Top 41 Best Mediterranean Desserts

These are our Mediterranean Desserts to make at home to evoke the feeling of travel. Imagine sunshine and olive groves whilst perusing this list of Mediterranean dessert recipes, and then make your favorite!

Jump to:

• Best Mediterranean Desserts
• 1. Baklava
• 2. Mille Feuille
• 3. Tiramisu
• 4. Walnut Babka
• 5. Macarons
• 6. Ricotta Pie
• 7. Eclairs
• 8. Baklava Cheesecake
• 9. Choux au Craquelin
• 10. Panna Cotta
• 11. Brioche
• 12. Basque Cheesecake
• 13. Financiers
• 14. Greek Yogurt Cookies
• 15. Clafoutis
• 16. Cinnamon Apple Babka
• 17. Crème Brûlée
• 18. Lemon Ricotta Cookies
• 19. Chocolate Brioche
• 20. Ravani (Greek Semolina Cake)
• 21. Fritule - Croatian Fritters
• 22. Layali Lubnan
• 23. Greek Orange Phyllo Cake
• 24. Spanish Crema Catalana
• 25. Honey Cake
• 26. Doukissa - Cypriot Duchess Cake
• 27. Cannoli Siciliani
• 28. Moroccan Guava Almond Phyllo Cake
• 29. Spanish Leche Frita Dessert
• 30. Loukoumades: Greek and Cypriot Honey Donuts
• 31. Italian Affogato
• 32. Sfenj Moroccan Donuts
• 33. Imqaret – Maltese date filled pastry
• 34. Lebanese Mahalepi
• 35. Tunisian Debla
• 36. Syrian Rice Pudding
• 37. Moroccan Almond Cigars
• 38. Chocolate Rugelach
• 39. Pistachio Gelato
• 40. Politiko Dessert
• 41. Muhallebi Amardeen Pudding
• FAQs
• Related Recipes
• Top 41 Best Mediterranean Desserts

Get your sweet tooth ready for easy Mediterranean desserts from countries including France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Morocco.

Best Mediterranean Desserts

1. Baklava

Baklava is a well-known Mediterranean dessert enjoyed in countries including Turkey and Greece and it is certainly renowned around the world. Layers of crisp phyllo pastry, crunchy chopped nuts, and honey create a sweet, nutty, and crispy dessert. Baklavas can be made with any type of nut and tastes delicious with coffee.

2. Mille Feuille

Mille Feuille is a classic French dessert. The name means "a thousand leaves" in French, and it isn't hard to see why. Layers of flaky, buttery Puff pastry are sandwiched with vanilla pastry cream. It certainly is an irresistible blend of taste and texture.

3. Tiramisu

Traditional tiramisu is a famous Italian dessert that originated in the Veneto region in northern Italy. Layers of mascarpone cream and ladyfingers are soaked in espresso coffee and topped with a dusting of cocoa powder. You can use storebought ladyfingers or make your own homemade ladyfingers using my easy recipe.

4. Walnut Babka

This Jewish dessert is enjoyed all over the Mediterranean and is renowned for its rich taste and pillowy texture. It's made from an enriched yeasted dough, that is twisted into a braid. My walnut version has added crunchy nuts, which surely make it even more appealing.

5. Macarons

Macarons are classic French pastries. They are so pretty and surely taste even better! You can make macarons in so many flavors; as they are just so versatile. What's more, macarons make great gifts or petit fours after dinner.

Whilst macarons might seem challenging, you will love making them yourself once you learn how. Take my online macaron class and get all my top tips!

6. Ricotta Pie

Easy Sicilian ricotta pie with a hint of lemon surely has the creamiest, most delicious flavor. Although traditionally enjoyed as a Spring dessert at Easter, I think you can enjoy it at any time of year. The fresh lemon flavor and creamy filling surely taste perfect against the crispy pie crust.

7. Eclairs

Eclairs are beautiful and elegant French pastries made from choux pastry dough (which is also used to make profiteroles and cream puffs). Fill eclairs with crème diplomate and glaze in melted chocolate ganache for the most decadent dessert ever. Simply put, they are so indulgent!

8. Baklava Cheesecake

Try this elegant twist on Baklava; I guarantee you'll love it. It has all the taste and texture of baklava wrapped around a creamy and rich cheesecake! With each bite, you get the crunch of phyllo and nuts against silky cream cheese filling. In conclusion, it is certainly delicious.

9. Choux au Craquelin

Crispy French cream puffs are made from choux pastry and a disc of craquelin dough that melts and forms a crunchy crackly layer.

What's more, choux au craquelin puffs up and expands as they bake. So, you can pipe them with all sorts of fillings, including pastry cream. If it seems complicated, don't worry. I talk you through each step of the recipe and give you all my pro tips. You will perfect them in no time!

10. Panna Cotta

Panna cotta is a set cream pudding and a famous Mediterranean dessert from Italy. You can make panna cotta in all sorts of flavors—it's so versatile! It has the smoothest, silkiest texture and is wonderfully refreshing on a summer day. It is a naturally gluten free dessert, and this coconut version is also dairy-free, too.

11. Brioche

Brioche is a rich and buttery French sweet bread made from an enriched yeasted dough. It's super tender and moist, and while it does take a bit of time to make, it is well worth the effort to then enjoy this delicious Mediterranean dessert afterward! I am certain you will love it.

12. Basque Cheesecake

Have you ever been to Spain and had a Basque cheesecake? Also known as burnt cheesecake, it has a cracked and caramelized exterior that gives way to a rich and creamy cheesecake filling. In conclusion, no one can ever resist! What's more, it is much easier to make than you might think.

13. Financiers

French Financiers are a dainty tea cake, made with nut flour and browned butter (a "beurre noisette") and baked into dainty rectangles. They get their name as they look reminiscent of bars of gold! Flavor them with spices and decorate with chopped nuts for added taste and texture.

14. Greek Yogurt Cookies

These traditional Greek yogurt cookies have the most amazing soft and chewy texture. Just try them and see! The yogurt is thick and creamy and adds amazing moisture to the cookie dough, and you'll discover why I love baking with Greek yogurt so much.

15. Clafoutis

Clafoutis is a traditional and rustic French dessert. It is similar to a flan and has a custard-like creamy texture, and what´s more, it is so easy to make. Try making clafoutis with cherries for a fancy brunch or afternoon dessert.

16. Cinnamon Apple Babka

Try adding the delicious warm flavors of cinnamon and apple to this tasty Mediterranean dessert for a spiced fall dessert. While it might look complicated to create, in my tutorial, I show you exactly how to twist and shape the dough.

17. Crème Brûlée

Crème brûlée is a rich baked cream custard, and it is one of my favorite French desserts! It's baked in a water bath and then sprinkled with sugar. Use a kitchen torch or pop it under the broiler to melt the sugar, and you get the iconic crunchy top layer.

18. Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Italian ricotta cookies are so fresh and zesty, and filled with lemon juice and fresh citrus flavor. You can almost imagine being on the Amalfi coast while enjoying this easy Mediterranean desserts recipe!

19. Chocolate Brioche

What could make brioche even more indulgent? Chocolate, of course. Each bite of this tender and moist bread is laced with rich chocolate flavor and buttery flavor. I highly recommend making French toast with chocolate brioche. Simply put, it is irresistible.

20. Ravani (Greek Semolina Cake)

A classic Greek semolina cake is one of the most traditional Mediterranean desserts recipes you can make. Moist and delicious, and so easy to customize with citrus zest, chopped nuts, and other tasty treats. Simply top with whipped cream and enjoy!

21. Fritule - Croatian Fritters

Fritule are little doughnuts traditionally served as a Christmas treat in Croatia. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make them any time of the year! Be warned, they are certainly addictive. Crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, they are ready in just 30 minutes. All you need to do is dust them with powdered sugar! Simply put, you have to try them.

22. Layali Lubnan

A Lebanese semolina pudding dessert is absolutely delicious. Thick layers of semolina pudding are topped with a silky cream topping, and garnished with chopped pistachios. Finally, a fragrant sugar syrup is drizzled over the top.

23. Greek Orange Phyllo Cake

How beautiful is this Greek orange cake? Portokalopita is moist and delicious and has the most amazing orange flavor. I love the way the orange slices are arranged on top. It's a classic way of adding taste, texture, and visual interest. Simply put, cakes like this are Mediterranean dessert recipes you have to try.

Check out some of these other Greek desserts too!

24. Spanish Crema Catalana

Have you tried this creamy Catalan dessert? It is so delicious that it seems designed for warm Mediterranean nights. What's more, this quintessential Mediterranean dessert could not be easier to make. It takes only a few simple ingredients, all of which you probably have in your pantry.

25. Honey Cake

If you have never tried honey cake, you have been missing out on one of the best authentic Mediterranean desserts you could ever eat. But make sure you use quality honey. Because the better the quality of the honey, the stronger the honey flavor and the better the result.

26. Doukissa - Cypriot Duchess Cake

While you'll need to be patient and wait for this Cypriot dessert to set in the fridge before you can slice it up, it is well worth it. Made from a host of simple ingredients like chocolate, walnuts, butter, and cookies, this tasty dessert is also laced with Cypriot brandy. And, Duchess cakes are no-bake Mediterranean desserts, too!

27. Cannoli Siciliani

Cannoli is one of my personal favorite Mediterranean desserts. Delicate tubes of fried pastry are filled with silky ricotta filling. But don't be put off that this is a Mediterranean dessert with cheese! Ricotta cheese is creamy and delicious and certainly works well in desserts. Add chopped nuts, fruits, and chocolate chips; the choice is yours!

28. Moroccan Guava Almond Phyllo Cake

It isn't hard to see why this Mediterranean dessert is also known as Snake cake! Make Moroccan snake cake, or M'hanncha from twisted phyllo dough, coiled up and baked with other flavors, nuts, and spices. Simply put, yum!

29. Spanish Leche Frita Dessert

Whilst you might be puzzled by the name of this Spanish dessert, you should certainly still try it! The name "leche frita" translates as "fried milk." But, in fact, it is a deliciously sweet cold milk pudding with a warm and crunchy fried shell of flour and egg. In conclusion, try it!

30. Loukoumades: Greek and Cypriot Honey Donuts

How amazingly soft and sticky do these donuts look? I'd certainly eat more than one. As Mediterranean desserts go, Greek donuts should be at the top of your list. The pillowy texture needs to be tried to be believed!

31. Italian Affogato

Now, this is a classic Mediterranean dessert you must have heard of. The key is in its simplicity, just plain and unfussy vanilla ice cream and a double shot of strong Italian espresso poured on top. The ice cream melts into the coffee, and the result is a creamy pick-me-up that everyone loves.

32. Sfenj Moroccan Donuts

Sfenj is a type of donut from Morocco made from sticky, unsweetened dough shaped into a rustic ring shape. They have a super addictive chewy interior and a crispy interior that's sprinkled with sugar.

33. Imqaret – Maltese date filled pastry

If you have ever traveled to the Mediterranean island of Malta, you may have tried Imqaret. This traditional Maltese dessert is made from thin pieces of sweet pastry filled with a spiced date and citrus paste and fried. It is very popular, and once you bite through the buttery pastry crust and taste the filling, it is certainly easy to see why!

34. Lebanese Mahalepi

How beautiful is this traditional Lebanese milk pudding? What's more, it is so simple and easy to make. Flavored with orange blossom syrup and topped with chopped nuts and fresh figs, what could be more delicious?

35. Tunisian Debla

I love how this beautiful Mediterranean dessert looks like little roses. But whilst they look complicated, they are very simple to make and shape. Serve on a plate with a pot of fresh coffee, and enjoy.

36. Syrian Rice Pudding

Unbelievably, creamy Syrian rice pudding does not contain any eggs. Instead, it is thickened with cornstarch and flavored with rose water to give the most wonderful Mediterranean flavor. What's more, you can enjoy it at room temperature or chilled. Serve with fresh fruit and chopped nuts for a refreshing sweet treat.

37. Moroccan Almond Cigars

Now, here is a cigar I would enjoy! Deep-fried crunchy phyllo pastry filled with delicious cream and flavored with orange blossom and crushed pistachio nuts. Certainly, this is one of the best desserts from the Mediterranean to try!

38. Chocolate Rugelach

Rugelach originated in the Jewish communities in Europe and the Mediterranean, and it's easy to see why it is so popular. A bite-sized cookie made from cream cheese pastry dough is then filled with dark chocolate and cinnamon before being baked to perfection. Flaky, buttery, chocolatey, and surely absolutely delicious. 

39. Pistachio Gelato

How could I make a list of Mediterranean desserts and not include good old-fashioned Italian gelato? Certainly, it's a classic. Arguably, pistachio is the best flavor, but you will have to make your own decision.

40. Politiko Dessert

When I see Politiko, I am always reminded of tiramisu. It's a Greek dessert made from layers of semolina cake and cream. So, I suppose one could say it is like Greek tiramisu! Soft and creamy, rich and delicious, no one can resist a second slice.

41. Muhallebi Amardeen Pudding

Trust me, and try this classic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dessert! Muhallebi Amardeen Pudding, also known as Muhallabia Qamar al-din Pudding or apricot pudding, is silky smooth and full of sweet and tart apricot flavors. Certainly, it's one to add to your to-do list.

FAQs

Related Recipes

Try these other delicious Mediterranean desserts.