pastry Recipes
104 delicious pastry recipes from around the world
Loukoumades (Greek Honey Puffs)
Loukoumades are delightful, bite-sized fried dough balls, a traditional Greek sweet, often referred to as 'honey tokens' or 'honey puffs'. They are known for their crispy exterior, fluffy interior, and are generously drenched in a warm honey syrup infused with cinnamon, then sprinkled with crushed walnuts. This ancient treat was even enjoyed by athletes in the original Olympic Games.
Madeleines
Delicate French shell cakes, known for their distinctive hump and tender, buttery crumb. A classic treat, famously associated with Proust's literary recollections.
Mille-Feuille
A classic French dessert, also known as a Napoleon, featuring delicate layers of crisp puff pastry, rich pastry cream, and a smooth fondant topping. The name 'Mille-Feuille' translates to 'thousand leaves,' alluding to the many flaky layers.
Napoleon Cake
A classic Russian celebration cake featuring numerous delicate layers of crisp puff pastry generously filled with a rich, creamy custard. This impressive dessert requires patience but rewards with a delightful contrast of textures and a comforting, sweet flavor.
Paris-Brest
A classic French wheel-shaped pastry, this Paris-Brest features a ring of crisp choux pastry filled with a rich and airy praline-flavored mousseline cream. It was famously created to commemorate the Paris-Brest bicycle race.
Pastéis de Nata (Portuguese Custard Tarts)
Authentic Portuguese custard tarts, featuring a crisp, flaky puff pastry shell filled with a rich, creamy egg custard that's caramelized and blistered on top. A beloved treat originating from Lisbon.
Pastel de Belém (Portuguese Custard Tart)
The iconic Pastel de Belém, originating from the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon. These tarts feature a blistered, caramelized custard filling encased in a shatteringly crisp, flaky puff pastry shell. Best enjoyed warm, dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
Pastel de Nata
Portugal's legendary custard tarts - flaky puff pastry shells with rich vanilla custard, baked until blistered and caramelized.
Pastiera Napoletana
A traditional Neapolitan Easter cake, this rich and fragrant tart features a sweet shortcrust pastry filled with a creamy mixture of cooked wheat berries, ricotta cheese, candied citrus peel, and the distinctive aroma of orange blossom water.
Pâté Chaud (Vietnamese-French Pork and Liver Pastry)
Individual savory pâtés filled with a flavorful mixture of ground pork, chicken liver, and aromatic spices, all encased in flaky puff pastry. Traditionally served warm, this dish is a beloved fusion found in French-Vietnamese bakeries.
Pâté en Croûte
A quintessential French charcuterie masterpiece, Pâté en Croûte features a rich, savory forcemeat encased in a decorative, golden pastry crust, finished with a clear, flavorful aspic gelée. This dish is a true showstopper, requiring precision and patience.
Ponchiki (Russian Ring Donuts)
Ponchiki are a beloved Russian street food, essentially ring-shaped donuts, often enjoyed with tea or coffee. This recipe yields light, airy, and slightly sweet fried dough, perfect for a delightful treat.
Quarkbällchen (German Quark Doughnuts)
Light and airy German quark balls, a popular bakery snack made from a simple dough, fried to a golden perfection, and dusted with powdered sugar. They are surprisingly quick to prepare and require no yeast.
Queijadas de Sintra
Queijadas de Sintra are traditional sweet cheese pastries originating from the town of Sintra, Portugal. These delicate tarts feature a creamy, sweet cheese filling encased in a light, flaky pastry.
Semla (Swedish Cream Buns)
A traditional Swedish Lent treat, the Semla is a sweet cardamom-spiced bun, sliced open, filled with a rich almond paste mixture, and topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream. Often enjoyed in a bowl of warm milk (hetvägg).
Sfogliatella Riccia
Authentic Neapolitan 'lobster tail' pastry, featuring incredibly thin, crispy, shell-like layers encasing a sweet and creamy semolina-ricotta filling. This is a challenging but rewarding bake.
Sochnik (Russian Quark Pastry)
Delicate, half-moon shaped pastries filled with a sweet, creamy quark (tvorog) mixture. Perfect for afternoon tea or a light dessert.
Tarte au Citron
A classic French lemon tart featuring a crisp, sweet pastry shell filled with a vibrant, tangy lemon curd. Often finished with a torched meringue for a delightful contrast in texture and flavor. A true patisserie staple.
Tarte aux Pommes
A classic French apple tart, featuring thinly sliced apples arranged in a beautiful spiral over a sweet pastry crust, finished with a glistening glaze. A staple in French patisseries.
Tarte Tatin
The iconic French upside-down apple tart, featuring tender, caramelized apples nestled under a crisp, buttery puff pastry. A delightful dessert born from a happy accident.
Tiropita (Greek Cheese Pie)
A classic Greek savory pie featuring layers of flaky phyllo dough filled with a creamy mixture of feta cheese, eggs, and fresh dill. Perfect for breakfast, a light lunch, or a satisfying snack.
Travesseiro
Travesseiro, meaning 'pillow' in Portuguese, is a traditional pastry from Sintra, Portugal. It features a delicate, flaky puff pastry encasing a rich and creamy almond filling. These pastries are a beloved specialty, often enjoyed with coffee or as a sweet treat.
Travesseiro de Sintra
Travesseiro de Sintra, meaning 'Sintra pillow', is a famous Portuguese pastry consisting of flaky puff pastry filled with a rich, sweet almond cream. These delicate pastries are a beloved specialty from the town of Sintra.
Vatrushka
Vatrushka is a traditional Russian sweet cheese pastry, often found in bakeries. These open-faced buns feature a delightful tvorog (quark) filling nestled in a soft, yeasted dough.