Middle Eastern Desserts in Dallas: What to Order at Khashoka

A guide to the traditional dessert menu at Khashoka in Richardson, featuring Mohallabiah, Umm Ali, and Khashoka Sweets with Jordanian sourcing context.

By Muhammad Albakri · July 23, 20265 min read

Middle Eastern desserts in Dallas: the three to know at Khashoka

Finding traditional Levantine sweets in the Dallas-Fort Worth area means looking past the usual pre-packaged syrup cakes to find desserts made with patience and specific heritage. At Khashoka, our dessert menu acts as a natural extension of the savory table, offering three distinct traditional preparations: Mohallabiah ($5), Khashoka Sweets ($12), and Umm Ali ($13). These dishes are not served as isolated, single-plate treats, but rather as warm, communal finishes meant to be shared by the entire table at the close of a long meal.

We approach our dessert menu with the exact same dedication to sourcing that defines our main kitchen. As reporter Tahera Rahman highlighted for NBC DFW, about 90% of our spices, olive oil, and sesame sauce comes directly from Jordan. This commitment to importing our pantry staples ensures that the aromatic spices, floral notes, and distinct textures in our sweets taste exactly as they do in Amman, preserving the culinary standards of the Levant for our guests in Richardson.

Mohallabiah: the creamy, nutty foundation

Mohallabiah ($5) is a classic milk pudding that has anchored dessert tables across the Levant for generations. It is a silky, delicate cold dessert thickened naturally with starch, flavored with subtle floral undertones, and served with a generous drizzle of honey and a blanket of toasted nuts. The texture is key: it must be smooth and set just enough to hold its shape on a spoon, without ever becoming dense or heavy.

Historically, Mohallabiah has been valued as a clean, light palate cleanser after a rich meal of meats and flatbreads. Because it relies on basic, high-quality ingredients, there are no shortcuts to its texture. The pudding must be stirred continuously over a gentle heat until it reaches the perfect consistency. At Khashoka, we serve Mohallabiah cold, topped with the contrasting crunch of toasted nuts, making it a refreshing and simple option for those who want a lighter finish to their dining experience.

Umm Ali: the bread pudding that feeds a table

Umm Ali ($13) is a rich, warm, and comforting baked dessert that carries a deep history across the Middle East. Often compared to Western bread pudding, this traditional sweet is built from layers of flaky, puffed pastry dough that are baked, crushed, and then soaked in hot sweet milk and cream. We finish our version with a warm spice blend of cinnamon, plump raisins, and a generous assortment of toasted nuts.

Because it is baked and served in a deep dish, Umm Ali is inherently a shared dessert. The puffed pastry absorbs the spiced cream as it bakes, creating a contrast of soft, custard-like layers underneath and lightly browned, crispy pastry edges on top. It is the kind of dessert that brings people together, served hot at the center of the table so everyone can scoop their own portion. The warm aroma of cinnamon and toasted pastry makes it a comforting anchor for larger families and groups gathering for a weekend dinner.

Khashoka Sweets: the nutella dough interpretation

For guests looking for a bridge between traditional dough preparations and contemporary flavors, our namesake dessert, Khashoka Sweets ($12), offers a playful modern twist. This dish features a house-made pastry dough that is stuffed with a rich, smooth Nutella chocolate-hazelnut filling, then baked until warm and tender. The result is a dessert that combines the comforting, freshly baked texture of classic Levantine pastries with a globally loved chocolate flavor.

This dish serves as an interesting contrast to our traditional savory baked goods, such as manakish as a breakfast pastry. While our savory flatbreads rely on traditional wild thyme or local cheeses, Khashoka Sweets uses our dough-handling expertise to create a sweet, warm pastry that appeals to chocolate lovers of all ages. It is baked to order, ensuring that the hazelnut chocolate filling is warm and melting when it reaches your table.

How to end a Khashoka meal

A traditional Jordanian meal has a distinct rhythm. It is a slow, multi-stage experience that cannot be rushed. You begin with cold and warm starters, sharing mezze foundations like falafel, hummus, and labneh. Next come the hot clay pots and sizzling skillets, which establish a rich, savory peak. Moving directly from those heavy, spiced mains to departure misses the point of Levantine hospitality. The dessert course acts as the necessary transition, a moment to sit back, let the table clear, and transition into conversation.

This slow pace is an essential element of the traditional Levantine meal structure. To experience it fully, we recommend pairing your choice of dessert with a fresh-squeezed juice or a pot of hot tea. Sharing a single, central sweet plate like Umm Ali alongside a warm drink encourages everyone to linger at the table. It turns a simple dinner into a relaxed social gathering where the food serves as the reason to stay together just a little longer.

Where to find Levantine sweets in the DFW area

If you are looking for authentic Jordanian sweets and hospitality, you can find us in Richardson. Khashoka is located at 1057 S Sherman St, situated within Al Ameera Plaza, a prominent hub for Middle Eastern businesses in the south Richardson area. Our warm, inviting dining space was designed to reflect our roots. In fact, D Magazine noted that though we are a relatively new addition to the local dining scene, our space \"feels lived in, more like sitting in someone's living room than dining out.\"

That welcoming atmosphere is matched by the international reputation of our parent brand. As Royal Jordanian Airlines notes in its guide to fine dining, the Khashoka brand represents a rustic, authentic standard of Jordanian hospitality. We carry that standard here in Texas by importing almost our entire dry pantry from Jordan. Whether you are joining us for a weekend lunch or a late-night treat, we are open Sunday through Thursday from 9AM to 10PM, and Friday through Saturday from 9AM to 11PM. If you want to enjoy our desserts at home, you can also order them quickly using our Tabit pickup service.

Bring the family this weekend, share a table, and finish your meal the traditional way. See the menu to plan your next visit.