45 Desserts from Around the World
45 Desserts from Around the World
Read Time: 14 mins
45 Desserts from Around the World
From the Recipe Creator: Tres leches means “three milks.”
From the Recipe Creator: Tres leches means “three milks.” This cake gets its name because it uses three kinds of milk—evaporated, condensed and cream. This tres leches cake’s light and airy texture has made it a classic in Mexican kitchens for generations. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 4/44 Cyprus: Melomakarona 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Growing up in Cyprus, we would see this melomakarona cookie everywhere during the holidays. Every year my mother, Thelma, would make plate after plate of these all Christmas
It’s just not the holidays without them
long. It’s just not the holidays without them. —Paris Paraskeva, San Francisco, California 5/44 India: Kulfi 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I grew up near Little India in California, and I loved the desserts from Indian sweets shops. One of them sold kulfi, a spiced and nutty frozen custard in cone molds. Here I use a shortcut method to make kulfi quickly and without any special equipment. The whole milk can be replaced with mango pulp for mango kulfi. —Justine Kmiecik,
It’s popular in Australia, too, where it’s known as “vanilla slice.”
Crestview, Florida LAUREN HABERMEHL FOR TASTE OF HOME New Zealand: Custard SquareWith layers of luscious vanilla custard and flaky puff pastry, custard square is a bakery classic in New Zealand. It’s popular in Australia, too, where it’s known as “vanilla slice.” —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin Go to Recipe 6/44 7/44 United Kingdom: Bread Pudding with Nutmeg 41 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I always make this bread pudding recipe for my dad on his birthday and on holidays. He says it tastes exactly like the bread pudding
with nutmeg he enjoyed as a child
with nutmeg he enjoyed as a child. —Donna Powell, Montgomery City, Missouri 8/44 Spain: Creamy Caramel Flan 64 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A small slice of this impressively rich, creamy, caramel flan dessert goes a long way. What a delightful finish for a special meal or holiday celebration. —Pat Forete, Miami, Florida 9/44 France: Beignets 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 50 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve always loved beignets, but never
thought I could make them myself
thought I could make them myself. Turns out they’re easy! Sometimes I’ll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise. —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado 10/44 Poland: Khrustyky 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 1-1/2 dozen pastries Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This crispy, dainty pastry dusted with confectioners’ sugar has an eggy flavor similar to cream puffs. I honor my Ukrainian heritage by serving khrustyky on Christmas Eve as part of the traditional feast of 12 dishes. Each dish symbolizes one of the
It’s best to chill the dough at least 2 hours so the cookies hold when baking
apostles. —Carol Funk, Richard, Saskatchewan 11/44 Argentina: Chocolate Alfajores Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate Alfajores Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings about 1-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Chocolate alfajores, also known as alfajores de chocolate, are a popular South American dessert made of slightly sweetened shortbread cookies filled with a rich and creamy milk caramel called dulce de leche. It’s best to chill the dough at least 2 hours so the cookies hold when baking. —Kimberly Scott, Kosciusko, Mississippi Learn how to make this traditional alfajores recipe! 12/44 Brazil: Pacoca 4 Reviews
Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 81 pieces (about 2 pounds) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Pacoca (Brazilian peanut candy) is an easy treat that has only five ingredients! It’s a popular sweet in Brazil, and after you try it, I’m sure you’ll love it, too. —Francine Lizotte, Surrey, British Columbia 13/44 Italy: Tangerine Chocolate Semifreddo Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I wanted a new frozen treat for my family, I
came up with this citrusy, chocolaty version of classic Italian semifreddo
came up with this citrusy, chocolaty version of classic Italian semifreddo. For an elegant presentation on special occasions, top each serving with whipped cream, a tangerine section and baking cocoa. —Claire Cruce, Atlanta, Georgia 14/44 United Kingdom: Old English Trifle 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 12 servings (1 cup each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Loaded with cake cubes and fruit, an old English trifle is always welcome at a holiday dinner. The creamy, homemade custard is well worth the effort. —Nancy O’Connor, Glen Ridge, New Jersey 15/44 China: Almond
—Jane Garing, Talladega, Alabama Try this tanghulu recipe next!
Cookies 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 5 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Each Christmas, my mother baked these Chinese almond cookies and stored them in clean coffee cans. When she passed away, I started giving our kids a can of these sentimental sweets. (Traditional Chinese almond cookies typically use lard, but butter is a great substitute if you don’t have lard on hand.) —Jane Garing, Talladega, Alabama Try this tanghulu recipe next! 16/44 Sweden: Budapest Roll 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings
People are in awe every time I bring it somewhere
12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you’re a fan of Yule logs and pumpkin rolls, taste my Swedish specialty made from hazelnut meringue. People are in awe every time I bring it somewhere. —Catherine Walbridge, Boise, Idaho 17/44 Germany: Bienenstich 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This bee sting cake (aka bienenstich) may look daunting, but it’s well worth the effort. Take each step at a time, and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to make. —Taste of Home Test
When I entered this treat at our local fair, it won a red ribbon
Kitchen 18/44 Scottish Shortbread 81 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Scottish Shortbread Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mother, who is of Scottish heritage, passed this shortbread recipe, along with other favorite recipes, on to me. When I entered this treat at our local fair, it won a red ribbon. —Rose Mabee, Selkirk, Manitoba 19/44 Israel: Malabi with Pomegranate Syrup 5 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:
Malabi is a very famous, easy sweet milk pudding from Israel
Malabi is a very famous, easy sweet milk pudding from Israel. For this recipe I learned from a friend, you can use rose syrup instead of pomegranate syrup. —Kanwaljeet Chhabra, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 20/44 Turkey: Baklava 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Many ethnic festivals are held in my city throughout the year. One in May is the Greek Hellenic Festival. My family enjoys baklava—a traditional walnut strudel. The recipe uses phyllo dough, which is not difficult to work with. Just have your ingredients ready
to go and follow the directions on the package
to go and follow the directions on the package. The results are scrumptious and well worth the effort. —Judy Losecco, Buffalo, New York We also have one more recommendation for you. Try these Greek doughnuts which are fluffy, bite-sized, and fried to perfection! 21/44 Mexico: Arroz Con Leche 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sweet and simple, this creamy arroz con leche recipe is real comfort food in any language. You’ll love the warm raisin and cinnamon flavors. It’s great served cold, too. —Marina
They really help to make the holidays feel special
Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California 22/44 Linzer Cookies 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Linzer Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This specialty cookie takes a little extra effort, but the results are sweet! They really help to make the holidays feel special. —Jane Pearcy, Verona, Wisconsin 23/44 Indonesia: Kolak Pisang Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I ate bananas Foster the first time, it reminded me of this dish. The concept
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
⭐ Expert Tips
-
Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
-
Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
-
Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
-
These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
-
Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
-
Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
📣 Join Our Community
Want more inspiration like this? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly dinner ideas and cooking tips!
