25 International Sweets That Will Make You Want to Pack Your Bags
Desserts have a way of bringing joy to any meal, and exploring sweets from different cultures adds a fun twist. Across the globe, people have created delightful confections, from creamy custards to flaky pastries, each with its own signature flavor. Trying out these diverse dessert recipes can be a delicious adventure, letting you experience new tastes and traditions right from your kitchen. It’s the perfect way to sweeten up your day with something special!
Karanji, Maharashtrian Coconut Pastries
The combination of sweet, aromatic, toasted coconut accented with nutty poppy seeds, sesame seeds, and creamy crushed cashews makes karanji a crowdpleaser (even for people who aren’t fond of coconut). Add a pinch of nutmeg and a dash of floral cardamom, and you’ve got all the markings of a characteristically sweet and subtly spiced Indian sweet everyone is sure to love.
Get the Recipe: Karanji, Maharashtrian Coconut Pastries
Ghriba Moroccan Cookies with Almond Flour
Delicious Moroccan almond cookies (Ghribia) made from authentic recipe. Quick and easy to make, gluten-free and absolutely delicious!
Get the Recipe: Ghriba Moroccan Cookies with Almond Flour
Carlota de Limón (Mexican Lime Icebox Cake)
Carlota de limón is an incredibly delicious icebox-style cake. I promise the first time you taste it, your tastebuds will explode with delight and your mind will be blown at the simplicity of this killer dessert.
Get the Recipe: Carlota de Limón (Mexican Lime Icebox Cake)
Italian Tiramisu
Homemade Tiramisu is a delightful Italian dessert made with layers of creamy mascarpone cheese, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, and a dusting of cocoa. Discover how to store tiramisu in the fridge (or freezer) to ensure it stays delicious and maintains its creamy texture.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tiramisu
Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa Recipe)
It is one of the most popular classic Indian desserts you can find in Indian households. It is very rich, creamy, tasty with the goodness of khoya and milk, nuts and natural sweetness of carrots. This so easy and fuss-free dessert is a near-universal treat during any Indian festival and happy occasion!
Get the Recipe: Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa Recipe)
Cajeta (Caramel) Empanadas
Made with a soft dough that is coated with cinnamon and sugar and stuffed with sweet dulce de leche, or caramel, these dessert empanadas are wonderfully tasty and satisfying!
Get the Recipe: Cajeta (Caramel) Empanadas
Ukadiche Modak
Traditional Maharashtrian ukadiche modak are sweet steamed dumplings made from rice flour, with a sweet coconut and jaggery filling. The perfect recipe for Ganesh Chaturthi.
Get the Recipe: Ukadiche Modak
Green Tea Mochi Cake
Rich and chewy Matcha Butter Mochi with a delicious crisp exterior. This Japanese and Hawaiian fusion mochi cake is made with green tea powder for a fresh and sweet flavor.
Get the Recipe: Green Tea Mochi Cake
Mini Coco Mango Floats
Mango Float is a traditional Filipino dessert served cold and made of layers of fresh mango pieces, graham cookies, and whipped condensed milk cream. However, this version is slightly different because it’s made in individual vessels and uses coconut milk instead of condensed milk, making it a tad more tropical.
Get the Recipe: Mini Coco Mango Floats
Norwegian Krydderkake (Spice Cake)
Known for its warm spices and ultra-moist texture, the Norwegian krydderkake (spice cake) is winter cake perfection.
Get the Recipe: Norwegian Krydderkake (Spice Cake)
Italian Pignoli Cookies (Pine Nut Cookies)
Pignoli cookies (pine nut cookies) are a classic Italian confection. They’re made with almond paste and eggs, making them naturally gluten free. Chewy, sweet, and delicious!
Get the Recipe: Italian Pignoli Cookies (Pine Nut Cookies)
Russian Easter Bread (Kulich)
Fill your home with the heavenly aroma of warm, buttery bread this Easter with a traditional Russian Easter Bread, also known as Kulich. This rich and flavorful sweet bread decorated with sprinkles, raisins, or citrus peels is a centerpiece of the Russian Orthodox Easter celebration.
Get the Recipe: Russian Easter Bread (Kulich)
Hotteok Korean Sweet Pancake Recipe
Crispy and sweet Hotteok filled with a nutty brown sugar syrup. This Korean sweet pancake recipe is authentic, made just like street food vendors in South Korea.
Get the Recipe: Hotteok Korean Sweet Pancake Recipe
Spanish Rice Pudding (Arroz con Leche)
Classic quick, simple, easy, and comforting, this Spanish Rice Pudding recipe is sweet and simple. Deliciously creamy and rich it’s the best cool weather dessert, perfect for the whole family to enjoy at any time.
Get the Recipe: Spanish Rice Pudding (Arroz con Leche)
Ravioli Dolce (Italian Sweet Ravioli)
These traditional Northern Italian sweet ravioli are a unique and delicious way to serve pasta. These cjarsons are filled with prunes, figs and ricotta and served with melted butter, cinnamon and sugar!
Get the Recipe: Ravioli Dolce (Italian Sweet Ravioli)
Tiramisu Cake
Rich and creamy, this easy tiramisu recipe is one of the best desserts we’ve ever had the privilege of devouring. A showstopping no-bake treat, Tiramisu Cake is guaranteed to impress your guests. We’re sharing our best tips and tricks to make sure your tiramisu turns out perfectly every time.
Get the Recipe: Tiramisu Cake
Italian Panettone
Italian panettone is a classic Christmas bread that’s loved for its sweet, fruity flavor and rich, buttery texture. This traditional Italian dessert is often enjoyed during the holiday season, but it’s delicious any time of year.
Get the Recipe: Italian Panettone
Caramel Flan or Quesillo
Whether you call it Caramel Flan or Quesillo, this 4-ingredient Venezuelan dessert has a firm but creamy texture with a decadent caramel flavor. Learn how to make it with this recipe.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Flan or Quesillo
Milk Barfi
Plain White Milk Barfi is an Indian sweet made from milk powder and is prepared for special occasions. This Milk Powder Barfi Recipe has a crumbly texture just like the Barfi you would find in Indian sweet shops.
Get the Recipe: Milk Barfi
Kifle
Kifle are a traditional crescent-shaped pastry with apricot, raspberry, nut or cheese filling. This recipe has been handed down through the generations and is always a part of our Christmas festivities.
Get the Recipe: Kifle
Butterkuchen (German Butter Cake)
Butterkuchen (German butter cake) is a timeless, old-fashioned dessert. In Germany, we often serve afternoon cake with coffee or tea.
Get the Recipe: Butterkuchen
Almond Biscotti
This Almond Biscotti recipe will give you classic Italian cookies with a satisfying crunch and delicious flavor that pairs beautifully with coffee or tea. Plus, the dried cranberries make them an absolute treat that’s perfect for the holiday season!
Get the Recipe: Almond Biscotti
Seviyan Kheer (Vermicelli Kheer)
This quick seviyan kheer recipe I’m sharing with you today is made from nutty roasted vermicelli noddles which soak up the creamy and rich condensed sweetened milk. It’s garnished with chopped nuts and flavoured with floral notes from saffron, zesty cardamom, and rose water.
Get the Recipe: Seviyan Kheer (Vermicelli Kheer)
Maamoul (Date Filled Cookies)
These buttery cookies have a soft melting texture and delicious date filling. Maamoul cookies are a little crumbly and not too sweet. The beautiful design and dusting of powdered sugar make them well-suited for holidays. And they’re so good you’ll want to eat them year round.
Get the Recipe: Maamoul (Date Filled Cookies)
French Apple Crumb Cake
French Apple Crumb Cake is a delicious cross between apple pie and tart tatin. The cake is covered in a soft, buttery crumb topping that’s similar to what you’d find on a really good New York Crumb cake and as thick as the cake itself.
Get the Recipe: French Apple Crumb Cake
