35 of the World’s Most Delicious Desserts

No matter where you go in the world, one fact remains true: everybody loves a sweet, sugary treat from time to time. While different regions have different types of desserts, they all taste great, and you should definitely try them all.

In this article, we have listed one dessert from 30+ countries all around the world, from Argentina to Turkey.

So, let’s get into it.

1. Argentina: Alfajores de Chocolate

A classic sweet commonly made with flour, honey, and nuts is known as an alfajor. Although this delicacy has Spanish roots (see also ‘27 Amazing Traditional Spanish Desserts‘), it is a beloved delicacy in Argentina.

The tart dulce de leche contrasted with the dense yet delicately spiced cookie flavor is wonderful, and the chocolate coating takes it to the next level!

2. Australia: Pavlova

A dessert with meringue as its core, pavlova is a specialty of Oceania. It features a gooey interior and a crunchy exterior texture. The inside of a Pavlova is filled with whipped cream, fruits, and is quite simple to make.

The summertime pavlova is a favorite among Australians because it is light, refreshing, and comforting—especially when the weather reaches its peak.

3. Austria: Apfelstrudel

This recipe for apple strudel, or ‘Apfelstrudel’ as it is known in German (see also ‘Want Authentic German Cuisine? Try These 27 Recipes!‘), is much simpler to make than it first appears.

For a genuine flavor, the straightforward, sweet interior is made with sugar-coated fresh apples, cinnamon, and raisins, and the flaky crust melts on your tongue.

4. Brazil: Brigadeiro

The brigadeiro is one of the most well-known and adored desserts in Brazil. It’s impossible not to love them because they are so rich and fudgy.

The simplicity of this dish makes it well worth learning. You have the option of covering the truffles in either basic chocolate sprinkles, or vibrant rainbow ones!

5. Canada: Nanaimo Bars

If you haven’t tasted these yummy Canadian bars before, you should most definitely do so. 

The layers of chocolate creaminess and crispness are wonderfully captivating. The sugary interior is countered by the nutty chocolate shell, and the chocolate garnish simply makes it more decadent.

6. China: Jian Dui

One of the most well-liked desserts in China are these sesame seed balls, which are available in dim sum restaurants and are also sold by street sellers.

These chewy sweet balls are toasted, buttery, and sweet and have a crunchy outside with a gooey center.

On your first attempt, it could be challenging to accurately reproduce the authentic sesame seed balls sold at Chinese bakeries (see also ‘28 Of The Best Traditional Chinese Dessert Recipes‘), but your version will still be wonderful.

7. Croatia: Fritule

These small donuts known as Croatian fritters are common along the Dalmatian coast. They are available across Croatia and are a popular Christmas delicacy as well as a delicious breakfast, or a nibble alongside a cup of coffee.

Making fritules only requires mixing the ingredients together, then frying them till crispy. Add some powdered sugar after that, and you’re good to go!

8. Cyprus: Melomakarona

Since they are a staple in practically every Cypriot’s home during the holidays, melomakarona are arguably the most recognizable Christmas cookies in the country.

Varied regions of Cyprus have diverse melomakarona recipes, and most families use their own. This dessert should, however, always have a crispy exterior and a delicious honey within.

You may be sure that your home will smell like Christmas when you bake these delicacies!

9. Denmark: Drømmekage 

One of the oldest and most well-known Danish cakes is the one made according to the drømmekage recipe. Drømmekage simply translates to ‘dream cake’, presumably because the cake actually tastes like a dream.

Essentially, this is a straightforward cake, made using the typical ingredients. The cake’s actual distinctive flavor comes from the coconut coating.

10. France: Crème Brûlée

One of the most popular desserts (see also ‘35 Of The Most Incredible And Easiest Desserts You Can Make At Home‘), not only in France but all across the world, is the beautiful, timeless crème brûlée.

Although making this dish may seem difficult, it is actually rather easy. It simply requires simmering the cream, adding the ingredients, baking, and chilling. Only 5 ingredients are needed!

Its distinctive caramelized sugar topping, which is easy to produce with a cooking torch, only takes a few minutes.

11. Germany: Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

The most popular German dessert is Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, or the black forest gâteau.

Unofficial sources contend that the dark, forest-like appearance of the chocolate shavings on the sides is where the gâteau’s name originated. Even though it has been present since the 1930s, it continues to be widely used today.

The three levels of delectable chocolate sponge in this dessert are sandwiched together with cherries, Kirsch, whipped cream, and chocolate flakes.

12. Greece: Galaktoboureko

One of the most popular Greek desserts is galaktoboureko, and Syrian and Turkish cuisines also enjoy its variations.

When the name is split into two parts, the English translation roughly translates to ‘filled with milk’, which perfectly describes the creamy filling of the pie. Other names for it include ‘milk pie’ and ‘Greek custard pie’.

13. Hungary: Dobos Torta

The dobos torta is a rich, buttercream-filled sponge cake, popular in Hungary. It has seven layers of thin cake and is occasionally dusted with crushed nuts.

This truly exquisite dish is from Hungary and is delightfully delicious. The filling is incredibly sweet and velvety, and the cake is light and airy.

The assembly of the dessert only takes a little more than an hour, with each layer only needing to bake for less than 10 minutes.

14. India: Kaju Katli 

The Indian dessert (check out our favorite Asian desserts ), kaju katli, is frequently produced by thickening milk with sugar and additional components like dry fruits and mild spices.

The bite-sized bars have a melt-in-your-mouth quality, and are rich and buttery. It has subtle rose water, saffron (see also ‘5 Saffron Substitutes‘), and/or cardamom powder flavors.

Although the preparation for this meal can seem a little time-consuming, we assure you that the work is totally worthwhile!

15. Indonesia: Dadar Gulung

Dadar Gulung is the name of these mouthwatering curled coconut pancakes, a common street food snack in Indonesia.

They have shredded coconut inside a visually appealing emerald-green pancake wrapper that is flavored with pandan extract and sweetened with golden palm sugar.

16. Israel: Halva

Halva, a rich, sugary, and occasionally brittle candy, is a favorite snack all over the world. The typical sesame flavor is one of several mouthwatering alternatives, along with chocolate, pistachio, coconut, and a host of others.

Despite being an Arabic dish, halva is a delicious delight that is loved by Jewish families (see also ‘27 Traditional Jewish Dishes‘) all over the world, and is especially common in Israel.

17. Italy: Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a dessert with espresso flavor that is made of ladyfingers soaked in coffee and mascarpone cream (see also ‘10 Mascarpone Cheese Substitutes‘). Before serving, the dessert is dusted with chocolate.

Despite being an Italian delicacy, this one is incredibly well-liked everywhere. Who doesn’t enjoy the taste of coffee and cream, after all?

18. Jamaica: Grater Cake

A grater cake is not exactly a cake, despite its name. With sugar, water, and freshly shredded coconut as its main components, it is more akin to a type of confection.

You will adore this dish if you enjoy coconut-flavored treats. A few items are needed to make this very straightforward yet wonderful Caribbean island delight.

19. Japan: Mochi

Steamed white rice, sticky rice, or steamed brown rice are used to make the Japanese rice cake, known as mochi. 

Different fillings will be used to stuff various types of mochi, such as kiwi and strawberries.

In order to keep it from hardening, fresh mochi should be consumed the same day that it is created. It is exceedingly malleable, soft, gluey, and chewy.

20. Lebanon: Knafeh

A base of grated Phyllo dough, a layer of sweet cheese, and a specific filling concoction are used to make the popular Lebanese delicacy known as knafeh. 

This is a delightful savory and sweet dish is created by adding a simple syrup on top.

Similar to waffles or pancakes in American cuisine, Knafeh is a common breakfast dish in the Middle East. It tastes best when it is hot or warm.

21. Malawi: Mbatata

Mbatata are sweet potato cookies from Malawi that are simple to make, chewy, and cake-like, making them the ideal healthy cookie recipe to satisfy your cookie yearnings.

These cookies are traditionally made with a heart-shaped cutout, paying sincere homage to the inhabitants and culture of Malawi.

22. Mexico: Plátanos Fritos

In the coastal regions of Mexico, fried plantains, or plátanos fritos, are a delectable side item frequently paired with white rice. They can be offered as a sweet dish or a savory one.

The plantains are topped with cream and cheese or condensed milk when they are served as dessert. They are created using riper plantains, and can also be found baked or grilled.

23. The Netherlands: Stroopwafels

Both Dutch residents and foreign visitors adore these delicate waffle cookies filled with caramel.

The cookie’s exterior resembles both a sugar cone and a Belgian waffle, and its sweet interior is extremely smooth and delicious.

It’s a tried-and-true Dutch tip to place a stroopwafel on top of a hot cup of coffee or tea for a few minutes if you can’t eat one straight off the waffle iron, to keep it warm!

24. New Zealand: Lolly Cake

A lolly cake, sometimes known as a lolly log, is a type of cake or dessert that is popular in New Zealand. It is not actually a cake, but some crushed up cookies and candy that have been placed together.

This dish requires no baking because all you have to do is combine the ingredients and put them in a form to set. When the cake is done, cut a slice and savor a crumbly chunk!

25. Norway: Kransekake

The Kransekake is Scandinavia’s national cake. 

A typical Kransekake should contain at least 18 rings, although more festive cakes might have many more tiers. The rings are stacked on top of one another and secured with icing.

The cake, which has a crisp outside and a spongy interior, is served by taking out each ring one at a time and chopping it into smaller chunks.

26. Paraguay: Kosereva

Sour orange peels, sugar, and molasses are the main ingredients in the delightful Paraguayan delicacy, known as kosereva. 

Because of its lengthy cooking time, this Paraguayan dish is losing some of its appeal in recent times. However, this dish is evidence that sometimes the finest things in life necessitate a bit more consideration and effort.

27. Philippines: Halo-Halo

Halo-halo, which is Tagalog for ‘mix-mix’, is a dessert that typically consists of several layers of sweet ingredients, such as jackfruit, coconut jellies, tapioca pearls, and shaved ice.

This colorful meal is as diverse in flavors and textures as it is in colors. With savory and sweet aromas combined with smooth, crisp, and buttery textures, and energizing ice microchips, each element balances the others’ flavors.

28. Poland: Chruściki

Chruciki are lengthy strips of delicately formed, crunchy, and light pastry that are deep-fried in lard and liberally dusted with finely ground sugar.

These Polish sweet treats (see also ‘17 Authentic And Delicious Polish Dessert Recipes‘) are typically savored in the weeks before Lent, during the period of Carnival. They are occasionally offered around the Christmas season (see also our favorite Christmas desserts).

29. Spain: Tarta de Santiago

Santiago, or St. James, the patron saint of Spain, is honored by the name of this delectable almond cake, the Tarta de Santiago. It looks fantastic, and tastes delicious!

Traditionally, the cake is topped with a stencil of Santiago’s sword before being covered in powdered sugar. The marks will then be visible after the stencil has been taken off, displaying the sword of Santiago.

30. Sweden: Äppelkaka

The äppelkaka is a cake with an apple flavor that is available in a wide range of dimensions.

The Swedish cake has a fluffy center and a crunchy exterior. It is rather thin and compact compared to other cakes. Cinnamon and brown sugar are mixed in with the apples, giving them a lovely dark color when cooked.

31. Switzerland: Bündner Nusstorte

This dish is a typical dessert that comes from Graubünden in Switzerland, and consists of a shortbread pastry packed with nuts and caramel.

The earliest recorded version was created in 1900, and it is still widely used today. Today, it is recommended to serve the cake divided into slices, with a hot beverage, like coffee or tea, on the side.

32. Thailand: Khanom Chan

Khanom Chan is a cake that possesses a gummy consistency, and is soft, jelly-like, and sometimes colorful. The Khanom Chan made with this recipe is green, but various hues are possible depending on the ingredients.

Layers of a steamed batter consisting of coconut milk, sticky rice flour, tapioca, and arrowroot starches are used to make these wonderful, colorful Thai delights.

33. Turkey: Baklava

Filo pastry is used to make the layered confection, known as baklava. Crushed nuts are stuffed into the dough, and it is sweetened with syrup or honey. This dessert is among Turkish cuisine’s most well-liked sweet pastries.

In this recipe, a subtle trace of soothing lemon taste balances the sweetness of the baklava, and enhances the cinnamon.

34. The UK: Eton Mess

Any collection of summer recipes must contain this iconic British treat. At the height of summer when they are in abundance, the dish is quick and simple to prepare and makes excellent use of luscious strawberries.

This dish, which has a meringue foundation and lots of fresh strawberries, is absolutely delightful.

35. The US: Apple Pie

Lastly, we have the all-American apple pie. 

This is a classic all around the world, having been given different names in different regions across the globe.

Disputes about which apple type makes the best pies arise, since homemade apple pie is a source of great pride. Ultimately, it will taste exquisite any way because of its sweet crust and sugary coating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Most Popular Dessert In The World?

Depending on where you live in the world, certain desserts will be more popular than others. However, there are certain desserts that remain popular worldwide, such as pies, cakes, and pastries. 

Apple pie, in particular, is a popular delicacy in many countries, although it originates in the US. Italy’s tiramisu and France’s crème brûlée are also popular desserts worldwide.

What Is A dessert?

Dessert is the final course of a meal, usually something sweet that comes after the main course. 

The course typically consists of sweet treats, like candies, and perhaps a drink like a dessert wine, or a liqueur.

While some nations view dessert as an essential component of every meal, others reserve desserts as a delicious treat that can only be savored on special occasions, like birthdays.

When Was Dessert Invented?

The word ‘dessert’, which is derived from the French verb ‘desservir’, which in English means ‘to clear the table’, first originated in the 17th century. 

Before the last course, etiquette demanded that napkins and tablecloths be replaced.  Sometimes, following the removal of dirty tablecloths, a fruit dish was given to those eating. 

This dish was referred to as ‘le fruit’ in a courtly setting, but the bourgeois called it ‘dessert’. 

Desserts became in popularity as time went on and sugar became more affordable and widely available.

Final Thoughts

So, there we have it! Those were our top 35 picks for the tastiest traditional desserts from places all around the world. 

There were so many more to choose from, and it was difficult choosing just one tasty treat from each country.

Each of our picks are so delicious, and we recommend that you try all of them at some point, especially if you ever find yourself visiting any of the countries yourself.

We hope you found this article interesting and informative.

Happy baking!