Turkish Desserts are incredibly delicious, addictive, and rich as well as unique.
Most of them have a great story behind them thanks to Turkey's rich and diverse cultural heritage.
And many of them date back to the Ottoman Empire or even further back to Central Asian Turkic tribes.
Turkey has a wide selection of desserts for every occasion and a flavor to satisfy every taste.
From rich and creamy puddings to flaky and sweet pastries, Turkish desserts offer a range of flavors and textures that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
There are 3 types of Turkish Desserts and they all are worth trying at home: milk-based, pastry-based, and fruit-based.
Here is the list of my 15 favorite dessert recipes that you can easily make at home:
Milk-Based Puddings
Sutlac (Turkish Rice Pudding)
Sutlac (Turkish version of classic Rice Pudding) is a thick and creamy milk-based dessert that has a very special place in Turkish cuisine. This traditional rice dessert is delicious yet extremely easy to make with a few ingredients. The great news is that you can easily make this delicious pudding at home and have it exactly how you like it to be.
Check out this recipe
Muhallebi - Mahalabia Dessert
Muhallebi (or Mahalabia / Muhallabieh) Dessert is a light, creamy, and delicious milk pudding that's popular throughout Turkey and the Middle East. This popular Muhallebi dessert recipe only requires 5 ingredients and comes together in just 20 minutes.This easy yet delicious milk-based pudding is perfect for making ahead and looks impressive enough to serve to your dinner guest.
Check out this recipe
Keskul - Turkish Almond Pudding
Keskul is a light and creamy Turkish Almond Pudding made with milk, rice flour, cornstarch, sugar, and ground almonds. This delicious Turkish dessert is similar to Muhallebi - Mahalabia Dessert and is traditionally served in small bowls, garnished with ground pistachios, red fruits, or coconut shavings.Keşkül is definitely one of the tastiest milk-based puddings in Turkish cuisine.
Check out this recipe
Kazandibi
Kazandibi is a traditional milk pudding made with butter, milk, cream, sugar, starch, and flavorings such as vanilla or ground mastic gum. The name "Kazandibi" refers to the "burnt bottom of the cauldron" that it is cooked in.Same as Sutlac - Turkish Rice Pudding, Ayva Tatlisi - Turkish Quince Dessert, and Keskul - Turkish Almond Pudding, this delicious Turkish dessert is developed in the kitchens of the Ottoman Palace and is one of the most popular Turkish desserts today.
Check out this recipe
Güllaç
Güllaç is a light, milky, and fluffy Turkish dessert made with layers of starch wafers soaked in sweetened warm milk. This delicious dessert is traditionally served during Ramadan and is usually garnished with ground nuts and pomegranate seeds. This light dessert does not disturb the stomach after a long day of fasting and is easily digested.
Check out this recipe
Pastry-Based Desserts
Irmik Helvasi (Turkish Semolina Halva)
Irmik Helvasi (Turkish Semolina Halva) is a traditional dessert widely popular in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. This delicious pudding is enriched with butter & pine nuts and then soaked in hot syrup. Helva (or Halva) has an important place in Turkish culture. It symbolizes good fortune and is made not only during religious holidays like Ramadan, but also important life events like moving houses, births, deaths, or marriages. It is still a tradition to make helva and share it with family and friends on such occasions.
Check out this recipe
Kunefe (Kunafa) - Turkish Cheese Dessert
Kunefe (or Kunafa/Knafeh) is a heavenly Turkish Cheese Dessert made with kadaif pastry filled with cheese and soaked in syrup. It is usually served hot while the cheese is still soft and stringy. Kunefe is originated from Hatay (Antioch), Turkey’s south-eastern part, but also popular in Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. They all have their own variations of this delicious dessert with different names and recipes. It was traditionally served during the fasting period called "Ramadan". However, it is a heavenly dessert one can consume at any time of the year.
Check out this recipe
Authentic Middle Eastern Walnut Baklawa
Baklava is a traditional Turkish treat made of layers of filo pastry filled with chopped walnuts or pistachios and then soaked with simple syrup. My Homemade Turkish Baklava Recipe is perfect for you if you want to know how to make this authentic and delicious dessert from scratch. It is still traditional in Turkish culture today to make Baklava from scratch, especially during festive celebrations like weddings or religious events like Eid. Other than special occasions, people usually buy baklava from shops instead of making them at home.
Check out this recipe
Sekerpare (Turkish Semolina Cookies)
Sekerpare (Turkish Semolina Cookies) is a sweet, moist, and tender dessert that's traditionally served for religious celebrations, such as Seker Bayrami which marks the end of Ramadan. It is a great alternative to Turkish Baklava for your sweet cravings when you want something much simpler & quicker. You can find them in Turkish bakeries or on the restaurant's menus everywhere in Turkey. Alternatively, you can make your homemade version with my simple recipe.
Check out this recipe
Easy Turkish Pistachio Baklava Recipe
Baklava is a very popular Turkish sweet dating back to Ottoman Empire, made with flaky & thin filo pastries, nuts, and syrup. My super easy Turkish Pistachio Baklava recipe is perfect for you if you want to learn how to make your homemade version. This classic Turkish sweet "baklava" made with ready-made filo pastries is perfect for you if you don't have time to make your filo pastry sheets. Baklava is the perfect dessert for holidays or special occasions and you can make it ahead. Although layering all these filo pastries might look intimidating, this is possibly one of the easiest & quickest desserts to make for a celebration.
Check out this recipe
Revani - Turkish Semolina Cake
Revani (or Ravani) dessert is a syrup-soaked Turkish Cake made with Semolina and flavored with orange and coconut. This airy and light sponge cake is typically baked in a sheet pan, sweetened with orange-flavored syrup, and then cut into diamonds or squares. This delicious classic Revani dessert is dating back to the Ottomans and has been adopted by many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries.
Check out this recipe
Kadaif Dessert - Turkish Tel Kadayif
Kadaif Dessert, (or Turkish Tel Kadayif), is a popular and unique Turkish dessert typically served during the holy month of Ramadan. It is made with layers of crispy, shredded filo pastry base filled with a rich and nutty walnut mixture, and then baked until crispy. The dessert is then soaked in a sweet syrup, adding an extra layer of flavor and moisture.
Check out this recipe
Baklava Cheesecake
This impressive Middle Eastern-inspired dessert is made with indulgently sweet and nutty Turkish Baklava layers topped with creamy and rich cheesecake. Same as the Classic Italian Tiramisu recipe, making Baklava Cheesecake requires a bit of time and patience. However, it is very easy to make and is perfect for any special occasion and upcoming festive season.
Check out this recipe
Fruit-Based Desserts
Turkish Fig Pudding (Incir Uyutmasi)
This rich and creamy Turkish Fig Pudding recipe infused with butterscotchy dried figs is one of my favorite guilt-free desserts. And surprisingly it is only made with two main ingredients: dried figs and milk (yes, you heard it right, you only need two ingredients!). A version of this dessert, teleme, has been a popular goat herder’s snack for centuries in northeast Anatolia, Turkey.
Check out this recipe
Ayva Tatlısı - Turkish Quince Dessert
Ayva Tatlisi, also known as Turkish Quince Dessert, is a delicious sweet treat that has been enjoyed in Turkey for centuries. This dessert consists of quince fruit, which is native to the Caucasus and Western Asia, and has a unique and sweet flavor that is hard to resist.
Check out this recipe
In conclusion, Turkish desserts are a true culinary treasure, offering a range of flavors and textures that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
So if you're looking to indulge in something sweet and delicious, give Turkish desserts a try – you won't be disappointed!
How to Enjoy Turkish Desserts?
There are many ways to enjoy Turkish desserts, whether you're dining out at a Turkish restaurant or making them at home.
Here are a few tips to help you savor the flavors and textures of these delicious treats:
- Turkish desserts are often enjoyed with a cup of tea or Turkish coffee. The strong, aromatic flavors of the beverages complement the sweetness of the desserts, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
- Fresh fruit like figs, pomegranates, and cherries can be a great complement to Turkish treats. They provide a refreshing contrast to the rich and sweet desserts while adding a touch of natural sweetness.
- Whipped cream or clotted cream "Kaymak" can be a great addition to Turkish desserts, especially those that are creamy or custardy. The creaminess helps balance the sweetness of the dessert and adds a luxurious touch.
- Many Turkish puddings are garnished with nuts or spices like pistachios, almonds, and cinnamon. These ingredients not only add flavor and texture but also provide visual appeal to the dessert.
For more delicious and indulgent recipes from around the world why not try:
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.
I hope you enjoy checking out these 15 delicious Turkish Dessert Recipes as much as you enjoy eating them! 🙂
Bon appétit! / Afiyet Olsun!
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