Atayef (Stuffed Semolina Pancakes)

Atayef are the little stuffed pancakes of Ramadan, made by the hundreds in Syrian kitchens when the fast breaks. The batter is poured onto a hot griddle and cooked on one side only, so each pancake puffs with a pale, spongy top. They are folded around walnuts or sweet cream, fried until golden, and dunked in rose-scented syrup. The sound of atayef sizzling means iftar is minutes away, and the kitchen fills with family waiting by the pan. No Ramadan table is complete without a towering plate of them.

Little pillows of walnut and rose syrup

The pancakes are soft and spongy with a delicate yeast aroma, giving way to a crunchy, cinnamon-scented walnut filling. Fried just until golden, they turn crisp outside and tender within, then soak up the syrup like tiny sponges. Serve them warm with the syrup poured over at the table — they are impossible to eat just one of, and everyone will reach for seconds.

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