Croissants get all the glory, but there are other equally irresistible European desserts if you dare to explore. Creamy layers, nutty pastries, and delicate confections come together in these treats that deliver bold flavor and old-world charm. If you’re ready to branch out and try something new, these European desserts are worth the trip, even if it’s just from your kitchen.
Paris-Brest
Paris-Brest, a delicate ring-shaped choux pastry with hazelnut praline crème mousseline filling, is definitely the Queen of French pastries! Crispy pâte à choux bonds together with silky, nutty creme mousseline filling in my classic French recipe! Extra praline paste and roasted hazelnuts in the filling bring additional crunchiness, making this Paris-Brest one of the most impressive desserts of all!
Go to the recipe: Paris-Brest
Chocolate Tiramisu
This easy chocolate tiramisu is pure bliss for chocolate lovers! It's made with coffee-soaked ladyfingers layered with a luscious chocolate mascarpone cream that blends rich cocoa powder and smooth melted chocolate. The flavor and texture are incredible! After one bite, you may not want to go back to classic tiramisu!
Go to the recipe: Chocolate Tiramisu
Baklava
Baklava is originally from Turkey, Greece, and the Middle East, and it's certainly easy to see why its invention is hotly contested between countries. It is a layered dessert made of filo pastry (phyllo), filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey. Enjoy baklava with hot, strong coffee to bring out its delicate sweetness and nutty flavor.
Go to the recipe: Baklava
Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake
This delicious, easy Italian lemon ricotta cake is by far one of the best lemon desserts you will ever try. Made with fresh lemons, creamy ricotta cheese, and a hint of vanilla extract. It has a gently sweet, citrusy flavor and an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture that resembles a moist sponge cake. Whether you enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, or as a dessert with a side of ice cream, it will be hard not to run back for seconds!
Go to the recipe: Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake
French Financiers
French financiers are the best teacakes, and in this recipe, you will learn how to make them in 3 different flavors: almond, hazelnut, and pistachio! They are delicate, super moist, and full of natural nutty flavors due to the nut flour and browned butter used in the cake batter. Financiers are bite-sized treats like cookies. However, they belong to sponge cakes both in terms of texture and in terms of the technique and process of making them.
Go to the recipe: French Financiers
Ricotta Pie
This easy Sicilian Ricotta pie with a hint of lemon is one of the creamiest, most delicious European desserts you will ever make! Classic ricotta pie is traditionally a Spring dessert associated with Easter, but I think you can enjoy it at any time of year. The fresh lemon flavor, creamy filling, and crispy pie crust are the most amazing flavor and texture combinations.
Go to the recipe: Ricotta Pie
Chocolate Hazelnut Macarons
Chocolate hazelnut macarons are a dream for chocolate and hazelnut lovers in a lovely, bite-sized French macaron format. The macarons are filled with silky chocolate ganache and hazelnut paste with the most delicious natural nutty flavor. These creamy, crunchy, chewy macarons are the ultimate afternoon tea snack that will impress everyone!
Go to the recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Macarons
Sacher Torte Cake
Austrian Sacher Torte Cake is a Viennese specialty, and it's a European cake recipe that defines elegance. Two layers of chocolate sponge cakes, a fine layer of apricot jam, and a smooth chocolate glaze make this dessert a must-try European cake, one of the best European chocolate desserts for sure.
Go to the recipe: Sacher Torte Cake
Profiteroles
Featuring a crisp choux pastry shell, luscious pastry cream filling, and a decadent, glossy chocolate glaze, every bite of these easy profiteroles is like a taste of heaven! Whether making them for a special occasion or just because, these fun, bite-sized treats are guaranteed to impress!
Go to the recipe: Profiteroles
German Bee Sting Cake
This delicious two-layer traditional German bee sting cake is sure to be the talk of your guests at your next gathering! It is a traditional dessert made with soft, airy, French brioche bread filled with creamy vanilla pastry cream and a honey-glazed, crunchy almond topping. It is more than tasty but also eye-catching!
Go to the recipe: German Bee Sting Cake
Mille Feuille
Mille Feuille is a classic French pastry defined by its alternating flaky pastry layers and smooth cream filling. This recipe makes the French treat easy to follow, breaking it down step by step so that you can recreate the beautiful bakery treat right in your own kitchen.
Go to the recipe: Mille Feuille
Beignets
Popular in French cuisine and a staple in the Louisiana city of New Orleans, these New Orleans-style homemade beignets are fun to make and hard to resist! Their light, sweet, and pillowy texture make them the perfect treat to enjoy any time of day: For breakfast, an afternoon snack, or dessert. Top them with sugar, fill them with cream, or dip them in your morning coffee.
Go to the recipe: Beignets
Cream Puff
This easy cream puffs recipe is the perfect combination of fancy and simple! With a crisp choux pastry shell, a silky chantilly cream filling, and a dusting of sweet powdered sugar, this French-style favorite is just as perfect for a cozy night at home with friends and family as it is for an elegant dinner party or special event. The best part? Even novice bakers can make them with the help of my step-by-step recipe!
Go to the recipe: Cream Puff
Italian Tiramisu
This classic Italian Tiramisu features airy ladyfingers soaked in coffee, layered between a silky, enriched mascarpone cream filling and a touch of cocoa on top. Buon Appetito!
Go to the recipe: Italian Tiramisu
Classic Chocolate Eclair
This is seriously the BEST classic chocolate eclair recipe that will take you through how to make eclairs at home step by step. It's a foolproof recipe designed for home bakers in their kitchen environment but delivers professional results. Mastering homemade eclairs is one of the most rewarding skills to learn!
Go to the recipe: Classic Chocolate Eclair
Madeleines
Classic French Madeleines are one of the easiest, most delicious little tea cakes you can make. I flavor them with vanilla and lemon for a classic taste, and the iconic shell shape makes them look so elegant. It's clear why this traditional French snack is so popular!
Go to the recipe: Madeleines
Tiramisu Cupcakes
These tiramisu cupcakes are a wonderful treat for coffee and dessert enthusiasts. They offer a perfectly balanced flavor in every bite with a moist coffee cupcake base instead of ladyfingers. The cupcakes are soaked with coffee to enhance the flavor and then topped with a beautiful mascarpone frosting swirl. As a finishing touch, cocoa powder is sprinkled over the cupcakes to make for a lovely presentation.
Go to the recipe: Tiramisu Cupcakes
Sablé Breton Tart
Sablé Breton is a delicious French pâtissérie-style buttery pastry often used as a base of a cake or tart or simply enjoyed as sable cookies. This Sablé Breton tart filled with raspberry confit, custard - creme mousseline, to be exact - and raspberries is a delicious and super decorative dessert that you will be able to make easily following my step-by-step baking guide.
Go to the recipe: Sablé Breton Tart
Ravani Greek Semolina Cake
Greek semolina cake, or Ravani, is a delicious sponge cake that is popular throughout Greece. This light, airy cake has hints of citrus flavor and is sweetened with simple syrup.
Go to the recipe: Ravani Greek Semolina Cake
Parisian Flan
This Parisian flan, aka "Flan Pâtissier" in French, is a classic French dessert that is deliciously creamy. This baked custard tart is perfect for a dinner party, dessert, or afternoon tea.
Go to the recipe: Parisian Flan
Pączki Polish Donuts
These deep-fried fluffy yeast doughnuts are filled with jam (or other delicious fillings) and glazed with icing or dusted with powdered sugar. Pączki Polish donuts are a must-try.
Go to the recipe: Pączki Polish Donuts
Sand Cake
Ready for a brand new dessert recipe that whips up fast? This Serbian no-bake sand cake, AKA pesak torta, is the perfect solution for busy days when you need a show-stopping dessert in a hurry.
Go to the recipe: Sand Cake
Italian Pizzelle Cookies
Learn to make the best Italian pizzelle cookies! These thin waffle cookies are light, buttery, and crispy. Flavor them with almond, anise, or vanilla!
Go to the recipe: Italian Pizzelle Cookies
Lemon Ricotta Amaretti Budino Cake
This Italian ricotta Amaretti Budino cake falls somewhere between a cake and a pudding. You will need a Bundt pan to make this tasty lemon ricotta amaretti cake, which is often served at Christmas or other holidays.
Go to the recipe: Lemon Ricotta Amaretti Budino Cake
Double Chocolate Chip and Coffee Biscotti
Double chocolate chip and coffee biscotti are rich, decadent chocolatey cookies. These double-chocolate Italian cookies are perfect for dipping in a cup of coffee.
Go to the recipe: Double Chocolate Chip and Coffee Biscotti
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