Sweet Couscous Dessert
A delightful and comforting Middle Eastern-inspired dessert featuring fluffy couscous tossed with sweet butter, dried fruits, and crunchy nuts.
Ingredients
- •1 cup dry couscous (180g)
- •1 cup boiling water (240ml)
- •3 tablespoons unsalted butter (42g) or coconut oil for pareve
- •3 tablespoons granulated sugar (36g)
- •1/4 cup golden raisins (40g)
- •1/4 cup dried cranberries (35g)
- •1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds or walnuts (50g)
- •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- •1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- •2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (30ml)
- •Pinch of salt
Instructions
- 1
Place the dry couscous in a large mixing bowl with a pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon of melted butter.
- 2
Pour the boiling water over the couscous, cover the bowl tightly with a plate or plastic wrap, and let it steam undisturbed for 5 to 7 minutes.
- 3
While the couscous is steaming, plump the raisins and cranberries in a small bowl of warm water for 5 minutes, then drain well.
- 4
Remove the cover from the couscous and fluff it thoroughly with a fork to separate the grains, ensuring no lumps remain.
- 5
Gently fold in the remaining butter, sugar, ground cinnamon, and cardamom until the butter is completely melted and the spices are evenly distributed.
- 6
Stir in the drained raisins, cranberries, and half of the chopped toasted almonds or walnuts.
- 7
Transfer the sweet couscous to a serving platter, drizzle with honey or maple syrup, and garnish with the remaining nuts.
- 8
Serve warm or at room temperature.
💡 Chef tips
- To make this recipe strictly pareve, substitute the butter with high-quality coconut oil or margarine.
- You can prepare the couscous a few hours in advance and gently reheat it on the stove or in the microwave before adding the final toppings.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dessert is light, fluffy, and aromatic, offering a perfect balance of warm spices, sweet dried fruits, and a satisfying crunch from the toasted nuts.