. 6
    8
    votes
    A traditional North African pastry, makrout is made from semolina, honey, and dates, and is often served during Ramadan. Its sweet and sticky texture makes it a popular dessert.
  7. 7
    6
    votes
    A sweet and savory dip made from eggplant and tomatoes, zaalouk is often served as a dessert in Morocco. It is typically served with bread or crackers.
    Zaalouk is a traditional Moroccan dish that is both delicious and healthy. It is a cooked salad made primarily from eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, and a combination of spices. The ingredients are cooked down until they soften and blend together, resulting in a flavorful and savory dish. Zaalouk can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or even a main course.
    • Main ingredients: Eggplant, tomatoes, garlic
    • Spices: Cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper
    • Preparation time: Approximately 30 minutes
    • Cooking method: Stovetop
    • Texture: Smooth and slightly chunky
  8. 8
    4
    votes
    A sweet and savory pastry, pastilla is made from phyllo pastry, chicken or pigeon, and almonds. It is often served at weddings and other special occasions.
    Pastilla, also known as B'stilla, is a famous Moroccan dish that is loved for its unique combination of sweet and savory flavors. It is a traditional savory pie that is typically filled with spiced chicken or pigeon, along with almonds, eggs, and a mixture of aromatic herbs and spices. The filling is encased in layers of thin, crispy warqa pastry, which is similar to filo pastry. The top of the pastilla is often dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, adding a touch of sweetness to the dish.
    • Main Ingredients: Chicken or pigeon, almonds, eggs, warqa pastry
    • Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, saffron, turmeric, coriander, black pepper
    • Sweetness Level: Sweet and savory
    • Texture: Crispy outside, tender inside
    • Presentation: Dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon on top
  9. 9
    15
    votes
    A traditional Moroccan soup, harira is often served during Ramadan and is considered a dessert due to its sweet and rich flavor. It is made from lentils, chickpeas, and spices.
    Harira is a traditional Moroccan soup popularly consumed during Ramadan as a starter to break the fast. It is a hearty and flavorful dish known for its rich aroma and satisfying taste. The main ingredients of Harira include a combination of meat (usually lamb or beef), lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, and a variety of aromatic herbs and spices. The soup typically has a thick consistency and is often served with dates and traditional bread on the side.
    • Cuisine: Moroccan
    • Course: Soup
    • Main Ingredients: Meat (lamb or beef), lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, herbs, spices
    • Servings: 4-6
    • Preparation Time: 30 minutes
  10. 10
    4
    votes
    A type of Moroccan cookie, ghriba is made from ground almonds, sugar, and spices. It is often served during religious holidays and other special occasions.
    Ghriba is a traditional Moroccan dessert known for its soft and chewy texture. It is typically made using a mixture of almonds, sugar, and spices, resulting in a deliciously sweet and fragrant treat. Ghriba is often enjoyed during special occasions such as weddings, religious holidays, and family gatherings. It has become one of the most popular Moroccan desserts, loved for its unique flavors and versatility.
    • Texture: Soft and chewy
    • Ingredients: Almonds, sugar, and spices
    • Flavor: Sweet and fragrant
    • Occasions: Weddings, religious holidays, family gatherings
    • Popularity: Extremely popular in Morocco

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Ranking factors for popular dessert

  1. Cultural significance
    Consider the historical and cultural importance of the dessert in Morocco. Desserts that have been part of Moroccan cuisine for generations and have cultural significance are likely to be more popular.
  2. Availability and accessibility
    Desserts that are widely available and easily accessible across Morocco should be considered. The popularity of a dessert increases if it can be found in various regions and restaurants or cafes.
  3. Preparation and ingredients
    The key factors that make a Moroccan dessert popular may include the use of local ingredients, traditional preparation methods, and unique flavors or textures. Desserts that showcase Moroccan culinary techniques and local ingredients are more likely to be popular.
  4. Taste and appeal
    A popular dessert must have a delicious taste and an appealing presentation. Consider desserts that are known for their taste, texture, and overall satisfaction. A visually appealing dish can also be a key factor in its popularity.
  5. Occasions and celebrations
    Desserts that are associated with specific festivals, celebrations or are served during special occasions are likely to be popular, as they are enjoyed by a large number of people.
  6. Adaptability and fusion
    Desserts that can be easily adapted to cater to different tastes and preferences, or those that can be combined with other dessert variations, tend to be more popular. Fusion desserts that fuse Moroccan traditions with other culinary cultures may also be popular.
  7. Popularity and recommendations
    Consider desserts that are frequently mentioned in travel guides, food blogs, and culinary websites or are recommended by locals and tourists alike. The more a dessert is recommended and enjoyed by a diverse range of people, the more popular it is likely to be.
  8. Seasonality
    The popularity of certain desserts may vary depending on the season or time of year. Seasonal ingredients and flavors may play a role in determining the popularity of a dessert.
  9. Dietary preferences and requirements
    Take into account the dietary preferences and needs of the Moroccan population. Desserts that cater to different dietary requirements, such as vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free, may be more popular among certain groups of people.
  10. Social Media and Online presence
    Desserts that have a strong online presence through social media – with posts, recipes, and reviews- are likely to be more popular. Having a strong online presence can amplify the reach and popularity of a dessert in this digital age.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular dessert in Morocco. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Dessert is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2353 views
  • 223 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Dessert once every 24 hours. The rank of each Dessert is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular dessert in morocco

Moroccan cuisine is renowned for its bold and exotic flavors, which are often influenced by the country's rich cultural heritage. When it comes to desserts, Moroccans have a sweet tooth and a diverse range of traditional sweets to choose from. Some of the most popular desserts in Morocco include chebakia, a fried pastry coated in honey and sesame seeds, and pastilla, a sweet and savory pastry filled with nuts and spices. Other favorites include ghriba, a crumbly cookie made with almond flour and flavored with orange blossom water, and m'hancha, a coiled pastry filled with almond paste and cinnamon. Whether you're a fan of sweet or savory, there's no shortage of delicious desserts to try in Morocco.

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