The original name of this dessert, ka'kat albaskoot, translates from Arabic literally as "biscuit cake," ("cookie cake" in the US) but a three-layer custard and jelly cookie cake isn't exactly what Americans imagine as "cookie cake."

However, this version is one that's seen mainly in the Middle East and North Africa and is especially popular during Ramadan. There are a few different versions, some that look like a banana tea biscuit tiramisu, and some looking like the recipe below. The common thread: tea biscuits, bananas, and custard. This recipe is relatively simple, and looks so pretty with its defined layers. Here's how to make it.

3-Layer Custard and Jelly Cookie Cake

  • Prep Time:10 hrs 45 mins
  • Cook Time:25 mins
  • Total Time:11 hrs 10 mins
  • Servings:12
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 150g Ziyad Brand Tea Biscuits
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 6 tablespoons melted butter
  • 3 tablespoons Foster and Clark's custard powder
  • 500ml milk
  • 1 package Foster and Clark's Strawberry Banana gelatin
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 sliced banana
pie, cheesecake, cream, candy, pastry, chocolate, sweet, cake
Jennifer Nigro

  • Step 1

    Preheat oven to 375°F. Crush the tea biscuits in a food processor. Add the powdered sugar and pulse until combined. Add the melted butter and pulse until combined. Spread out the crust in a 7x11in baking dish (or a similar size) and bake for 15 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.

  • Step 2

    In a glass bowl, add 3 tablespoons of custard powder. Take 3 tablespoons from the 500ml portion of milk and add it to the custard powder. Whisk it together until combined. If the ingredients on your custard powder are different, prepare it according to those instructions.

  • Step 3

    Add the rest of the milk to a medium saucepan. Bring the milk to a boil and add it to the custard powder and milk base. Whisk until combined and smooth.

  • Step 4

    Add it back to the saucepan and boil until thickened, whisking constantly. When it's thickened, let it cool briefly and pour it over the tea biscuit crust. Chill for 2 hours.

  • Step 5

    Add a packet of strawberry banana-flavored gelatin dessert to a glass bowl. If you can't find strawberry banana, regular strawberry is fine. Add 1 cup of boiling water and whisk until dissolved. Chill for 30 minutes. If the instructions on your gelatin are different, prepare it according to those instructions.

  • Step 6

    Add the gelatin slowly and carefully on top of the custard. You can use a spoon to disperse the spread if it's helpful. Add the bananas and chill overnight.

  • Step 7

    Cut into squares and enjoy!