🇱🇧 Lebanon · Dessert

Ashta (Clotted Cream Pudding)

60 min
A great way to spend your free time
🔥 280 kcal
Nicely balanced
🍽 8 servings
Feeds a crowd

By eatmundo · July 11, 2026

Ashta (Clotted Cream Pudding)🇱🇧 LBSerge Melki from Indianapolis, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

A fragrant, creamy dessert thickened with starch and flavored with orange blossom water. It serves as the base for many exquisite Middle Eastern sweets.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  • 1

    In a cold pot, whisk 1L of milk with 80g of cornstarch and 100g of sugar until no lumps remain.

  • 2

    Place the pot over medium heat and stir constantly with a wooden spoon.

  • 3

    Once the mixture begins to bubble and thicken, continue stirring for another 2 minutes.

  • 4

    Remove from heat and immediately stir in 2 tablespoons of orange blossom water.

  • 5

    Pour the mixture into a clean glass dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.

  • 6

    Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming as it cools.

  • 7

    Let it come to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours until fully set.

  • 8

    Serve in small bowls, topping with honey, crushed pistachios, or fresh fruit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use low-fat milk for Ashta?+

It is best to use full-fat or whole milk to ensure the Ashta has the necessary rich, creamy texture.

How do I know when the mixture is ready to be removed from the heat?+

The pudding is ready when it thickens significantly and bubbles reach the surface, resembling the consistency of thick custard.

What is the secret to a smooth, lump-free texture?+

Whisk the cornstarch into the cold milk thoroughly before heating, and continue stirring constantly over medium heat to prevent clumping.

When should I add the orange blossom water?+

Add the orange blossom water at the very end, just after you remove the pot from the heat, to preserve its delicate fragrance.

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