Balah El Sham, also known as Egyptian Choux Pastry, is a delightful dessert that is popular in Egypt. This recipe features a light and airy pastry filled with a sweet cream filling, topped with powdered sugar. It's the perfect treat to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Directions
- In a saucepan, bring water and butter to a boil.
- Add flour and stir until a smooth dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool slightly.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Transfer the dough to a piping bag and pipe small circles onto a baking sheet.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
- Let the pastries cool completely before filling.
- Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Cut the pastries in half and fill with the cream mixture.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Interesting Facts
Balah El Sham translates to 'Syrian Dates' in Arabic, but the dessert is actually a type of choux pastry.
Choux pastry originated in France and is known for its light and airy texture.
This Egyptian version of choux pastry is a popular dessert during holidays and celebrations.