14 Effortless European Desserts That Are Way Better Than American Sweets
Europe is known for its delicious pastries and unbelievable sweets. They may be the best desserts in the world! If you don’t have time to take a European dessert vacation, then you need to try these 17 super easy recipes that will help you bake flawless sweets just like a professional pastry chef. Try any of these recipes, and you will instantly see why European desserts are so much better than boring American desserts. Just one bite, and you will be hooked!
Mille Feuille
Mille Feuille means “a thousand leaves” in French, and it gets its name from the compacted layers of puff pastry that form this incredibly French dessert. Puff pastry normally rises as it bakes, but here, we weigh it down so that it forms crisp, thin pieces of delicious buttery pastry instead.
Go to the recipe: Mille Feuille
Chouquettes
Made with fluffy choux pastry dough and sweet Swedish pearl sugar, these light and airy chouquettes may be only one or two bites, but they are absolutely irresistible! Serve these delicious French sugar puffs for breakfast with a hot cup of tea or coffee, enjoy a few as an afternoon snack, or after dinner.
Go to the recipe: Chouquettes
Palmiers
These deliciously sweet and buttery French Palmiers cookies are perfectly light, crispy, and crunchy perfection with each bite! Made with just a package of store-bought puff pastry and a bit of sugar, this 2-ingredient easy recipe comes together in just 40 minutes!
Go to the recipe: Palmiers
Sacher Torte Cake
Austrian Sacher Torte cake is a Viennese specialty, and it’s a European cake recipe that defines elegance. Two layers of chocolate sponge cakes, a fine layer of apricot jam, and a smooth chocolate glaze make this dessert a must-try European cake, one of the best European chocolate desserts for sure.
Go to the recipe: Sacher Torte Cake
Basque Burnt Cheesecake
I love Spanish food. This Basque burnt cheesecake recipe comes together in just five minutes and only uses five simple ingredients, yet it has an unbelievable texture and taste. Basque Burnt Cheesecake, or San Sebastian Cheesecake, is the easiest cheesecake of all; honestly, it’s a must-try! There is no water bath, but the result is still the creamiest, most amazing custard-like texture with a caramelized top.
Go to the recipe: Basque Burnt Cheesecake
Tiramisu
Traditional tiramisu is soft and creamy with airy ladyfingers, a rich yet light mascarpone cream, espresso coffee, and a dusting of delicious cocoa powder to finish. Tiramisu originated from the Veneto region in Northern Italy, but it is so popular worldwide that you can enjoy it in Italian restaurants anywhere. And now, you can try my easy recipe and eat it at home too.
Go to the recipe: Tiramisu
Napoleon Cake
You might be mistaken in believing Napoleon cake is French, but it is actually Russian! Napoleon cake is a classic Russian layer cake made of crunchy puff pastry and silky pastry cream. It was first served in 1912 to honor the 100th anniversary of Russia’s victory over Napoleon. It will tower above your dinner table with its many layers of buttery pastry and smooth filling; trust me, this puff pastry dessert is certainly a real showstopper.
Go to the recipe: Napoleon Cake
Crème brûlée
I bet you love ordering crème brûlée as a dessert in restaurants, however, did you know that making Crème brûlée at home is in fact shockingly easy? It is one of the most delicious French custard creams of all that comes together in literally 5 minutes using 3 simple ingredients: cream, egg yolk, and sugar. This is a no-fail, restaurant-like professional yet easy Crème brûlée recipe that will impress everyone, try it!
Go to the recipe: Crème brûlée
Crème Brûlée Choux au Craquelin
This crème brûlée choux au craquelin (cream puff) is filled with silky vanilla pastry cream (Crème Pâtissière) and topped with a crunchy caramelized sugar layer just like traditional Crème Brûlée! Its delicate texture and delicious flavor will certainly impress everyone.
Go to the recipe: Crème Brûlée Choux au Craquelin
Tiramisu Cookies
These delicious, coffee-flavored tiramisu cookies are the perfect after-dinner treat, dessert table addition, or compliment to your morning cup of coffee. A delightful twist on the classic Italian dessert, this easy tiramisu cookie recipe combines espresso powder and sweet mascarpone frosting topped with cocoa powder. No matter how or where you eat them, it is sure to be something that everyone will love!
Go to the recipe: Tiramisu Cookies
Danish Butter Cookies
For a simple yet flavorful dessert or snack that the whole family will love, these buttery and soft Danish butter cookies (also known as Danish biscuits) will not disappoint! We use the same six ingredients from the classic Royal Dansk Danish cookies in the blue tin that many know and love.
Go to the recipe: Danish Butter Cookies
Beignets
Popular in French cuisine and a staple in the Louisiana city of New Orleans, these New Orleans-style homemade beignets are fun to make and hard to resist! Their light, sweet, and pillowy texture make them the perfect treat to enjoy any time of day: For breakfast, an afternoon snack, or dessert. Top them with sugar, fill them with cream, or dip them in your morning coffee.
Go to the recipe: Beignets
Chocolate Mousse Cups
These no-bake, five-ingredient chocolate mousse cups are a chocolate lover’s dream come true! Made with rich dark chocolate and topped with delicious airy chantilly cream and sweet chocolate shavings, they are the perfect treat to satisfy your post-dinner sweet tooth. Not only are these drool-worthy desserts easy to make, but they are also eye-catching and beautiful!
Go to the recipe: Chocolate Mousse Cups
Lussekatter (Swedish Saffron Buns)
Traditional Swedish saffron buns called Lussekatter (named after Lucia cats) are the ultimate saffron-infused fluffy yeasted brioche to bake before the holidays! These buns are crazy moist and delicious. They are primarily made for St. Lucia Day (December 13th) but are enjoyed throughout November and December in Sweden. Imagine delicious saffron-infused buttery, pillowy brioche dough that is super soft and the perfect addition to your coffee or tea.
Go to the recipe: Lussekatter (Swedish Saffron Buns)
