There are plenty of very good American desserts out there, but nothing can compare to these European classics. Europeans have been perfecting desserts for centuries, and, honestly, it shows. From perfectly flaky puff pastry sweets to creamy, rich cheesecakes, these desserts are unparalleled. Try a few of these easy recipes and you, too, will ditch the basic American desserts and turn to Europe for inspiration!
Mille Feuille
Mille Feuille means "a thousand leaves" in French, and it gets its name from the compacted layers of puff pastry that form this incredibly French dessert. Puff pastry normally rises as it bakes, but here, we weigh it down so that it forms crisp, thin pieces of delicious buttery pastry instead.
Go to the recipe: Mille Feuille
Basque Burnt Cheesecake
I love Spanish food. This Basque burnt cheesecake recipe comes together in just five minutes and only uses five simple ingredients, yet it has an unbelievable texture and taste. Basque Burnt Cheesecake, or San Sebastian Cheesecake, is the easiest cheesecake of all; honestly, it's a must-try! There is no water bath, but the result is still the creamiest, most amazing custard-like texture with a caramelized top.
Go to the recipe: Basque Burnt Cheesecake
Paris-Brest
Imagine a ring of choux pastry filled with hazelnut praline crème mousseline filling. Certainly, it sounds delicious, one of my favorite French desserts! This classic French Paris-Brest recipe has it all. Crispy pâte à choux, silky, nutty creme mousseline filling, extra praline paste, and roasted hazelnuts make Paris-Brest one of the most impressive European desserts of all! This fancy-looking dish is a great dessert for a dinner party as it feeds a crowd and looks so impressive.
Go to the recipe: Paris-Brest
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
Napoleon Cake
You might be mistaken in believing Napoleon cake is French, but it is actually Russian! Napoleon cake is a classic Russian layer cake made of crunchy puff pastry and silky pastry cream. It was first served in 1912 to honor the 100th anniversary of Russia's victory over Napoleon. It will tower above your dinner table with its many layers of buttery pastry and smooth filling; trust me, this puff pastry dessert is certainly a real showstopper.
Go to the recipe: Napoleon Cake
Crème brûlée
I bet you love ordering crème brûlée as a dessert in restaurants, however, did you know that making Crème brûlée at home is in fact shockingly easy? It is one of the most delicious French custard creams of all that comes together in literally 5 minutes using 3 simple ingredients: cream, egg yolk, and sugar. This is a no-fail, restaurant-like professional yet easy Crème brûlée recipe that will impress everyone, try it!
Go to the recipe: Crème brûlée
Danish 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
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, also in terms of the technique and process of making them.
Go to the recipe: French Financiers
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
Chocolate Mousse Cups
These no-bake, five-ingredient chocolate mousse cups are a chocolate lover's dream come true! Made with rich dark chocolate and topped with delicious airy chantilly cream and sweet chocolate shavings, they are the perfect treat to satisfy your post-dinner sweet tooth. Not only are these drool-worthy desserts easy to make, but they are also eye-catching and beautiful!
Go to the recipe: Chocolate Mousse Cups
Chouquettes
Made with fluffy choux pastry dough and sweet Swedish pearl sugar, these light and airy chouquettes may be only one or two bites, but they are absolutely irresistible! Serve these delicious French sugar puffs for breakfast with a hot cup of tea or coffee, enjoy a few as an afternoon snack, or after dinner.
Go to the recipe: Chouquettes
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
Pistachio Macarons
These are the ultimate pistachio macarons that has the perfect color and deep, natural, nutty flavor without being overly sweet. The macarons are decorated with an easy white chocolate and pistachio pattern. They can't really get any more delicious and pretty! You just can't go wrong with the pistachio flavor—it is widely popular!
Go to the recipe: Pistachio Macarons with Pistachio Ganache
French-Style Lemon Tart
This is the traditional French-style lemon tart with creamy lemon filling and a buttery crust. You will need just a small piece to fall in love with this delicate French pastry!
Go to the recipe: French-Style Lemon Tart
Torta Della Nonna
Torta della nonna is a simple, rustic Italian dessert that is loved throughout Italy! This homely tart consists of a lemony, tender shortcrust filled with luscious Italian pastry cream and is an absolutely ideal way to end any meal!!
Go to the recipe: Torta Della Nonna
Medovnik Honey Cake
Honey cake or Medovnik (in Czech) is a popular cake made on special occasions (especially during Christmastime) and served in every restaurant or coffee shop in the Czech Republic. Most of the time, it runs also under the name Marlenka cake.
Go to the recipe: Medovnik Honey Cake
Lussekatter
Traditional Swedish saffron buns called Lussekatter (named after Lucia cats) are the ultimate saffron-infused fluffy yeasted brioche to bake before the holidays! These buns are crazy moist and delicious and primarily made for St. Lucia Day (December 13th) but enjoyed throughout November and December in Sweden.
Go to the recipe: Lussekatter
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
Sicilian Cheesecake
Luxurious, light, and easy to make, my creamy Sicilian cheesecake is perfect for desserts, holidays, and every kind of celebration.
Go to the recipe: Sicilian Cheesecake
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
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
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
Cannelés de Bordeaux
Cannelés—sometimes spelled Canelés—are a classic French pastry with a deliciously crispy caramelized exterior and soft baked custard center. These little cakes are packed with fresh Vanilla flavors and a touch of Rum.
Go to the recipe: Cannelés de Bordeaux
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
Kladdkaka
Chocolate is the main ingredient, and it is really easy to bake. To enjoy the perfect chocolate dessert, serve a piece of this Swedish chocolate cake with whipped cream.
Go to the recipe: Kladdkaka
Chocolate Eclair Cake
This no-bake, easy chocolate eclair cake is an elegant dessert you can easily make from scratch using a few simple everyday ingredients! With layers of crunchy graham crackers, homemade diplomat cream, and decadent chocolate ganache to finish, it is simple enough to indulge in at home yet impressive enough to serve on special occasions.
Go to the recipe: Chocolate Eclair Cake
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
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
More Desserts
From baklava and other filo pastry-based desserts to loukoumades, here are the best Greek desserts, all in one place. Greece is known as the cradle of Western civilization for a reason, and Greek desserts arguably might be one of them. Check out these recipes for Greek desserts and find your favorite.
Go to the recipes: Best Greek Desserts
Kay Clabaugh
I love your recipes and look forward to them every day.
I don't know anything about puff pastry or how to use it. Do I separate the layers? Use the layers as one piece? Can you do a tutorial on how to use them? I would love to make some of your recipes (especially the European recipes). But I need help first. I cook a lot but not with puff pastry. I would really love to be able to use them. I'm just afraid to try.
Thank you.
Kay
Katalin Nagy
Pls just search for puff pastry on my site and you will see several recipes, how to work with puff pastry and so on:)