ExploFood around the world
Traditional desserts from around the world
66 dishes from 66 countries, grouped by continent.
Africa
- Cocada amarelaAngolaYellow coconut pudding made with egg yolks, sugar and cinnamon
- XalwoDjiboutiSticky, spiced sweet of sugar, butter, cardamom and nutmeg
- Om AliEgyptBaked pudding of pastry soaked in sweet milk with nuts and raisins
- AsidaLibyaThick wheat flour dough served with date syrup and melted butter
- KobaMadagascarSweet paste of peanuts, banana and rice flour, steamed in banana leaves
- DéguéMaliSweet millet couscous mixed with yogurt or curdled milk
- CocadaSão Tomé and PríncipeChewy sweet of grated coconut cooked with sugar
- ThiakrySenegalMillet couscous mixed with sweetened yogurt or curdled milk
- LadobSeychellesRipe plantain or breadfruit cooked in coconut milk, sugar and spices
- XalwoSomaliaChewy sweet of sugar, butter and cardamom, served in small pieces
- Malva puddingSouth AfricaSpongy baked apricot pudding soaked in a sweet cream sauce
- MakroudhTunisiaDiamond-shaped semolina pastry filled with dates, fried and soaked in syrup
Asia
- GataArmeniaSweet layered pastry with a buttery sugar filling
- Bahraini halwaBahrainGlossy jelly-like sweet of starch, sugar, saffron, rosewater and nuts
- Mishti doiBangladeshSweet caramelised yoghurt set in clay pots
- ChurchkhelaGeorgiaStrings of walnuts dipped in thickened grape juice and dried
- Egg tartHong KongCustard tart in shortcrust or flaky pastry
- KleichaIraqCardamom-scented cookies filled with dates or walnuts
- KnafehJordanHot melted white cheese under semolina or shredded pastry, soaked in syrup
- GaimatKuwaitCrunchy fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup or saffron syrup
- Egg tartMacauFlaky pastry cup filled with a caramelised egg custard
- YomariNepalNewari rice-flour dumpling filled with molasses and sesame
- Omani halwaOmanSticky, jelly-like sweet of sugar, ghee, rosewater, saffron and nuts
- KnafehPalestineHot, soft white cheese under shredded pastry, soaked in syrup
- Halo-haloPhilippinesShaved ice with sweet beans, jellies, fruit, leche flan and ube, topped with milk
- Halawet el jibnSyriaSweet cheese dough rolled around cream, with syrup and pistachios
- Mango sticky riceThailandSweet sticky rice with ripe mango and salted coconut cream
- BaklavaTürkiyeLayers of filo pastry with pistachios or walnuts, soaked in syrup
- LuqaimatUnited Arab EmiratesFried dough balls drizzled with date syrup and sesame
- Bint al-sahnYemenLayered buttery pastry baked and drizzled with honey and black seed
Europe
- Crema catalanaAndorraCustard flavoured with lemon and cinnamon under a burnt sugar crust
- SachertorteAustriaDense chocolate cake with apricot jam under a dark chocolate glaze
- Liège waffleBelgiumDense yeast waffle studded with caramelised pearl sugar
- TufahijaBosnia and HerzegovinaPoached apple stuffed with walnuts and topped with whipped cream
- LoukoumadesCyprusSmall fried dough balls soaked in honey or syrup
- KoláčCzechiaRound yeast pastry topped with poppy seed, plum jam or sweet curd cheese
- Danish pastryDenmarkFlaky laminated pastry with custard, fruit or cinnamon
- KorvapuustiFinlandCardamom-spiced cinnamon bun folded into a 'slapped ear' shape
- Black Forest cakeGermanyChocolate sponge layered with cherries, cream and kirsch
- Chimney cakeHungarySweet dough spun around a spit, roasted and rolled in sugar, cinnamon or nuts
- SkyrIcelandThick, mild cultured dairy similar to strained yoghurt
- GelatoItalyDense Italian ice cream, less airy and lower in fat than most ice cream
- SklandrausisLatviaRye-crust tart filled with mashed potato and sweet carrot
- ŠakotisLithuaniaTall spit-baked cake with tree-like spikes, made from eggs, butter and flour
- QuetschentaartLuxembourgOpen tart packed with halved purple plums
- ImqaretMaltaDeep-fried diamond-shaped pastries filled with spiced date paste
- Fougasse monégasqueMonacoSweet orange-blossom pastry topped with almonds, nuts and red and white aniseed sprinkles
- SkolebrødNorwaySweet cardamom bun filled with custard and topped with icing and coconut
- Pastel de nataPortugalFlaky custard tart with a caramelised top
- PapanașiRomaniaFried cheese doughnuts topped with sour cream and berry jam
- Torta Tre MontiSan MarinoLayered wafer cake with hazelnut and chocolate cream, coated in chocolate
- PoticaSloveniaRolled yeast cake with a spiral of walnut, tarragon or poppy-seed filling
- Churros con chocolateSpainFried dough sticks dipped in thick hot chocolate
- KanelbulleSwedenCardamom-scented bun with cinnamon filling and pearl sugar
North America
- Guava duffBahamasRolled dough with guava filling, boiled or steamed and topped with sweet sauce
- ConkiesBarbadosCornmeal, pumpkin, coconut and spice steamed in a banana leaf
- Butter tartCanadaSmall pastry tart with a runny filling of butter, sugar and egg
- RellenitosGuatemalaMashed plantain dumplings filled with sweet black beans, fried and sugared
- Tres lechesNicaraguaSponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk and topped with meringue
- ConkieSaint Kitts and NevisSweet cornmeal, pumpkin and coconut steamed in banana leaves
- Apple pieUnited StatesDouble-crust pie filled with spiced baked apples
Oceania
- PavlovaAustraliaMeringue cake with a crisp shell and soft centre, topped with cream and fruit
- PavlovaNew ZealandCrisp-shelled meringue with a soft centre, topped with cream and fruit
South America
More food lists
Questions
Which countries have the most desserts on this list?
Italy (1), Spain (1) and Portugal (1). Each country has up to five dishes in the Explo app, so this counts the ones that made its shortlist, not everything it cooks.
What dessert should I try first?
Gelato in Italy, Churros con chocolate in Spain, Pastel de nata in Portugal and Black Forest cake in Germany are good places to start: dense Italian ice cream, less airy and lower in fat than most ice cream.
How reliable is this list?
The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app. Recipes and names vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.
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Get ExploDishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app. Recipes and names vary by region.