Apple Murabba (Seb ka Murabba)

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Easy

Apple murabba keeps firm apple pieces suspended in a glossy cardamom-saffron syrup. It is eaten by the spoonful or with flatbread and yogurt. Makes 2 cups in about 13 hr 5 min.

Prep 20 min

Cook 45 min

Cooling 12 hr

Total 13 hr 5 min

Servings 16

Diet Gluten free, Vegan

Ingredients

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servings

1 ¾ lb (800 g)firm tart apples, peeled, cored, cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces
4 cups (800 g)granulated sugar
1 ⅔ cups (400 ml)water
¼ cup (60 ml)lemon juice
¾ tsp (2 g)ground green cardamom
1 pinchsaffron threads
2 ½ tbsp (20 g)slivered almonds, optional

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Instructions

Drop the apple pieces into water mixed with a spoonful of lemon juice as you cut them so they stay pale. Drain well.
Boil the apple pieces in plain water for 3 to 4 minutes until barely tender at the edges but firm in the center. Drain and set aside.
In a wide heavy pot, simmer the 400 ml water, sugar and lemon juice, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then boil 8 to 10 minutes until the syrup is slightly sticky (about 220 F / 104 C).
Add the apples, cardamom and saffron. Simmer very gently 20 to 25 minutes until the fruit looks glossy and translucent and the syrup coats a spoon.
Turn off the heat, add the almonds, and let the pot sit uncovered until completely cool, ideally overnight, so the fruit absorbs the syrup.
If the syrup is thin the next day, warm the pot again 5 minutes, then cool. Transfer to clean jars and refrigerate.

Tips

Do not stir hard once the apples are in or they will break; shake the pot instead.
Use apples that hold their shape such as Granny Smith.
Good with plain yogurt.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make apple murabba (seb ka murabba)?

Plan on 20 minutes of prep and 45 minutes of cooking, plus 12 hours to chill. The recipe makes 2 cups (16 servings).

How should I store apple murabba (seb ka murabba)?

Refrigerate in clean jars up to 1 month or freeze up to 6 months. This is not a shelf-stable canning recipe.

Can I make apple murabba (seb ka murabba) ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Is this recipe vegan?

Yes, as written. Check that packaged ingredients such as chocolate, sprinkles and plant butter are labeled vegan.

Murabba is a fruit preserve of South Asia and the Middle East in which fruit pieces are cooked slowly in sugar syrup. Serve it with plain yogurt.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 16 servings this recipe makes.

228 Calories / serving

0.7g Fat

57.7g Carbs

0.5g Protein

55.2g Sugar

Whole recipe (16 servings): ~3648 cal · 11g fat · 923g carbs · 8g protein · 883g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.