Lucas M
Pastries are a beloved treat in many cultures, and each country has its take on these delectable desserts. While pastries like croissants and donuts are famous and treasured, plenty of pastries are waiting to be discovered. If you are a pastry lover and enjoy trying new foods, try these 15 underappreciated treats.
Kouign-Amann (France)
From Brittany, France, Kouign-Amann is a buttery, caramelized pastry made with laminated dough. Often called the “fattiest pastry in all of Europe,” its name translates to “butter cake” in Breton. This crispy treat is like a croissant but denser and sweeter.
Picarones (Peru)
Picarones are a traditional Peruvian pastry made from a dough of sweet potatoes and squash, deep-fried until golden. Served with a spiced syrup made from molasses and anise, these doughnut-like treats are flaky on the outside and soft on the inside.
Pastel de Nata (Portugal)
Portugal’s Pastel de Nata is a custard tart with a buttery crust filled with egg-based custard. These tarts are baked at high temperatures to create a caramelized top and a rich, creamy interior. Pastel de Nata is often enjoyed with a sprinkle of cinnamon and powdered sugar.
Ensaimada (Spain)
This scrumptious treat is a spiral-shaped pastry from Mallorca, Spain. Ensaimada is made with a rich, sweet dough often filled with cream, pumpkin, or chocolate. The dessert has a unique texture that comes from pork lard, giving it a delicate, flaky consistency. This pastry is traditionally dusted with powdered sugar and enjoyed with coffee.
Cannelé (France)
Originating from Bordeaux, France, Cannelés are small, cylindrical pastries with a caramelized crust and a tender, custardy interior. Flavored with rum and vanilla, these treats are baked in copper molds, which give them their characteristic shape and texture.
Krapfen (Germany)
Krapfen, or Berliner, are German doughnuts traditionally filled with jam, custard, or chocolate. These yeast-risen pastries are deep-fried until golden and dusted with powdered sugar. Popular during celebrations like Carnival, Krapfen are light, fluffy, and bursting with sweet fillings.
Sfogliatella (Italy)
Hailing from Naples, Italy, Sfogliatella is a shell-shaped pastry with thin, crispy layers of dough filled with ricotta, semolina, and candied citrus. It has a distinctive ridged texture and rich filling, and every bite combines crispiness and creaminess.
Kolaczki (Poland)
Kolaczki are Polish pastries made from a rich, buttery dough filled with fruit preserves, sweet cheese, or nut mixtures. The pastry is shaped into small squares or crescents and baked until golden and dusted with powdered sugar.
Punschkrapfen (Austria)
The Punschkrapfen is an Austrian pastry with a sponge cake soaked in rum, filled with apricot jam and nougat, and covered in pink fondant icing. This decadent treat is popular in Viennese coffeehouses. It combines cake, fruity filling, and a sweet, glossy exterior.
Suncake (Taiwan)
Taiyang Bing, or Suncakes, are traditional Taiwanese pastries with a buttery crust filled with maltose syrup. These round, golden pastries are often enjoyed with tea and are known for their delicate layers and sweet, chewy filling. Suncakes are a popular gift and a symbol of Taiwanese culinary heritage.
Qatayef (Middle East)
In the Middle East, Qatayef pastry is traditionally served during Ramadan. These stuffed pancakes are filled with sweet cheese, nuts, or cream, then deep-fried or baked and drizzled with syrup.
Chipa Guazu (Paraguay)
If you ever visit Paraguay, consider visiting a pastry shop that sells Chipa Guazu. The pastry is made from corn, cheese, eggs, and milk, similar to a corn souffle or cake. This hearty, cheesy dish is traditionally baked in clay ovens and enjoyed as a snack or side dish.
Knafeh (Levant)
This Levantine pastry is made from shredded phyllo dough or semolina, soaked in syrup, and layered with soft cheese or clotted cream. Knafeh is typically topped with pistachios and baked until crispy. It incorporates crunchy, syrupy, and creamy textures for a delightful and decadent indulgence.
Runeberg Torte (Finland)
Runeberg torte is a famous Finnish pastry named after poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg. This small, cylindrical cake is flavored with almonds, rum, or arrack and topped with raspberry jam and icing. Traditionally enjoyed on Runeberg’s birthday, February 5th, it remains a cherished treat in Finland throughout the year.
Galaktoboureko (Greece)
From Greece, Galaktoboureko is made with crispy phyllo dough filled with creamy semolina custard and soaked in a lemon-infused syrup. Galaktoboureko pastry offers a delightful contrast between the flaky crust and smooth filling. You can serve it at tea parties or any special occasion.
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