Sticky to the touch, sweet and a little bit sour, this is Qamar Eddeen or Kamar Eddeen paste. It is simply a thicker and stickier form of apricot paste.
Next try this recipe for Turkish delight.
Dried apricot paste or Amardeen is an iconic Ramadan item that is usually bought in packages and turned into juice or apricot pudding. Let's check how to easily make it at home with ingredients available in any nearby store.
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❤️ Why You'll Love It
- Very easy to make and way cheaper than the store-bought.
- No artificial ingredients.
- Because this is mad using dried apricot you can make it any time of the year, you do not need to wait for fresh apricot.
Apricot paste has a special place in my heart, it remind me of Ramadan days and how, as kids, we used to much on those before my mom got the time to turn them into the famous drink.
📝 Ingredients
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- Dried Apricots, pretty much sulphured are used but you can also use unsulphured.
- Water.
- Sugar.
- Lemon juice.
🥄 Instructions
- Chop apricots into small pieces.
- In a heavy sauce pan over medium heat add the dried apricot, water, sugar and lemon juice, stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to boil then reduce heat and continue to cook until the pieces are very tender. Turn heat off and let it cool down.
- Transfer apricot mixture to a blender and bled well until you get a spreadable paste. If you feel it is too thick add 1 Tbs of water at a time and blend.
- Spread the mixture on the parchment paper evenly, about ¼ to ⅓ inch thick. Bale in the oven for 4-5 hours until dry but still a bit sticky to the touch.
💡 Expert Tips
- If you use the unsulphured dry apricots, check out their sweetness and adjust the sugar in the recipe accordingly. Usually the sulphured varieties are less sugary.
- Spread the paste thinner to make apricot leather.
👩🍳 Variations
You can add orange blossom water or rosewater while making the paste to change the flavor.
🧺 Storage
Store homemade apricot paste in the fridge wrapped in parchment paper for up to 3 months.
📣 Related Recipes
- A thirst quenching and healthy drink, this homemade apricot juice is also known as amardeen drink. Simple to prepare especially with this homemade apricot paste.
- Another delicious to use this apricot paste is to make this apricot pudding very easy to make without any eggs.
- Kunafa is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert that is made with a layer of golden shredded phyllo dough, a creamy filling, and a sweet syrup. A popular dessert in many countries that is often served during special occasions and holidays.
- Tanghulu Recipe, also known as bingtanghulu, is a traditional Chinese snack that originated in the northern region of China. Fresh fruits dipped in thick syrup and quickly cooled for a delicious sweet treat.
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Apricot paste (Amareddeen)
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried apricot
- 1 ¼ cups water
- ¼ - ⅓ cup sugar or to your liking
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to the lowest possible temperature, usually 200F.
- Chop apricots into small pieces.
- In a heavy sauce pan over medium heat add the dried apricot, water, sugar and lemon juice, stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to boil then reduce heat and continue to cook until the pieces are very tender. Turn heat off and let it cool down.
- Transfer apricot mixture to a blender and bled well until you get a spreadable paste. If you feel it is too thick add 1 Tbs of water at a time and blend.
- Spread the mixture on the parchment paper evenly, about ¼ to ⅓ inch thick. Bale in the oven for 4-5 hours until dry but still a bit sticky to the touch.
Notes
- If you use the unsulphured dry apricots, check out their sweetness and adjust the sugar in the recipe accordingly. Usually the sulphured varieties are less sugary.
- Spread the paste thinner to make apricot leather.
- Variations: You can add orange blossom water or rosewater while making the paste to change the flavor.
Nutrition
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First published Jul 4, 2014 . Last updated March 24, 2022 with important tips, clear step by step instructions and readability.
Whenever the holly month of Ramadan is mentioned anywhere in the Middle East, Qamar Eddeen drink is the first thing to pop up in our minds. Cold and sweet drink that cools us down in this heat when we first break our fasting.
We also make a sweet Qamar Eddeen or apricot pudding with nuts that is so delicious. The base of this drink and the treat is the Aamar Eddeen or apricot paste.
The best Qamar Eddeen paste is usually made in Syria, it is the finest and most expensive one, but you can make it at home with simple ingredients. You can use fresh apricot fruit or use dried apricot as I did.
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Beth Ann
I'm new to your page, but love apricot candies so wanted to start with the apricot paste! Thank you for the recipe and helpful hints!
Navin
what temperature should we bake this paste..
Amira
Nevin, that would be 200F, a very low temperature.
Deepti
Ramadan kareem! what a wonderful recipe this is.. surely a new and a great one.. my neighbor just loaded me with apricots. I will love to try this recipe!
Amira
This is a great opportunity for you to try it... If you wanna make roll ups just bake in a larger pan so they will be thinner like the roll up. Thank Deepti and Ramadan kareem 🙂
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods
I've never heard of this before. You teach me something new every time I visit 😀 It sounds delicious! I adore apricots. Do you use the paste to create the drink?
Amira
Yes we do ... Just cut it into small pieces and soak them in water for 3-4 hours then blend with more sugar if you like.
Asmita
This looks so delicious just like a roll up.
Asmita
This does remind of me of a fruit roll up. Looks so delicious!
Wishing you a great Ramadan!
Amira
Thanks Asmita. I hope you will try it.
Abbe@This is How I Cook
Totally good stuff! Would love this with a slice of cheese!
Amira
Woow this is a great idea ...I've never thought of eating this with cheese.
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You
Amira: This reminds me a fruit roll-up... This apricot Middle-Eastern version looks quite delicious... I would love to give this a try! Wishing you a great Ramadan.
Amira
Thanks Denise, It is kind of roll up but sticker and thicker.
Carolyn Jung
So kind of like a sticky fruit leather? It sounds incredibly addictive especially because I love apricots so much.
Amira
It is ... delicious and sticky 🙂 reminds me so much of my childhood.
Juliana
Such an interesting recipe Amira...I love the idea of the apricots...great as a snack.
Have a wonderful week 😀
Amira
Thanks Juliana, you too.
Sadaf F K.
Asalam O Alaikum Amira.
This is so new thing to me. I have to admit it that ever since I've come across your blog, I'm learning and getting to know new stuffs. (middle eastern cuisines, ofcourse )
This paste look yummy to me as I'm apricot lover sitting here. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Amira
This can be done with fresh apricot and I bet it is going to be even better. It is just hard to get fresh nice and ripe apricot here in Colorado. Thanks dear for your comment.
Asmaa
As-Salaamu Alaykum Amira,
I've never had the drink but would love to try it, i will get the hubby to shop for some of this paste and have a go in sha Allah.
Allah grant you a safe trip to Egypt.
Amira
Jazakom Allah khairan Asmaa for your dua'a. Try the drink it is so delicious 🙂
Coffee and Crumpets
Dear Amira, Ramadan Kareem! I hope your fasts are going well. It's been so hot lately though and it's hard to get going in the heat. IA, you are well. I've been SO busy that I haven't and time to visit anyone or even update my own blog. Finally, today I found some time.
I have seen this paste in stores and my sister loves it. She just buys it to eat it. I've never had the drink you mention, how do you make it with the paste? And also the apricot dessert? In India we have an apricot dessert made with dried apricots and I want to see ifs similar to yours. Post the recipe one day.
I think my children would like this....it's just like fruit roll ups!
Take care.
Btw, are you going to any masjid for tarawih? I don't know what you have on the South side.
Nazneen
Amira
Nazneen dear, I missed you girl, Al hamdo lelaah that you are well my friend. It is hot indeed and many days we get thirsty when it is only noon!!! but it is the 8th of Ramadan already!!!! I cannot believe it. This holly month really speeds so fast.
For the drink, we cut the paste into pieces and soak them in water overnight then blend with sugar to your taste. It is very refreshing and sweet. For the pudding you just take the drink and make a pudding with it using corn starch and sprinkle nuts on top. I hope I can post details soon.
Some times I go to masjid Khadija to pray but I want to pay Abu Bakr a visit although I do not have much time as I will go to Egypt next Saturday In Shaa Allah.
ela@GrayApron
Wow, never seen anything like it, but I like apricots so I know I would love it!
ela h.
Amira
Ela, if life has blessed you with an apricot tree 🙂 you can use them making this paste or even make them thinner - by spreading in a larger pan- and make some roll ups for the kids. It is a great snack for the kiddos and adults as well.