• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cooking Gorgeous
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact Us
    • Media Mentions
  • Recipe Index
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cozy Soups
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cozy Soups
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Cooking Gorgeous » Pastries & Sweets

    15 Homemade Turkish Desserts

    Published: Mar 23, 2022 · Modified: Nov 23, 2022 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    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.

    Turkish fig pudding recipe incir uyutmasi

    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.

    garnish the chilled keskul

    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
    muhalabiah served in a glass bowl and garnished with a wild strawberry, mint leaves and ground pistachio
    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
    keskul served in small bowls
    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
    kazandibi dessert
    Güllaç Recipe
    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
    Gullac dessert

    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
    Turkish Irmik Helva
    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
    a slice of Kunefe turkish cheese dessert
    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
    Turkish fig pudding
    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:

    • a slice of Russian honey cake
      Medovik - Russian Honey Cake
    • a slice of easy apple pie in a white plate
      Easy Puff Pastry Apple Pie
    • How to Make the Best Classic Italian Tiramisu
    • French strawberry tart
      Tart aux Fraises - French Strawberry Custard Tart

    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! 

    This post uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and then buy something, we get a small amount of commission to keep the site running, but it doesn’t cost you anything more.

    « Paçanga Böreği 
    Revani - Turkish Semolina Cake »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration await you! My name is Ayla Clulee, a passionate and professional Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and food content creator with decades of experience. I am based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here.

    The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

    More about me →

    Soup Recipes

    • Greek Chicken Lemon Soup - Avgolemono
    • Arpa Şehriye Çorbası - Turkish Orzo Soup
    • Turkish Tarhana Soup - Tarhana Çorbası
    • Homemade Turkish Tarhana Powder Recipe
    • Moroccan Harira Lamb and Chickpeas Soup
    • chicken and dumpling soup served in a bowl
      Easy Chicken and Dumpling Soup Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    • FAQs

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Cooking Gorgeous

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT