10 Turkish Desserts You Must Try: A Sweet Journey Through Türkiye’s Best Sweets

You're bound to find a syrupy delight made for your sweet tooth in Türkiye's pastry shops and bakeries!Get ready to satisfy your cravings as we dive into a list of sweet, syrupy Turkish desserts you absolutely must try.The Turkish cuisine has a special place for Kadayıf. This dessert is often served on special occasions, such as Bayrams, and pairs wonderfully with Turkish coffee or tea.Ekmek Kadayıfı is made from a bread-like base soaked in syrup, typically topped with kaymak (Turkish clotted cream) to balance the sweetness. Variations in presentation may differ from place to place, but the richness remains. Another variant of Kadayıf is Tel Kadayıf.Tel Kadayıf consists of shredded wheat soaked in syrup made from sugar or honey. The word 'tel' means wire in Turkish, referring to the thin strands of wheat. It's usually layered with pistachios or walnuts, depending on preference.A close cousin to Ekmek Kadayıfı is Künefe, a crispy and gooey dessert made from Tel Kadayıf but with a twist—there’s a layer of soft cheese in the middle! Künefe is served hot, with its crispy exterior and creamy, stringy cheese filling. This treat originates from Antakya in the Hatay region, where the best versions can be found. They even produce a special cheese for it that is unsalted and unique to the region.Warning: The soft, melty texture might make you addicted!Ayva Tatlısı is a winter favorite, made from poached quinces sweetened with sugar and spices like cloves and cinnamon. It’s traditionally served with clotted cream or kaymak and sometimes topped with walnuts or pistachios.Baklava is a classic Turkish dessert made from layers of filo dough filled with either pistachios or walnuts, all soaked in syrup or honey. The crispy texture adds to its appeal.There are numerous variations of baklava—Bülbül Yuvasi, Sütlü Nuriye, Şöbiyet, and Dilber Dudağı are a few examples. For a lighter version, try Sütlü Nuriye, sweetened with milk instead of syrup.Tulumba is essentially fried dough drenched in syrup. Variations like Lokma and Halka are nearly identical, differing only in shape. You'll find these irresistible treats in pastry shops around Türkiye.A Turkish take on rice pudding, Fırın Sütlaç is a light, milk-based dessert. Baked in a clay dish, it’s made with rice, sugar, rice flour, and milk. There’s also a non-baked version of this dish, though the baked one is more famous.Kazandibi is a caramelized milk pudding with a darker, slightly burnt top—hence the name, which means 'bottom of the cauldron' in Turkish.Tavuk Göğsü is a milk pudding that contains finely shredded chicken breast (don’t worry, you won’t taste or smell the chicken!). The meat gives the dessert a stretchy texture, and it’s often served sprinkled with cinnamon.Want to surprise your kids? Sneak some protein into their dessert with this unusual but delicious treat!Aşure, or ashura, is a special dessert made only during certain times of the year, according to the Islamic calendar. It traditionally includes grains, dried fruits, and sugar, but recipes can vary. Aşure has become a symbol of sharing, with people often distributing it to neighbors during the holy month of Muharram.Helva, originally from the Middle East, has become a staple in Turkish cuisine. The most famous type is Tahin Helvası, made from sesame paste. Other variations include Semolina Helva, Flour Helva, and Kağıt Helva.For a fun twist, try making an ice cream sandwich with the thin layers of Kağıt Helva!

10 Turkish Desserts You Must Try: A Sweet Journey Through Türkiye’s Best Sweets

1. Ekmek Kadayıfı

2. Ayva Tatlısı

3. Baklava

4. Tulumba

5. Fırın Sütlaç

6. Kazandibi

7. Tavuk Göğsü

8. Aşure

9. Helva

Enjoy these mouth-watering Turkish desserts and be sure to add them to your list of must-try sweets when visiting Türkiye!

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