10 Traditional Desserts to Try Around the World + Recipes

By Marie-Antoinette Issa.

Sure museums, malls and historical monuments are great, but the best way to get a real taste of a country is to sink your teeth into things - literally! The sweetest way to start is with these 10 delicious desserts around the world: 

Crème brûlée, meaning ‘burnt cream’ in French, has its origins in 17th Century France. It consists of a rich custard base topped with a layer of caramelised sugar. The dessert is characterised by its creamy texture contrasted with a crunchy, caramelised top, that is often flavoured subtly with vanilla.

 

Crème brûlée is a staple in French cuisine, often served in fine dining restaurants and enjoyed during special occasions, reflecting the country's emphasis on culinary elegance and refinement.

Alongside pizza and pasta, Italian desserts are some of the best in the world with the most delicious among them being tiramisu (translation: ‘pick me up’ or ‘cheer me up’). Originating in the Veneto region of Italy in the 1960s, it is made with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfinger biscuits and mascarpone cheese, to create an indulgent treat rich with flavours and textures.

 

Despite its origins as a beloved Italian dessert, representing comfort and hospitality, tiramisu has become popular worldwide and is often enjoyed as a finale to a hearty meal of any cuisine.  

Baklava traces its origins to the Ottoman Empire but is widely enjoyed across the Middle East, including Lebanon. It consists of crispy layers of filo pastry and the sweetness of honey or syrup, complemented by the nutty flavours of pistachios, walnuts or almonds.

In Lebanon and throughout the Middle East, baklava is often served during celebrations and festive occasions, embodying the culture’s generosity and hospitality.

Gulab jamun is a popular dessert in India, believed to have originated in Medieval times. It consists of soft, deep-fried dough balls soaked in a sugary syrup flavoured with rosewater or cardamom. The dessert is rich, sweet and aromatic, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

 

It's often enjoyed warm, making it a comforting treat. Gulab jamun is particularly popular at weddings, festivals like Diwali and other celebrations in India, symbolising sweetness and prosperity.

Mochi, a traditional Japanese dessert, dates back more than a thousand years. It is made from glutinous rice pounded into a sticky paste and moulded into various shapes, often filled with sweetened red bean paste. Mochi has a chewy texture and subtle sweetness from the rice and filling.

 

It comes in different flavours and variations, including matcha and seasonal fruit. In Japan, mochi is enjoyed year-round but holds special significance during New Year celebrations as a symbol of good fortune and longevity.

Tres leches cake, meaning ‘three milks cake’, battles claims of ownership from both Mexico and Nicaragua. It is a sponge cake soaked in a mixture of evaporated milk, condensed milk and heavy cream and is popular for delivering a milky sweetness that's not overly heavy - particularly when often topped with whipped cream or fresh fruit.

A much-loved dessert across several Latin American countries, tres leches cake is often enjoyed at birthdays, holidays and family gatherings.

 

Alfajores are traditional cookies from Spain, brought to Argentina during the colonial period. They consist of two buttery shortbread cookies sandwiched together with dulce de leche and often coated with powdered sugar or chocolate. 

Alfajores are buttery, crumbly and sweet, with the richness of dulce de leche providing a creamy contrast. Alfajores are a beloved treat in Argentina, enjoyed with coffee or mate (traditional herbal tea). 

 

Key lime pie originated in the Florida Keys, United States, in the late 19th or early 20th Century. It features a tangy filling made from key lime juice, eggs and sweetened condensed milk, baked in a cracker crust. The pie is refreshingly tart yet sweet, with a creamy texture and a hint of citrus from the key lime juice.

Key Lime Pie is a quintessential American dessert, particularly associated with Florida's culinary heritage. It's enjoyed year-round but is especially popular during Summer.

 

Sachertorte was invented in 1832 by Austrian Franz Sacher. It is a dense chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam and topped with dark chocolate icing. Sachertorte is rich and decadent, with a perfect balance of bittersweet chocolate and fruity apricot flavours.

Sachertorte is a symbol of Viennese elegance and sophistication and is often enjoyed in cafes across the country, accompanied by a cup of coffee. 

 

Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova and while Australia and New Zealand claim to have invented it, its exact origin continues to be debated. Friendly rivalry aside, the camaraderie between the two countries ensures that both can agree that the pavlova’s crisp outer shell, light marshmallow-like centre and whipped cream and tropical fruit toppings make it a practically perfect Summer treat.