Traditional Turkish Desserts That Never Go Out of Style

Turkish desserts have always been part of my daily life, so they hold a special place in my heart, and I make them often. They tend to be simple, not overly sweet, and use simple everyday ingredients. Nuts, syrup, milk, semolina, and phyllo pastry are the most common ingredients for Turkish desserts. If you’ve ever tried baklava, sütlaç, or şekerpare, you'll already have a good idea of what Turkish sweets are like.

I put together a collection of Traditional Turkish Desserts That Never Go Out of Style. Some are popular and easy to find, others are more home-style and made for sharing with guests.

Kabak Tatlisi - Pumpkin Dessert

kabak tatlisi served in a bowl with walnuts — Ayla Clulee

Easy Turkish Kabak Tatlısı, known as the candied pumpkin dessert, is a traditional sweet that has been made for generations. It is prepared with just two main ingredients, pumpkin and sugar, and usually topped with crushed walnuts and a drizzle of tahini before serving. The name literally means “pumpkin dessert,” and it’s something many Turkish families make in autumn when pumpkins are in season.

To learn more: Easy Turkish Kabak Tatlısı

Pistachio Baklava

few pieces of authentic Middle Eastern walnut baklawa are removed from tray — Ayla Clulee

Baklava is a very popular Turkish sweet dating back to the Ottoman Empire, featuring flaky filo pastry layers, nuts, and syrup. This version is made with ready-made filo pastries and is perfect for you if you don't have time to make your own filo pastry sheets. However, if you want to learn how to make authentic walnut baklava from scratch using a rolling pin, check out my Homemade Turkish Baklava Recipe.

To learn more: Easy Turkish Pistachio Baklava

Turkish Delight - Lokum

Turkish delight with pistachio and pomegrenate — Ayla Clulee

Turkish Delight is a sweet, slightly chewy confection made from sugar, starch, and water. It comes in different colors, shapes, textures, and flavors, with popular ones including rosewater, nuts, and lemon. Usually, it's cut into small cubes and dusted with powdered sugar or coconut to keep them from sticking together. You can enjoy Lokum on its own or with a glass of Turkish Tea - Cay.

To learn more: Homemade Elderflower Turkish Delight (Lokum)

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.

To learn more: Kadaif Dessert - Turkish Tel Kadayif

Sekerpare

Şekerpare is a soft syrupy cookie made with butter, eggs, semolina, flour, and sugar. The dough is shaped into small pieces, baked until lightly golden, then soaked in syrup while still warm. You’ll see these cookies in bakeries and on menus all over Turkey.

You can also make Şekerpare at home with this simple recipe, using basic ingredients and very little prep.

To learn more: Sekerpare (Turkish Semolina Cookies)

Noah's Pudding - Ashure

6 portions of ashure dessert — Ayla Clulee

Ashure (Aşure), also known as Noah's Pudding, is a rich, unique, and traditional dessert that's rich in history and flavor. Made with a delightful mix of grains, legumes, nuts, and fruits, this super nutritious treat is a true gem in Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.

To learn more: Ashure Dessert - Noah's Pudding

Mahalabia

a spoonful of muhallebi dessert garnished with wild strawberry and pistachio — Ayla Clulee

Muhallebi Dessert is a light, creamy, and delicious milk pudding that's popular throughout Turkey and the Middle East. This popular milk dessert recipe only requires 5 ingredients and comes together in just 20 minutes.

To learn more: Muhallebi - Mahalabia Dessert

Baklava Rolls

Sari Burma Baklava Rolls, known as Saragli in Greek cuisine and Burma Baklava in Turkish cuisine, are a delicious twist on the classic layered baklava. They’re made with flaky phyllo dough, a filling of finely chopped nuts, and soaked in a fragrant syrup.

To learn more: Sari Burma Baklava Rolls

Tulumba Tatlısı

tulumba dessert served with extra ground pistachio on the side — Ayla Clulee

'Tulumba Tatlisi' is a traditional Turkish fried dough dessert famous for its crispy texture and syrupy sweetness. This popular street food is made from mini choux pastry dough balls, piped into cold oil, fried, and then dipped in sweet syrup.

To learn more: Tulumba Tatlisi - Turkish Fried Dough Dessert

Quince Dessert

ayva tatlisi served with clotted cream and cinnamon stick — Ayla Clulee

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 flavour that is hard to resist.

To learn more: Ayva Tatlisi - Turkish Quince Dessert

Revani Cake

Revani Cake - Turkish Semolina Cake is a popular Mediterranean dessert made with semolina flour, sugar, and eggs, soaked with orange-flavored syrup, and then cut into diamonds or squares.

To learn more: Revani - Turkish Semolina Cake

Lokma Tatlisi

lokma dessert dipped in choclate and sprinkled with nuts — Ayla Clulee

Lokma Dessert, or Fried Sweet Dough Balls, is made with a simple yeast dough that’s deep-fried until golden and crisp, then coated in syrup or honey. These little bites are light, airy, and just a little sticky-sweet in the best way. With only a handful of pantry ingredients and some resting time for the dough, you can make this classic treat at home and enjoy it warm and fresh.

To learn more: Lokma Dessert - Fried Sweet Dough Balls