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SemSem Dessert Trays for Every Occasion
Get ready to indulge! Did you know that SemSem offers a beautiful selection of traditional dessert trays that are perfect for your next event, celebration, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth.
Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or an intimate get-together, we believe no meal is complete without something sweet. At SemSem, our dessert trays feature a rotating selection of Levantine treats, each one rooted in tradition but often finished with a modern twist that makes them uniquely ours.
Kunafa
Few desserts carry as much history, or heart, as kunafa. Its origins are widely traced to the Palestinian city of Nablus in the West Bank, a distinction so cherished that Nablus holds the Guinness World Record for the largest kunafa ever made (74 meters long!). Some accounts suggest its roots go back to the Umayyad period, where it was enjoyed as a filling pre-dawn meal (suhoor) in Damascus, while others place its origin in 15th-century Egypt.
Regardless, it was in Nablus that the iconic orange-hued variation was perfected, using jibneh Nabulsi—a semi-soft, salty white cheese that holds its shape beautifully under heat. The name itself comes from the Arabic root kanaf, meaning “to shelter or protect,” a poetic nod to the way two delicate layers of dough embrace the cheese within.
Today, kunafa is enjoyed across the Levant, Egypt, Turkey, and beyond, in two main styles: khishneh (with a coarse, shredded phyllo topping) and na’ameh (smoother, made with ground semolina). More than just a dessert, kunafa is a symbol of generosity served in celebration, in mourning, and in moments of reconciliation. Its legacy, however, remains deeply rooted in Palestine, a truth reflected in every golden, syrup-soaked bite
One of our more popular desserts is the Qatayef Ashta – (Atayef, sometimes written as qatayef or katayef)
Qatayef
Qatayef is a beloved dessert across the Middle East, all the way from Lebanon and Syria to Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. It is especially enjoyed during the holy month of Ramadan.
What makes these sweet stuffed pancakes truly unique is how they’re prepared: a light, yeasted batter is poured onto a hot surface and cooked on only one side, allowing bubbles to form and the surface to dry while the other side remains soft and pliable. Once cooled, the uncooked side is pressed together to encase a variety of fillings, like sweetened ricotta, spiced nuts, or creamy ashta (clotted cream). The result is a tender, springy pocket of sweetness, often finished with a drizzle of fragrant floral syrup and a sprinkle of crushed pistachios.
Item | Price |
Tahini Cake | $28 |
Anise Cake | $32 |
Mirage Cupcakes | $3.75 each / $28 tray |
Znood el Sett | $21 per dozen |
Coconut Cake | $24 / Bites $32 per kilo |
Walnut Cake | $30 / Bites $40 per kilo |
Date Kaak | $35 per kilo |
Kunafa Qashta | $35 per kilo |
Kunafa Cheese | $40 per kilo |
Fresh Qashta with Pistachio | $35 per kilo |
Ready to Sweeten Your Event?
Dessert trays are available year-round and not just during Ramadan or Eid. Simply fill out our catering form on the Catering page, or give us a call at (613) 733-5736 to discuss your needs. We’d be happy to help you build the perfect spread.
Our desserts are available by the tray, by the kilo, or as individual servings. Really, whatever suits your event best.
Mirage – A decadent semolina basbousa, soaked in sweet syrup and crowned with a luxurious layer of cream. Moist, tender, and utterly satisfying.
Maakaroon – Golden, deep-fried semolina cookies delicately spiced with anise and sesame, then drenched in a fragrant floral syrup.
Tahini Cake – A uniquely rich and moist cake built on a base of sesame tahini. Deeply flavourful and wonderfully unexpected.
Anise Cake – A soft, fragrant cake scented with anise and fennel seeds, topped with a bright lemon tahini frosting. Light, aromatic, and memorable.
Date Bites – Sweet, date-filled cookies topped with sesame. A perfect little bite of tradition.
Znood el Sett – Crisp, golden rolls filled with creamy ashta and drenched in syrup. A true Levantine favourite.
qashta
A rich, thick Middle Eastern clotted cream, topped with pistachio
Puff Pastry with cream
A Puff pastry with fresh cream $3.50 per piece
dates kaak
A terrific date kaak treat, perfect with tea.
Coffee Bun
Our signature coffee bun, $4.50 each
Coconut and Walnut cakes
Soft and fluffy our coconut cake and walnut cake bites are a perfect after dinner treat. (A selection of our bites in kilograms)
Mirage
A classic semolina basbousa, soaked in sweet syrup and with a luxurious layer of cream.
Maakaroon
Deep-fried semolina cookies, spiced with anise and sesame, drenched in a sweet floral syrup.*Sold in Kilogram
Date bites
Date-filled cookies topped with sesame. *Sold in Kilogram
Anise cake
A soft, fragrant cake flavored with the distinct, sweet taste of anisee and fennel seeds. Topped with lemon tahini frosting.
Znood el Sett
Crisp, golden rolls filled with creamy ashta and drenched in syrup. A true Levantine favourite.
Qashta
A creamy, fragrant clotted cream
Tahini Cake
A uniquely moist and rich cake made with a base of sesame tahini.
Dessert trays are available year-round
Our desserts are available by the tray, by the kilo, or as individual servings. Really, whatever suits your event best.
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