40+ Irresistible Mediterranean Desserts to Try

The Mediterranean region is famous for its yummy food. People love how they use fresh stuff to make tasty meals.

But did you know they make amazing sweet treats too? Mediterranean desserts mix ideas from Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

You’ll find honey-soaked pastries, creamy puddings, and fruity cakes. I’ve tried many of these treats on my travels.

Some are light and refreshing, others rich and sweet. Let me show you these wonderful Mediterranean desserts that will make your mouth water!

Classic Greek Desserts

Greek sweets often use honey, nuts, and thin dough. You might know some already! I love how they mix simple ingredients to make treats that have been enjoyed for hundreds of years.

Baklava

Thin layers of pastry filled with chopped nuts and soaked in sweet honey syrup. The crunch when you bite into it is amazing! I first tried this at a Greek festival and couldn’t stop eating it.

Loukoumades

Little fried dough balls drizzled with honey and cinnamon. They’re crispy outside but soft inside. You can find these at street fairs where vendors make them fresh.

Galaktoboureko

Creamy custard wrapped in flaky phyllo dough and soaked in syrup. The contrast between the crisp outer layer and smooth filling is heavenly. My Greek friend’s grandma makes the best one!

Greek Ekmek Kataifi

Shredded phyllo dough base topped with creamy custard and whipped cream. Sometimes they add nuts or fruit on top. The different textures make each bite exciting.

Bougatsa

Warm phyllo dough wrapped around vanilla custard, sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon. It’s often eaten for breakfast in Greece. You’ll love how the sugar melts slightly on the warm pastry.

Melomakarona

Soft, oval-shaped cookies soaked in honey syrup with walnuts on top. They smell like orange, cinnamon, and cloves. I make these every Christmas now after trying them in Athens.

Kourabiedes

Buttery shortbread cookies covered in powdered sugar. They melt in your mouth! These treats are popular at Greek weddings and Christmas. The sugar gets everywhere but it’s worth it.

Greek Chocolate Cake (Sokolatopita)

Rich, moist chocolate cake with hints of orange. It’s not too sweet but super satisfying. My neighbor brings this to every potluck and never takes home leftovers.

Portokalopita

Shredded phyllo soaked in orange syrup makes this cake unique. It’s both light and rich at the same time. You can smell the orange zest from across the room.

Rizogalo

Creamy rice pudding flavored with vanilla and cinnamon. It’s served cold and often has cinnamon sprinkled on top. Greek grandmas make this when you’re feeling sad or sick.

Popular Italian Desserts

Italian desserts often feature cheese, coffee, and chocolate. You’ll find them rich but not too sweet. Many have been perfected over hundreds of years in little local bakeries.

Tiramisu

Layers of coffee-soaked lady fingers and mascarpone cream dusted with cocoa powder. It means “pick me up” in Italian because of the coffee. I learned to make this in a cooking class in Florence.

Cannoli

Crispy tube-shaped shells filled with sweet ricotta cream. Sometimes they add chocolate chips or pistachios at the ends. You must eat them right after they’re filled or the shell gets soggy.

Affogato

Simple but impressive – a scoop of vanilla gelato “drowned” with hot espresso. The mix of hot and cold is so exciting. I order this whenever I see it on a menu.

Panna Cotta

Silky smooth cream dessert set with gelatin and topped with fruit sauce. It jiggles slightly when you move it. The name means “cooked cream” but it’s served cold.

Homemade Gelato

Creamier than regular ice cream with intense flavors like pistachio or stracciatella. Italians eat this any time of day. You’ll notice they use less air than American ice cream.

Zeppole

Soft fried dough puffs are often filled with custard or jelly. They’re traditionally eaten on St. Josephs Day. The best ones have a crispy outside but are light inside.

Ricotta Cheesecake

Lighter than American cheesecake, made with ricotta instead of cream cheese. Sometimes flavored with lemon zest or orange flower water. My Italian colleague brings this to office parties.

Italian Cream Cake

Rich layers of cake with nuts, coconut, and cream cheese frosting. Despite the name, it’s actually popular in southern Italy. You’ll want to save room for this treat!

French & Spanish Desserts

These countries offer both rustic and fancy desserts. You’ll find many regional specialties that use local fruits and flavors. I’ve tried to recreate some at home with mixed results!

Crema Catalana

Spain’s answer to crème brûlée with a perfectly caramelized sugar top. It’s flavored with citrus and cinnamon. The fun part is cracking the sugar with your spoon.

Homemade Flan

Silky smooth caramel custard that’s both sweet and slightly bitter from the caramelized sugar. It wiggles on the plate when served. My aunt makes this for every family gathering.

Tarta de Santiago

Almond cake from northwest Spain marked with the St. James cross. It’s dense, moist, and gluten-free. You can smell the almonds from across the room when it’s baking.

Churros con Chocolate

Crispy fried dough sticks served with thick hot chocolate for dipping. They’re ridged to hold more sugar. I first had these at a street fair in Madrid.

Cherry Clafoutis

Rustic French dessert with cherries baked in a thick, custardy batter. Traditionally made with unpitted cherries for more flavor. It’s best to warm from the oven with a little cream.

Canelés

Small French pastries with a caramelized crust and soft custard center. They’re flavored with rum and vanilla. You’ll find them in bakeries throughout Bordeaux.

Pear Tarte Tatin

Upside-down caramelized pear tart with buttery pastry. It was supposedly created by accident. The sweet, soft pears melt in your mouth while the pastry stays crisp.

Middle Eastern Desserts

Middle Eastern sweets often use nuts, dates, and floral flavors. You’ll find many soaked in sweet syrups. These treats are perfect with strong coffee or tea after a meal.

Basbousa

Soft semolina cake soaked in sweet syrup and topped with almonds. It’s moist and not too sweet. My Egyptian friend’s mother makes this with orange flower water.

Kunafa

Shredded phyllo pastry filled with cheese or cream, soaked in sugar syrup. The bright orange color makes it stand out on any dessert table. You’ll love the contrast of crunchy and creamy.

Atayef

Little pancakes filled with cream or nuts, then folded and soaked in syrup. They’re especially popular during Ramadan. The ones filled with pistachios are my favorite.

Maamoul

Shortbread cookies filled with dates, pistachios, or walnuts. They’re often shaped in special wooden molds with beautiful patterns. I bring these to parties and they disappear fast.

Muhallebi

Silky milk pudding flavored with rose or orange blossom water. It’s often topped with crushed pistachios. You’ll find this simple dessert in homes throughout the Middle East.

Homemade Halva

Dense, crumbly candy made from tahini or semolina. It comes in many flavors like chocolate or pistachio. The texture is unique – both creamy and flaky at the same time.

Stuffed Dates

Sweet dates filled with nuts or cream cheese, sometimes dipped in chocolate. They’re nature’s candy! My mom makes these for special occasions using dates from our garden.

North African Desserts

North African desserts feature honey, nuts, and warm spices. You’ll notice many fried treats and special holiday sweets. The flavors are bold and often feature sesame or orange.

Chebakia

Flower-shaped cookies are fried and soaked in honey, then sprinkled with sesame seeds. They’re traditionally made for Ramadan. The folded shape holds more of the sweet syrup.

Zlabia

Swirly fried dough soaked in saffron-scented syrup. They’re crunchy outside and soft inside. I watched street vendors make these in Morocco – it’s an art form!

Umm Ali

Egyptian bread pudding made with pastry, milk, nuts, and raisins. It’s served warm with a golden top. The name means “Ali’s mother” after the woman who created it.

Ghoriba Bahla

Moroccan shortbread cookies with cracked tops and chewy centers. They’re often flavored with almonds or sesame. You’ll love how they melt in your mouth with a cup of mint tea.

Turkish & Additional Desserts

Turkish sweets often feature delicate flavors and interesting textures. You’ll find many milk-based desserts and special techniques. I’ve tried to learn some of these recipes with mixed success!

Revani

Semolina cake soaked in lemon syrup. It’s fluffy yet moist with a bright flavor. Sometimes they add coconut to the batter for extra texture and taste.

Turkish Rice pudding (Sütlaç)

Creamy rice pudding is often baked in clay pots until the top is golden brown. It’s sprinkled with cinnamon before serving. My Turkish friend’s mom makes this when we visit.

Lokum (Turkish Delight)

Soft, chewy candy cubes flavored with rose water, lemon, or mint. They’re dusted with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. I bought some in Istanbul’s grand bazaar which was amazing.

Kadayif

Shredded phyllo dough soaked in syrup, often with nuts inside. It’s similar to baklava but with a different texture. The crispy strands make it fun to eat.

Turkish Tulumba

Fried dough churros soaked in syrup with ridged edges from being piped. They’re crispy outside but soft and syrupy inside. You can find these at street vendors throughout Turkey.

Homemade Turkish Ice Cream

Uniquely stretchy ice cream made with orchid root powder and mastic. Street vendors in Turkey play tricks with it because it’s so stretchy! The flavor is often flavored with vanilla and topped with pistachios.

Final Thoughts

Mediterranean desserts show us how people share their culture through sweet treats. Each country adds its own twist, but they all use what grows nearby.

You can taste the sunshine in citrus flavors and the care in honey-soaked pastries. I’ve tried many of these desserts on my travels, and each one tells a story about the place it comes from.

Try making some at home, or look for a local bakery that sells them. Many cities now have shops selling these traditional sweets.

What’s your favorite Mediterranean dessert? I’d love to hear about treats you’ve tried or ones you want to make!

The sweet treasures of the Mediterranean are waiting for you to find them.