45 delicious dessert recipes from around the world
Gazelle Horns, or Kaab El Ghazal, are delicate, crescent-shaped cookies originating from North Africa, particularly popular in Algeria and Morocco. They feature a sweet, tender shortcrust pastry filled with a fragrant almond paste, often flavored with orange blossom water and cinnamon. Traditionally, they are coated in powdered sugar.
Sweet, golden-brown fried dough balls, often drizzled with honey or syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds. These are a popular treat, especially during celebrations.
Ma9roudet Louz, meaning 'almond makroud', is a delightful Algerian pastry from the region of Constantine. Unlike the semolina-based makroud, this version features a rich almond filling encased in a delicate, flaky dough, often flavored with orange blossom water and honey.
Delicate Algerian almond pastries soaked in honey and flavored with orange blossom water. These treats are often prepared for special occasions and holidays.
A delightful assortment of traditional Algerian oriental pastries, often prepared for special occasions and holidays. This selection typically includes a variety of almond-based cookies, honey-drenched treats, and intricately shaped sweets, showcasing the rich pastry heritage of Algeria.
A delightful and subtly sweet rice dish from Angola, Arroz de Coco e Papaia balances the creamy richness of coconut milk with the tropical sweetness of papaya. It's often served as a side dish or a light dessert.
A hearty and nutritious breakfast or dessert porridge made from sorghum (mabele), enriched with the flavor and texture of ground peanuts. This dish is a staple, offering a wholesome start to the day.
A simple yet delightful Cape Verdean dessert featuring sweet potatoes simmered in a rich coconut milk and caramel sauce. This dish is tropical, comforting, and showcases the natural sweetness of the ingredients.
Gufonginho de Batata Doce are small, fried pastries made from a dough of cornmeal and sweet potato, offering a slightly sweet and satisfying bite. They are a popular treat in Cape Verde, often enjoyed as a snack or dessert.
A sweet and creamy dessert made with ripe bananas, coconut milk, and a touch of sweetness, often baked until golden.
Sweet, crispy, and fluffy banana fritters, a popular snack or dessert in Comoros. Made with ripe bananas, flour, and a touch of sweetness, these fritters are a delightful taste of the islands.
Roho is a traditional Comorian sweet treat, often prepared for weddings and special celebrations. It's a dense, sweet confection made from ground rice, sugar, and aromatic spices, typically formed into small balls or shapes.
Balah el Sham are delightful Egyptian fried dough pastries, similar to churros, that are soaked in a sweet syrup. They are a popular street food and a beloved treat, especially during Ramadan.
A classic Egyptian dessert, Basbousa is a sweet, syrup-soaked semolina cake studded with shredded coconut and topped with a whole almond. It has a wonderfully tender crumb and a rich, sweet flavor, perfect for any occasion.
A rich and celebratory Egyptian nut pastry featuring delicate layers of phyllo dough, a fragrant nut filling, and a sweet, floral syrup. Perfect for special occasions.
A classic Egyptian dessert featuring layers of crispy, shredded kunafa pastry filled with rich, creamy ashta (clotted cream) and drizzled with sweet syrup. A beloved treat, especially during Ramadan.
A classic Egyptian sweet treat made from tahini and sugar, often studded with pistachios. This dense, chewy confection is a popular snack or breakfast item.
A dense, rich, and traditional Egyptian sweet made from tahini (sesame paste). This halva is a delightful candy with a unique texture and nutty flavor, often enjoyed for breakfast or as a sweet treat.
A beloved Egyptian dessert made from shredded phyllo dough (kadaif) layered with a rich cream or cheese filling, baked until golden and crispy, then drenched in a sweet sugar syrup and garnished with pistachios.
Luqmat al-Qadi, meaning 'Bites of the Judge,' are delightful, crispy, golden-fried sweet dough balls, a popular treat, especially during Ramadan. They are light, airy on the inside, and coated in a sweet syrup.
A classic Egyptian milk pudding, Mehallabia is a delicately creamy and light dessert made with rice flour, milk, and sweetened to perfection. Often flavored with rose water, it's a refreshing end to any meal, especially popular during Ramadan.
Om Ali is a rich and decadent Egyptian bread pudding, often considered the national dessert. It features layers of flaky pastry, dried fruits, nuts, and shredded coconut, all baked in a creamy, sweet milk mixture until golden and bubbling.
Om Ali is Egypt's beloved national dessert, a rich and creamy bread pudding made with flaky puff pastry, infused with fragrant milk and cream, and studded with crunchy nuts. It's a comforting and decadent treat perfect for any occasion.
Qatayef are small, folded pancakes traditionally enjoyed during Ramadan in Egypt. The batter is cooked on one side only, then filled with a sweet cream (ashta) or chopped nuts, folded in half, and typically deep-fried until golden and crispy, then soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup. They are a beloved sweet treat and a staple of the iftar (breaking the fast) meal.
