Explore a variety of mouth-watering Turkish desserts, from chewy Dondurma to sweet Baklava, providing an unforgettable authentic taste experience.
Türkiye is known for its rich cultural heritage, but no less important is its culinary riches, especially when it comes to desserts.
From unique ice creams to delicious sweets, Turkey has a myriad of mouth-watering desserts that will delight your taste buds.
If you’re planning to explore Turkey’s sweet delights, here are 10 of the best desserts you must try. Each of these dishes not only tantalizes with their flavors but also carries traditions that have been passed down for centuries.
1. Dondurma (Turkish Ice Cream)
Dondurma is an ice cream originating from the city of Maras, Turkey, and is famous for its chewy and long-lasting texture.
Unlike regular ice cream, dondurma has extraordinary resistance to hot temperatures, so it does not melt easily.
This is due to the addition of special thickeners, namely gum arabic (fragrant resin) and salep (powder from purple orchid roots), which give this ice cream its thickness and chewiness.
Dondurma vendors are known for their entertaining attractions, where they tease customers with funny tricks while handing them the ice cream.
Dondurma has a smooth sweet taste, providing an unmatched refreshing experience, making it a perfect choice to enjoy during hot weather.
2. Baklava
Baklava is one of the most famous and iconic Turkish desserts. Made from thin layers of filo and butter, baklava is filled with nuts such as crushed pistachios or walnuts.
After that, baklava is baked until golden brown, then drizzled with a sweet syrup that gives it a delicious taste that pampers the tongue.
Although the origins of baklava can be traced back to Assyrian times, modern baklava using filo dough is believed to have originated in Türkiye.
As a well-known Typical Turkish Food, its unique deliciousness, with a crunchy outside and soft inside texture, makes it a dessert loved by many people around the world.
3. Turkish Delight (Lokum)
Turkish Delight, or lokum in Turkish, is a sweet snack in the form of small cubes made from starch gel and sugar.
Traditional lokum is usually flavored with rosewater, lemon, bergamot orange, or mint, giving it a distinctive aroma and flavor. Modern versions of lokum often also include pistachios or walnuts for a richer texture.
Lokum is usually served with tea or coffee and is a snack eaten after a meal. In Turkey, lokum is not just a dessert, but also a symbol of hospitality and a culinary tradition that has existed for centuries.
4. Asure (Noah’s Pudding)
Asure, also known as Noah ‘s pudding, is one of the oldest known desserts in the world. This pudding is made from a mixture of dried fruits, nuts, and seeds such as apricots, raisins, hazelnuts, and pine nuts, mixed with wheat and barley. The fresh aroma of lemon or orange peel gives a refreshing finish to this dish.
Asure has a long history associated with the story of Noah and is often served during the month of Muharram as a fast-breaking dish. This pudding not only symbolizes cultural diversity, but also friendship and unity, as it is often shared with neighbors or family as a sign of kindness.
5. Tulumba
Tulumba is a sweet snack made from a dough of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs that is fried until crispy.
After being fried, tulumba is soaked in a thick syrup that makes it very sweet and delicious. Its shape is similar to churros, but with the difference in the syrup used, making it a popular snack choice in Turkey.
Tulumba is also known by different names in other countries, such as bamiyeh in Iran and balah el-sham in Egypt. In Turkey, tulumba is often eaten with tea or coffee and is a favorite snack to accompany relaxing time throughout the day.
6. Turkish Rice Pudding (Fırın Sütlaç)
Fırın Sütlaç is a version of rice pudding that is very popular in Turkey. Made from milk, cream, and wheat, this pudding is baked until the top is golden brown, creating a soft texture inside with a crispy layer on top. It is often garnished with cinnamon powder, which adds sweetness and warmth.
Fırın Sütlaç is perfect after dinner, as a sweet and creamy dessert. Its thick texture and soft sweet taste make it one of the favorite desserts in Turkey.
7. Knefe
Künefe is a dessert made from kadayıf dough, a type of thin wheat noodle, soaked in sugar syrup and filled with pistachios and goat cheese. Once baked, künefe has a crispy texture on the outside and soft on the inside, with a very distinctive sweet and savory taste.
The goat cheese used provides the perfect savory flavor to balance the sweetness of the sugar syrup, creating a unique taste experience. Künefe is very popular as a dessert in Turkish restaurants and is usually served with a cup of tea to complete the culinary experience.
8. Tulumba Tatli
Tulumba Tatlısı is one of the most popular street foods in Turkey. Made from a dough of flour and semolina that is fried until crispy, then soaked in a sweet lemon syrup, Tulumba Tatlısı is soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. It is a perfect snack to enjoy while walking around the city.
Similar to churros, but with a refreshing twist from lemon syrup, Tulumba Tatlısı is a refreshing and delicious snack. It is very popular among locals and tourists alike, often served along the streets of Turkey as an afternoon snack.
9. Tavuk Goglusü
Tavuk Göğsü is one of the most unique desserts you can find in Turkey, made from chicken! Although it sounds strange, this dessert has a very delicious taste. Chicken meat is cooked until smooth and mixed with milk and sugar, creating a soft texture and a tempting sweet taste.
This chicken pudding is usually served with cinnamon sprinkled on top. Although the main ingredient is chicken, Tavuk Göğsü has a very sweet and creamy taste, making it a unique and interesting dessert.
10. A Cursive
Un Kurabiyesi is a traditional Turkish biscuit made from butter, sugar and flour. This cookie has a crunchy texture that melts in your mouth, giving a very appetizing taste sensation. Usually, Un Kurabiyesi is served with tea or coffee, making it a perfect companion for a relaxing time.
The fragrant aroma when fresh out of the oven adds to the appeal of this cake, making it very popular with people who visit Türkiye. Un Kurabiyesi is the perfect snack choice to accompany your relaxing time with friends or family.
Turkish desserts offer a variety of unique and tempting sweet flavors, from the chewy Dondurma to the exotic Tavuk Göğsü. Each of these dishes not only pleases the palate but also provides insight into Turkey’s rich and diverse culinary culture.
If you have the chance to visit Türkiye, don’t miss the opportunity to try these 10 delicious Turkish desserts. You can also bring them home as Typical Turkish Souvenirs, allowing you to share and experience the unique culinary tradition that has existed for centuries.
