Are you looking for a taste of the Mediterranean without having to leave your kitchen? Put on your apron and get ready to create some delicious Mediterranean Desserts from across the sea!
Whether you’re in the mood for something decadent like flaky baklava or lighter like strawberry tart, we’ve found the perfect recipes that will transform your kitchen into an authentic Mediterranean kitchen.
So invite family and friends over or treat yourself with these sweet treats!
Mediterranean Desserts:
1. Greek Orange Honey Cake With Pistachios
Our list of the Best Mediterranean Dessert Recipes begins with a simple but insanely delicious Greek Orange Honey Cake with Pistachios.
This light cake uses a combination of flour and Greek yogurt to give it the best tangy flavor and fluffy texture. After cooking and cooling the cake, pour on the honey pistachio syrup and sprinkle with shaved almonds.
A sticky, divine cake to feed a crowd and get rave reviews !
Get the Recipe @ themediterraneandish
2. Italian Tiramisu
Want something to impress your company with? Then try this classic Italian Tiramisu.
It features a super rich and creamy mascarpone filling, chocolate and coffee-soaked lady fingers, and is finished with a dusting of cocoa powder.
A perfect finish to a classic Italian dinner!
Get the Recipe @ bakerbynature
3. Creme Brûlée
Creme Brûlée is an elegant dessert but surprisingly simple to make at home. And best of all, you can make it a few hours before dinner, or days in advance!
This gourmet dessert is made with four basic ingredients: eggs, cream, vanilla and sugar. After cooking these ingredients on the stovetop, pour into ramekins to bake. Sprinkle on sugar and broil or torch to caramelize the topping.
Serve with berries on top for a beautiful finish and enjoy!
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
4. Greek Baklava
Time to make one of the easiest and best Mediterranean desserts, Greek Baklava.
This timeless classic is a combination of flavors: crispy, buttery phyllo, chopped walnuts and an amazingly sweet cinnamon honey syrup.
Serve this with coffee or Ouzo for a traditional Greek aperitif!
Get the Recipe @ valentinascorner
5. Malasadas
Malasadas are sweet, light, and fluffy Portuguese donuts that are so addicting that it’s hard to stop eating them!
These yeast-based donuts are a delicious combination of flour, eggs, sugar and milk. They are then fried till they’re golden brown and shaken in a bag of sugar.
A delicious afternoon pastry with you coffee or tea. Just be sure to make big batch!
6. Italian Lemon Olive Oil Cake
Italian Lemon Olive Oil Cake is an ultra soft, tender, and extremely moist cake without being too heavy and dense.
This easy one-bowl and no-mixer cake is zesty and delicious! Using lemon juice, lemon zest, and limoncello gives it a tangy sweet flavor that is sensational.
Eating this dessert on a sunny summer day will have you dreaming of a Mediterranean vacation!
7. Cherry Clafoutis
Cherry Clafoutis is a divine French dessert that may become your new favorite cherry recipe. Sorry cherry pie!
This recipe is super simple to make using basic pantry staple ingredients and fresh or canned cherries. It has a creamy custard-like texture and sweet bites of cherries spread throughout.
Simply finished off this fabulous Mediterranean dessert with a dusting of powdered sugar. Serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Yum!
Get the Recipe @ tastesbetterfromscratch
8. Churros
Churros are a fried dough pastry famous in Spanish and Portuguese cuisine.
These amazingly crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside pastries are super easy to make. And the best part is that you can make this entire batch in just 20 minutes!
It makes a great make-ahead party dessert and it is also delicious dipped in hot chocolate or coffee for breakfast.
Get the Recipe @ recipetineats
9. Moroccan Orange Cake
This Moroccan Orange cake is incredibly easy to make and gets it’s delicious flavors from fresh oranges.
Full of sweet citrusy flavors and a perfectly moist texture, this cake bakes in a bundt pan and needs no frosting. Just sprinkle with powered sugar or orange jam.
Serve this amazing cake for tea time, dessert or even breakfast.
10. Loukoumades
Treat yourself to these Loukoumades, the traditional fried donuts from Cyprus and Greece.
These amazing pastries are scrumptious! They are crispy on the outside and light and airy inside. Coated with honey, cinnamon and walnuts, they are a completely sticky yummy treat.
Anytime of the day is the right time for this awesome Mediterranean dessert!
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11. Turkish Ashure (Noah’s Pudding)
Turkish Ashure aka Noah’s Pudding is a very famous dessert from the Middle East. Served on a religious day in the Muslim religion, it is also made and shared with neighbors and friends.
This pudding is made with wheat berries, legumes, and fresh and dried fruits making a wonderful dessert or great breakfast porridge too.
Try this Turkish version of Ashure if you’re looking for an interesting and exotic dessert.
12. Panna Cotta
Panna Cotta is a creamy Italian pudding-like dessert that has a super smooth texture that will simply melt in your mouth.
This Mediterranean dessert is a super easy recipe using milk, unflavored gelatin, whipping cream, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla. It’s topped with a spectacular berry sauce using fresh berries.
This gourmet worthy dessert would go well with a cup strong espresso. Enjoy!
Get the Recipe @ natashaskitchen
13. French Macarons
Learn how to make the best French Macarons at home with the help of this beginner’s recipe.
These macarons are delicate sandwich cookies with a crispy exterior and a creamy flavorful filling. Vanilla buttercream, salted caramel and chocolate ganache are just a few of the delicious fillings to choose from.
If you love to make cookies and have patience, you can do this!
Get the Recipe @ sallysbakingaddiction
14. Turkish Delight (Lokum)
This Turkish Delight, a jelly candy, is also famously known as Lokum.
This Mediterranean dessert is a delicately rosewater-flavored, fragrant jelly candy. But, you can easily use other light flavors like cinnamon, orange, or vanilla.
Making candy is an art and science, so follow the tips and tricks in this recipe to make it perfect every time!
Get the Recipe @ themediterraneandish
15. Italian Ricotta Cheesecake
Is it possible to make your cheesecake lighter but without compromising its delicious taste? Yes, with this Italian Ricotta Cheesecake recipe you can make a much lighter and airier cake.
This elegant cake is perfect for any of your special occasion and no one will know the difference!
Serve with fresh berries, whip cream or your favorite topping!
Get the Recipe @ dinnerthendessert
16. Spanish Flan
Spanish Flan is an authentic Mediterranean recipe that uses only 4 ingredients to make this delicious dessert.
This light and creamy dessert is super simple but does take concentration to make it perfect every time. Just follow the recipe, it’s definitely worth it.
Don’t forget, a good flan should always wiggle and jiggle on the spoon!
Get the Recipe @ spanishsabores
17. Salted Caramel Apple Galette
Surprise everyone with this French inspired dessert, Salted Caramel Apple Galette.
Gallets are super easy to make from the flaky buttery crust to the perfectly spiced apple filling. Bake to perfection and drizzle with an easy salted caramel sauce.
Serve a big slice with a large scoop of ice cream and enjoy!
Get the Recipe @ sallysbakingaddiction
18. Croatian Peach Cookies
Croatian Peach Cookies, called Breskvice, are popular holiday cookies. And, they look exactly like fuzzy peaches!
These peach-shaped sandwich cookies are filled with peach jam, walnuts and rum. Like many fancy cookies they take time and patience, but it’s worth it in the end. They are simply delicious!
This Mediterranean recipe would be perfect to make with the help of a small group of friends. And maybe a sip of the leftover rum would help!
19. Kaber Ellouz (Tunisian Almond Balls)
Kaber Ellouz (Tunisian Almond Balls) make a great no-bake dessert and it’s a must-try recipe for all sweet tooth lovers.
This colorful Tunisian dessert is made by braiding together 3 pieces of almond dough. The pieces are each colored differently: one plain, one red, and one green. They are then formed into a ball shape and coated in superfine sugar.
This fun to eat treat is ready to eat and the kids will love it!
Get the Recipe @ tarasmulticulturaltable
20. Pizzicati (Italian Pinch Cookies)
We’ve got an amazing cookie for your tea and coffee time! Pizzicati is also known as Italian Pinch Cookies, but you can relish this as a dessert, snack, or even for breakfast.
These shortbread cookies are super easy-to-make and are filled with your favorite jam. Buttery but not too sweet, these cookies are perfect for everyday, holidays or parties.
Get the Recipe @ themediterraneandish
21. Basbousa (semolina cake)
Egypt’s famous dessert called Basbousa (Semolina Cake) is divine and this is an authentic recipe.
This soft cake is made of delicious coconut, yogurt, and semolina, sprinkled with nuts and then finished off with delicious syrup.
Give this tantalizing cake a try when you’re looking for a new exotic Mediterranean dessert recipe.
22. French Strawberry Tart
This Classic French Strawberry Tart is the supreme elegant dessert!
This gorgeous tart is not only effortless to make, it’s beautiful and delicious. It’s made of a buttery pastry crust with juicy ripe strawberries arranged on a layer of smooth crème pâtissière. Apricot glaze is then brushed on the strawberries for a finishing touch.
Serve this tart with coffee or dessert wine.
Get the Recipe @ pardonyourfrench
23. Kunafa
It’s time to explore the traditional Middle Eastern treat that is popularly known as Kunafa!
This iconic dessert recipe is made from scratch and it features a spun pastry called kataifi, a creamy filling and is soaked in condensed milk. It’s then jazzed up with crushed pistachio.
This Kunafa is famous for a very good reason, so try it soon!
24. Griwech
Griwech is a popular pasty in North African countries. They are often prepared during the holy month of Ramadan but can be enjoyed any time of the year.
Explore this different yet amazing pasty that is deep fried and coated in honey and sesame seeds. It’s not only sweet and delicious, but it can also be made into different shapes.
25. Classic French Chocolate Mousse
Attention all chocolate lovers, we got you the Classic French Chocolate Mousse recipe for you to try. It’s absolutely airy, smooth, and intensely chocolaty.
This famous Mediterranean recipe uses amazingly simple ingredients. Just follow the recipe tips to get the perfect texture and flavors.
Serve this elegant dessert for a special night and enjoy!
Get the Recipe @ pardonyourfrench
26. Cannolis
Now you can make Cannolis, a classic Italian dessert, at home with this foolproof recipe!
This mega-simple recipe needs only 5 ingredients to make: Cannoli shells, ricotta cheese, confectioner’s sugar, mini chocolate chips and vanilla. That’s it!
A perfect end to any Italian meal served with a cup of espresso!
Get the Recipe @ bakerbynature
27. Sutlaç – Turkish Rice Pudding
If you like simple desserts, then Sutlaç (Turkish Rice Pudding) is a must-try recipe. Perfect for any event or simply when you crave something delicious.
This gluten-free dessert is creamy, rich, and super yummy! To make this Mediterranean dessert you only need milk, rice, and sugar. And there are two methods of cooking: one is stove top and the other is baked.
This is a creamy pudding is the ultimate comfort food dessert!
28. Raspberry Bûche de Noël
In spite of it’s elegant looks, this Raspberry Buche de Noel is simpler to make than you think!
This lighter version of Bûche de Noël features an airy Génoise cake rolled up with subtle orange-flavored mascarpone filling with fresh raspberries.
Every French table will have this beautiful dessert on it for Christmas. Now you can too!
Get the Recipe @ pardonyourfrench
29. Melomakarona Honey and Walnut Biscuits
These Melomakarona Honey and Walnut Biscuits are traditional Greek biscuits that are bursting with delicious flavors.
To make this Greek treat at home, you’ll need olive oil, honey, almond flour, gluten free flour, spices, sugar and orange juice. Top your biscuits with crushed walnuts for a nice crunchy texture.
Try this gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free delicious Mediterranean recipe. It’s a winner!
Get the Recipe @ createcookshare
30. Amaretti Cookies
Amaretti Cookies are a classic Italian cookie that are simply divine! Made with egg whites, sugar, almond flour and almond extract, they are also gluten-free.
These easy to make cookies are amazingly crisp on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside. They are also quick to make: 20 minutes to prep and 20-25 minutes to cook. Sprinkle the cooled cookies with powdered sugar and enjoy!
This delightful Mediterranean dessert is perfect for holidays but easy enough to make anytime.
Get the Recipe @ simplyhomecooked
We hope you enjoyed this list of Mediterranean Desserts. There’s so many yummy recipes to choose from!
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Mediterranean Recipes
Italian Desserts
Greek Desserts
French Desserts
Asian Desserts
Japanese Desserts
Indian Desserts
Mexican Desserts
Filipino Desserts
30 BEST Mediterranean Desserts
This collection of amazing Mediterranean Desserts includes thirty incredibly delicious sweets to complete your meal.
Ingredients
- ingredients vary by recipes
Instructions
- pick a recipe that looks good
- gather ingredients
- make your new favorite Mediterranean dessert!
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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