21 Most Delicious Desserts From All Over The World

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Relish over some exotic and most delicious desserts from around the world.

Having a delicious dessert is an extremely satisfying part of our meals. “What’s for dessert” is the first thought we have after a savory meal. There are so many incredible sweet treats from around the world that are drool worthy. It would be a dream come true to try them all. After all tasting new cuisines and desserts from different countries is one of the best parts of traveling.

We, a group of travel writers from different parts of the world, bring to you the tastiest, finger-licking desserts you could create a desserts bucket list of.

Contents

Most Delicious Desserts From Around The World

1. Brigadeiro, Brazil

Imagine this. You bite a small chocolate truffle that is as nicely soft as fudge. Still, it melts in your mouth before you even notice, leaving a delicious pure cocoa aftertaste.

I introduce you to the brigadeiro, one of the most popular desserts in Brazil. It’s a recipe that requires only four ingredients, being one of them just to garnish, and the cooking time takes no longer than 15 minutes – isn’t that a good deal or not?!

Brigadeiro means brigadier in Portuguese, and it has this name because these chocolate fudge balls were created to support the presidential campaign of a brigadier in Brazil. Still, despite the support of his female voters, the candidate didn’t win the election. Such a shame because the world surely did win a delicious recipe!

That’s how Brazil won its most famous sweet, and to this day, it is one of – if not the most – consumed desserts in the country.

Contributed by Bruna Venturinelli from I Heart Brazil

2. Tiramisu, Italy

The word “tiramisu” means “pick me up” in Italian, which is quite an appropriate name for this coffee-flavored dessert. Even if you’re not a big coffee drinker, or if Italian espresso is a bit too strong for you, you’re sure to love this smooth, creamy treat. It’s made with alternate layers of ladyfinger biscuits soaked in espresso and a type of whipped cream made from mascarpone cheese.

There are hints of cocoa in there for the chocolate lovers too, and it’s often served with a dusting of cocoa powder on top.

While the original tiramisu recipe calls for eggs and dairy, vegetarians and vegans traveling to Italy will be happy to know that a number of restaurants now offer vegan tiramisu. My favorite is at Rifugio Romano, a cozy trattoria in Rome that offers both vegan and non-vegan versions of traditional Roman dishes.

Contributed by Wendy Werneth from The Nomadic Vegan

3. Tarte Au Citron, Paris

Tarte au citron (lemon tart) is one of the favorite desserts in Paris, any Paris food guide will recommend it! Basically, a tarte au citron consists of a pastry case containing a baked lemon custard. Some versions are topped with meringue whilst other versions come with a piece of chocolate on the top.

Tarte au citron is usually served as a dessert, after the meal. Of course, there are big tartes au citron for many people but in Paris, it is common to find individual tarts like the one shown in fthe picture. All the big pastry brands in Paris propose tartes au citron but it is possible to find it also in bakeries and also in restaurants.

Contributed by Elisa from World in Paris

4. Belgian Waffle, Belgium

Nothing pairs better with a leisurely stroll down the streets of Brussels than a fresh, warm Belgian waffle. Street vendors have been selling waffles to hungry Belgians since the 1800s! And the best part: there are multiple types of Belgian waffles just waiting for you to try.

Start off with Belgium’s most popular option: a rich, sweet Liège waffle made from brioche-style batter. Treating yourself to a Liège waffle means biting into dense, chewy waffle goodness with drops of caramelized pearl sugar baked on top. For an authentic experience, forgo the toppings. Liège waffles are made to be eaten on the go, and no fork needed!

Make sure to also try the classic Brussels waffle. Made with a lighter batter, these waffles crisp up nicely forming deep pockets perfect for holding a bit of extra sweetness on top! Add fruit, confectioners’ sugar or even a little Belgian chocolate to bring your waffle to the next level!  Any true waffle aficionado can easily spot a Brussels waffle by their traditional straight edges and rectangular shape.

Contributed by Courtney from Courtney in the Middle Seat

5. Baklava, Turkey

“Baklava” – a famous sweet from Middle-Eastern, central Asian & Balkan countries. Many people say it originated from the eastern Roman empire but this sweet got popularity from the Ottoman empire in Turkey and many now know this as Turkish sweet.

Also known as placenta cake because Baklava is layers of flaky sheets with crunchy nuts and all sweetened with awesome sugary syrup.  The authentic Turkish version of Baklava contains lots of pistachios and special sweetened frosting over it. And one more great feature of Baklava – Turkish sweet is that it can be eaten at any time of the day.

Within minutes the crunch of sweetened squares or parallelograms melts into your mouth. And I bet, you will always ask for more Baklava if you have one piece.

People also buy Baklava from Turkey as an edible souvenir to gift their relatives and friends. There are many forms of Baklava and fusion of shapes are created but the taste of original Baklava has not lost its importance till now. Vegetarian can also relish Baklava when they visit Turkey.

Contributed by Yukti Agrawal from Travel With Me 24×7

6. Sachertorte, Vienna

Did you even visit Vienna if you didn’t try Sachertorte? The answer is no! This delicious pastry is one of the most famous Viennese culinary specialties and a must when you’re in the city.

Sachertorte is a decadent treat for chocolate lovers. It’s a dense chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam on top. It’s coated with dark chocolate icing on the top and sides and served with unsweetened whipped cream. It is said to have been invented by Franz Sacher in 1832 for Prince Metternich.

If you want to try the original Sachertorte, you have to go to its home, the Sacher Hotel. In 1934, the Demel pastry shop started selling a similar cake under a different name. The hotel owners sued Demel for trademark infringement and won their case 4 years later. As you can see, the Sachertorte is serious business in Vienna!

To get a taste of the original Sachertorte at the Sacher Hotel, you’ll need to wait in line, regardless of when you go. We went in the late afternoon and only had to wait for 15 minutes to get our treats! We were not disappointed!

Contributed by Carine & Derek from We did it our way

7. Gelato, Italy

The quickest way to upset an Italian chef is to tell them that Gelato is just an ice cream. Often imitated nowadays around the world, there’s still nothing quite like tasting Gelato in Italy.

What distinguishes it? Well, Gelato typically contains around 70% less air and more flavorings than other ice creams. Ice cream also has more cream than milk, while Gelato has the opposite. And for the dieters, Gelato has less fat!

There’s always an exciting array of flavors to choose from, including vanilla, chocolate mixes, stracciatella, pistachio, mint, raspberry and so forth. Some gelateria even have 80 different flavors on the go. In Italy it’s typical to serve it either in a cup (coppetta) or a cone (cono) – the choice is yours.

Contributed by Dave Chant from www.davechant.com

8. Ras Malai, India

Indian meal is incomplete without having desserts in the end or basically it is served with an Indian Thali (platter). Ras Malai is West Bengal origin dessert in India. It’s very soft in texture and just melts in your mouth! Ras means juice and Malai means cream.

Ras Malai is made from Paneer (Indian cottage Cheese) and then it is soaked into sweetened thick milk. Almonds, cashews and saffron are added to garnish the dessert. It is typically served chilled after the meals.

Ras Malai is most popular dessert in India, particularly during the festivals of Diwali and Holi. Though Ras Malai is from Bengal, it is very popular in North India. I had best Ras Malai in Varanasi which is a hub for milk based sweets.

Contributed by Mayuri Patel from Fernwehrahee

9. Leche frita, Spain

Leche frita is a delicious Spanish dessert, very surprising because of its consistency and taste. The name “Leche frita” translates as fried milk and, in theory, that is exactly what it is. The fresh milk is boiled and then thickened with cornstarch until it becomes solid. It is then refrigerated overnight, passed through eggs and flour, and then fried.

The leche frita has a creamy consistency on the inside, enclosed in a crunchy shell. Before it is served, leche frita is rolled in sugar and cinnamon, which contribute to this dessert’s flavour. The taste of the leche frita is very delicate, whilst still sweet enough to satisfy any dessert lover.

It is not that common to find leche frita on restaurant’s menus because it takes a long time to cook. I tried it in one of the restaurants in La Cala de Mijas and since returned many times to the same place just to have leche frita again.

Contributed by Joanna from The World In My Pocket

10. Chimney Cake, Hungary

Combining dessert and street food, the Chimney Cake will satisfy even the sweetest of sweet tooths. These cakes, known as Kürtőskalács in Hungary and Romania, are cooked on a spit and are as mesmerizing to watch being made, as they are delicious to eat. Strips of sweet dough are spun and then wrapped around a cone-shaped spit. It’s then traditionally cooked over charcoal whilst being basted with butter.

Chimney cakes are crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside, and always coated in sugar and cinnamon. They are served plain like this, or often filled with delicious goodness such as cream, custard or chocolate spread.

The best way to enjoy Chimney cake is bought from a street food van and eaten on the go, but there are also many cafes, particularly in Budapest, where you can sit and enjoy a Chimney cake with a coffee, whilst watching the world go by.

Contributed by Nell from Adventures With Nell

11. Kunefe, Turkey

Sampling local food in Turkey is a unique experience and this is true for both the savory and the sweet tastes. Probably the Turkish cuisine’s best dessert is the mouthwatering künefe.

This delicious dessert is made of unsalted cheese sandwiched between two layers of string pastry which is then doused in fresh butter and cooked in small copper pans. It is served hot with a dollop of kaymak cream (the Turkish take on clotted cream) or ice-cream on top.

The way künefe tastes and smells is literally out of this world and it’s definitely a special treat everyone should try at least once!

Contributed by Maria & Katerina from It’s All Trip To Me

12. Ensaladas de Fruta (AKA fruit salads), Colombia

One of the most delicious desserts I’ve tried while traveling the world are the ensaladas de fruta (AKA fruit salads) in Cali, Colombia. These aren’t your ordinary fruit salads. First comes the yogurt. Next is the tropical fruits—many of which you probably won’t find at home. After that, you’ve got a huge scoop of ice cream, drizzled with peanuts, coconut shavings, and condensed milk. Lastly (and most importantly), is the cheese.

Yes, I said cheese! The mixture of shredded cheese, ice cream, and fresh fruits is a killer combination you’ll never forget.

If you’re ever in Colombia (especially Cali near Las Canchas Panamericanas), this is a treat you won’t want to miss.

Contributed by Mitch Glass from Project Untethered

13. Mochi, Japan

Mochi, a delectable Japanese rice cake, is a sweet and chewy treat. You can grab one from little local bakeries in Japan, have one for dessert or go all out and enjoy mochi warm and served with dips and Matcha tea. This is how I had it when I spent 4 days in Tokyo. Japanese cuisine is delicious in general so it was no surprise to me that it was delicious.

Often mixed with sugar or sweet red bean paste, these gelatinous balls have been perfected over centuries of production. If you have a really sweet tooth, you can even try mochi ice cream, where they fill the sticky rice with an ice cream filling.

Contributed by Cassie Bailey from Cassie the Hag

14. Melomakarona, Greece

I feel like Melomakarona sum up Greece in one delicious bite. These wonderful biscuits, also known as Greek honey cookies, are the perfect dessert – they work with a strong coffee on the side or grabbed by the handful, by children (and adults) wanting a treat.

Drizzled in honey and cooked with the zest of oranges, they are then scattered with crunchy walnut pieces and are delicious. Every bite is like a taste of the Mediterranean and the warmth and happiness of Greek life.

Primarily cooked in the run up to Christmas the hint of cinnamon feels cozy and comforting. Once you have one you will find it hard to stop!

Contributed by Nichola from Globalmouse Travels

15. Peach Cobbler, South America

There really just is no dessert that screams summertime more than peach cobbler, especially if it comes with a side of vanilla ice cream. You’ll find this dish all over the American South, and it’s even important in parts of the Midwest and Southwest. It’s actually the official state dessert of Oklahoma!

The dish is actually dates back to colonial America, when the settlers had to improvise their dishes from home. Peaches were added because they were abundant in the South, whereas they used different fruits more often in the North.

While similar, the difference between a cobbler and a pie is that cobbler doesn’t require a bottom layer of crust but it always has a top layer, whereas pie must have crust on the bottom and  the crust on top is optional. This makes cobbler a much easier dish to make, since you can sprinkle your crust on instead of worrying about it being perfect. This also means cobbler is easier to turn into a healthy (or at least healthier) option, since you can use less crust on top.

Many peach cobbler recipes have you stew the peaches in sugar first with spices like cinnamon, while simpler recipes call for dumping frozen peaches right into the baking dish.

Contributed by Stephanie Craig from Oklahoma Wonders

16. Flan Cubano, Cuba

Flan Cubano is a traditional Cuban flan recipe topped with a deliciously sweet topping or caramelized sugar called creme caramel.

But really it is the base flan ingredients that make it so delicious. Cuban flan is thick, smooth and creamy because it only uses canned ingredients. While Mexican flan and other flan recipes use fresh milk or sometimes cream cheese, these ingredients are not readily available in Cuba.

Because Cuba struggles with a steady supply of fresh ingredients and milk is reserved for children, Cuban flan uses canned evaporated milk, condensed milk along with egg, sugar and vanilla. It’s so easy to make with only five ingredients.

Contributed by Ayngelina Brogan from Bacon is Magic 

17. Ice Cream Burrito, Taiwan

If you’re visiting Taiwan, you have to try an ice cream burrito.  It is a dessert like none other, and you’ll fall in love as soon as you try it.

An ice cream burrito starts with a thin flour crepe that has a generous helping of peanut nugget shaved onto it.  It is then topped with two scoops of taro or pineapple ice cream and fresh cilantro.  The crepe is rolled up like a burrito, put into a plastic bag, cut in half, and served to you. The cilantro sounds like an odd addition to the dish, but it adds a light and refreshing feel to the dessert.

You can find ice cream burritos at night markets throughout Taiwan, but the most famous place to get one is on Juifen Old Street.  There is always a lineup to get one on Juifen Old Street, but it is well worth the wait!

Contributed by Erica Riley from Travels with Erica

18. Cendol, Malaysia

There is no greater respite from a red hot day in Asia than a bowl of ice-cold cendol, a sublime sweet dessert made of coconut milk, palm sugar syrup and green rice flour jelly.

We first came across cendol at an outdoor market in Kuala Lumpur as we saw a long line of locals queuing for it, so knew instantly we had to try it for ourselves (it is so popular in Malaysia that the Government has listed cendol as a ‘heritage food’).

As well as cooling you down, the best bit is being able to choose your toppings – jackfruit and durian (the notoriously smelly but succulent fruit) seem to be the most popular. Other than to try all the different toppings, our other advice would be to chow down the cendol as fast as possible, before you have a big bowl of melted mush – just try not to get ‘brain freeze’ in the process!

Contributed by Caroline and Neil from CK Travels

19. Suksesskake, Norway

Suksesskake, or suksessterte, is a traditional Norwegian dessert made with almonds that is very popular in the north of Norway, but also available in the south. I tasted it on a Northern Europe cruise, which included ports in Norway, and fell in love after just one bite!

Consisting of layers of almond meringue and a sweet cream filling concocted with egg yolks, sugar, cream, and butter, the gluten free treat is super decadent and super yummy.

The version I had was topped with sliced almonds for a  little crunch. You can also find it topping free or garnished with shaved chocolate. Any way you have it, it is oh-so-delicious!

Contributed by Dhara from It’s Not About the Miles

20. Eton Mess, England

Eton Mess is one of the most English foods you can have. Made from tasty pavlova – make it, don’t buy it – and cream and fruit all mashed together, you really can’t go wrong. Eton Mess apparently came from cricket matches at Eton College around 1900, but now it’s a staple for English summer BBQs.

Traditionally it’s served with strawberries, and strawberry flavoring, but you can also make it with lemon, raspberries, ginger, pineapple or whatever your heart desires to keep things exciting.

Fresh, tart and tasty, I haven’t met anyone in England who doesn’t like an Eton Mess. In fact, it’s my all time favorite dessert – and I’ve tried a lot!

Contributed by Victoria Philpott from Vicky FlipFlop Travels

21. Cranachan, Scotland

Scotland’s King of Desserts is Cranachan. Imagine a rich creamy pudding with a nuttiness, tartness of fresh raspberries and a hint of alcohol and you have Cranachan.

Made originally to celebrate harvest time, it is now a popular dish throughout the year, though especially on Burns Night in January.

Traditionally, Cranachan is made from double or heavy cream whipped until it is holding its shape with crushed, toasted oats, heather honey and of course Scottish whisky blended through. It is then layered in a glass dish with fresh raspberries, and maybe topped off with a piece of shortbread to make a very moreish dessert.

Restaurants around the world have varied the recipe and substituting mango, pineapple or orange, and biscuits, shortbread and even changing the whisky for rum or calvados. It is an easy recipe to make at home, whether you choose to be traditional or change it to suit your taste.

Contributed by Larch from The Silver Nomad

So, here you have it! Our list of most delicious desserts in the world. What desserts have you come across whilst travelling? We’d love to hear about some new ones we might not have heard of. Share with us in the comment section below!

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