Discover 10 delicious and unique Turkish desserts, from Dondurma ice cream to baklava, that offer an unforgettable authentic taste experience.
Türkiye is known not only for its rich history and culture, but also for its mouth-watering culinary specialties, especially when it comes to desserts.
If you are planning to taste the sweetness of Turkish tradition, here are 10 must-try Turkish desserts. Each dish has its own uniqueness and story, combining local ingredients and traditional techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation.
1. Dondurma (Turkish Ice Cream)
Dondurma is a typical Turkish ice cream that is famous for its dense and chewy texture. Originating from the city of Maras, this ice cream has extraordinary resistance to hot temperatures, so it does not melt easily.
Another uniqueness of dondurma is its way of selling which is full of attractions, where they tease buyers with funny tricks when handing over the ice cream.
Dondurma is made with a mixture of milk, sugar, and two special thickeners, gum arabic and salep (a powder made from purple orchid roots). Its sweet and chewy taste gives it a different experience from the usual ice cream, making it a great choice for enjoying the sweet taste of Turkey.
2. Baklava
Baklava is one of the most iconic desserts from Türkiye. Made from thin layers of buttered filo, baklava is filled with chopped nuts such as pistachios or walnuts, then baked to perfection.
After baking, baklava is drizzled with a sweet syrup, giving it a delicious sweet taste with a crunchy and soft texture on the inside.
Although the origins of baklava can be traced back to Assyrian times, modern baklava as we know it today is believed to have originated in Türkiye. As one of the most famous examples of Typical Turkish Food, its unmatched deliciousness makes it a favorite dessert all over 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.
Its sweetness is enhanced with flavorings such as rosewater, bergamot orange, or mint, while modern versions often include pistachios or walnuts.
Traditionally, Turkish delight is served with tea or coffee and is a dish commonly eaten after breakfast, lunch or dinner. Although lokum may look simple, its flavor and chewy texture provide a different taste experience.
4. Asure (Noah’s Pudding)
Asure, or Noah’s pudding, is one of the oldest known desserts in the world, with a long history that dates back to ancient times.
This dish is made from a mixture of dried fruits, nuts, and seeds such as dried apricots, raisins, hazelnuts, and pine nuts, as well as barley and wheat kernels. The fresh aroma of lemon or orange zest adds the finishing touch to this dish.
Asure is usually served during the month of Muharram as a dish to break the fast, and is often shared with neighbors or family as a symbol of friendship and unity. This pudding reflects the diversity of Turkish culture and the warmth of the community.
5. Tulumba
Tulumba is a popular dessert in Türkiye made from a dough of flour, butter, eggs and sugar, then fried until crispy.
The shape resembles churros, but the difference lies in the immersion of the fried dough in thick syrup. The sweet taste of the syrup makes Tulumba a very satisfying snack, especially when served with tea or coffee.
Tulumba is also known by various names in other countries, such as bamiyeh in Iran and balah el-sham in Egypt. In Turkey, tulumba is often a favorite snack throughout the day.
6. Turkish Rice Pudding (Fırın Sütlaç)
Fırın Sütlaç or Turkish rice pudding is a variant of rice pudding made from milk, wheat, and heavy cream. This pudding is baked until the top is browned, giving it a soft and creamy texture on the inside, while the top layer is crispy.
Often, this pudding is garnished with cinnamon powder, which adds to the delicious taste. With its sweet and creamy taste combined with a touch of cinnamon, Fırın Sütlaç is the perfect dessert to end your dinner on a sweet note.
7. Knefe
Künefe is a Turkish dessert that is popular among sweet tooths. It is made from kadayıf dough, which is made from wheat, soaked in sugar syrup and filled with pistachios and goat cheese. Künefe is then baked until it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with savory and sweet flavors blending in every bite.
The combination of the savory taste of goat cheese and the sweetness of syrup provides a very distinctive and different taste experience. Künefe is perfect to enjoy as a dessert after dinner or as an afternoon snack.
8. Tulumba Tatli
Tulumba Tatlısı is one of Turkey’s most favorite street foods. Made from a dough of flour and semolina, this dessert is fried until crispy and then dipped in a sweet lemon syrup. Its soft inside and crunchy outside texture makes it a very popular snack among locals.
Similar to churros, but with the added fresh taste of lemon syrup, Tulumba Tatlısı provides a refreshing taste experience and is perfect for eating on the streets of Turkish cities while enjoying the surrounding scenery.
9. Tavuk Goglusü
Tavuk Göğsü is a unique dessert made from chicken! Although it sounds strange, this dish has a delicious taste.
Chicken is cooked until smooth and mixed with milk and sugar to create a smooth consistency, similar to pudding. Once cooked, Tavuk Göğsü is served with a sprinkling of cinnamon on top.
sweet taste of this chicken pudding is very distinctive, providing a new experience in enjoying a dessert that is different from the others.
10. A Cursive
Un Kurabiyesi is a traditional Turkish pastry made from butter, sugar and flour. These cookies have a crispy and light texture that melts in your mouth. Usually, un kurabiyesi is served with tea or coffee, making it a perfect companion for a relaxing session.
The fragrant aroma when it comes out of the oven makes un kurabiyesi a very appetizing snack, perfect for eating in the afternoon with family or friends.
Turkish desserts offer a wide variety of mouth-watering flavors, from sweet and chewy like Dondurma, to unique and exotic like Tavuk Göğsü.
Each dessert has its own unique character, combining traditional ingredients and recipes that have been passed down through generations. If you have the chance to visit Turkey, be sure to try some of these 10 typical Turkish desserts.
In addition to tasting them, you can also bring them home as Typical Turkish Souvenirs, allowing you to share the sweetness of a culinary tradition that is known throughout the world.
