Top 7 Desserts Around the World

  'Dessert…Too much of a good thing is wonderful.’

All food lovers, especially the ones with a sweet tooth, would agree with this Mae West quote. In my quest to bring you quintessential desserts from around the world, I’ve come across all sorts of food. Sweet and savory. Cakes and cookies. Sinful and simply bizarre. So without further ado, let’s begin our journey with these seven heavenly desserts from across the globe.

Cheesecake (US)

An American classic, the New York or Philadelphia style cheesecake is on the bucket list of many. It’s soft, flavourful and well, just something you can’t miss out on while vacationing in US. For sheer indulgence, head to the specialty restaurant The Cheesecake Factory and try The Original, Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake, Hershey’s Chocolate Bar Cheesecake or whatever flavour you love. Just don’t count the calories.

Other desserts: Key Lime Pie, Banana Foster (with bacon for a savory treat), Spicy Peanut Caramel Corn

Sticky Toffee Pudding (Britain)

The winning ice cream flavour in 2006 Haagen-Dazs contest, Sticky Toffee Pudding is very British. Although Apple Crumble and Trifle are also high up on the list of great British desserts, the pudding is an all-time favourite of locals. Especially in winters, when a small bowl of Sticky Toffee Pudding is like a ray of sunshine on a cold snowy day.

Other desserts: Yorkshire Pudding, Steak and Kidney Pudding, Cornish Pasty, Shepherd’s Pie

Tiramisu (Italy)

Italians have an unrivalled passion for food and each region in Italy has specialties even for desserts. The most popular one is Tiramisu. This coffee flavored dessert, which means ‘pick me up’, has been tried and tested by many chefs. However, there’s no place in Italy which is known for serving the ‘perfect’ Tiramisu. I’m guessing there’s a secret ingredient involved - love!

Other desserts: Gelato, Tartuffo di Pizzo, Panna Cotta, Cassata Siciliana

Crème Brûlée (France)

A classic French dessert, Crème Brûlée is baked custard with a thin toffee-like crust, done using a blow torch. The original version is made of vanilla and uses only five ingredients. In other words, it’s a great food made simple. With plenty of recipes online, you can try your hands at making this at home. Otherwise, the restaurants in the French capital are always there to satiate your appetite. Vous voir à Paris!

Other desserts: Macaron, Tarte Tatin, Crepes (savoury fillings include ratatouille, ham and eggs, mushroom, salmon)

Koeksisters (South Africa)

A dessert that can be both savoury (Cape Malay) and sweet (Afrikaner), these plaited dough rolls are a staple in most South African households. Eaten for breakfast and tea time with a cup of Rooibos tea, Koeksisters or ‘cake sisters’ is a treat you simply cannot miss out on.

Other desserts: Malva Pudding, Milk Tart, Guava Ice Cream (for those who like desserts, spiced)

Sticky Rice with Mango (Thailand)

Mango is one of the biggest summer treats and when paired with slowly cooked sticky rice, it becomes one of the most flavourful desserts of Thailand. Known as Khao Niew Mamuang (‘khao niew’ is sticky rice and ‘mamuang’ is mango), this Thai dessert can also be eaten with the very pungent smelling king of fruits, Durian.

Other desserts: Pakim Kai Tow (sweet and salty soup), Pang Gi, Khanom Moa Gang

 Lamington (Australia)

In Australia, Lamington and Pavlova are right up at the top of the ‘best desserts list’. Why Lamington made the cut was that it is as Australian as meat pie, kangaroo or macadamia nuts. Originated in Brisbane, this dessert is a square chocolate sponge cake with cream filling. For those who like fruity flavours, raspberry and lemon Lamingtons are great options to try.

Other desserts: Pavlova, Vegemite, Damper (bread that can be spiced with apple and cinnamon)

Food lovers, here are few more desserts around the world:

Chocolate Chilli Cookies (Mexico) Lebkuchen (Germany) Maple Taffy (Canada) Apfelstrudel (Vienna) Sacher Torte (Austria) Belgian Waffles (Belgium) Guinness Cake (Ireland) Baklava (Turkey) Gulab Jamun (India) Tangyuan (China)