This traditional Kuwaiti dessert, known as Elba or Bir Al Waldein, has been popping up all over my feed, and I just had to try it! It’s a creamy, custard-like dessert infused with cardamom, saffron, and vanilla. I couldn’t wait the full six hours for it to chill, so I ended up trying it the very same night!
The original recipe called for a full can of condensed milk, but I found it a little too sweet for my taste. Next time, I would stick with half a can, as listed below. Traditionally, this dessert is enjoyed alongside a cup of Arabic coffee, making it the perfect treat to share with family and friends.
You can make it in one large baking dish or use individual flan dishes. I hope you give it a try and enjoy it as much as I did!
Ingredients
- 5 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 9 oz. ready-made ashta (cream), approximately 1½ cans
- 1 cup powdered milk
- 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 liter whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cardamom
- 1 tsp saffron
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Add the eggs, sugar, ashta, powdered milk, condensed milk, whole milk, vanilla, cardamom, and saffron to a blender. Blend until everything is smooth and well combined.
- Pour the mixture into your baking dish or individual flan dishes.
- Place the baking dish in a larger oven-safe pan and carefully add hot water to the larger pan, creating a water bath.
- Bake until the custard is set. The baking time will depend on the size and depth of your dishes, so check for doneness as it cooks.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or until thoroughly chilled and set.
- Serve cold alongside a cup of Arabic coffee and enjoy!
- A little tip: If you prefer a less sweet dessert, stick with half a can of condensed milk. You can always adjust the sweetness to your liking!