Turkish Desserts – 9 Popular Desserts of Turkish Cuisine
Traditional Turkish sweets are a delightful part of Turkish cuisine, often enjoyed as desserts, treats, or gifts. Turkish cuisine boasts a rich array of delicious sweets and desserts. From delicate pastries to syrup-soaked treats, here are some traditional Turkish sweets worth trying.
Turkish Desserts
Turkey is known for its diverse and delicious desserts, and several cities have gained fame for their unique sweet specialties.
Gaziantep: Gaziantep, located in southeastern Turkey, is often referred to as the “culinary capital” of the country. It is famous for its rich and flavorful desserts. Some of the most well-known Gaziantep desserts include baklava, katmer (a flaky pastry filled with pistachios), Kunefe (a shredded pastry with melted cheese and syrup), and a wide variety of traditional Turkish delights.
Hatay Kunefe: Hatay, a province located in southern Turkey, is known for its distinctive version of this sweet treat. Hatay Kunefe is made with the same basic ingredients as traditional Kunefe but has its own unique twist. Hatay Kunefe is typically served warm, and it is common to top it with crushed pistachios or other nuts for added texture and flavor. It is a beloved dessert in Hatay and is often enjoyed on special occasions or as a delightful treat at local dessert shops and restaurants.
If you have the opportunity to try Hatay Kunefe, you can savor the unique combination of the crispy kadayıf, the creamy and tangy Hatay Peyniri cheese, and the sweet syrup, resulting in a truly delightful and indulgent Turkish dessert experience.
Popular Desserts in Turkey
Turkish Delight (Lokum): Turkish delight, or “lokum,” is perhaps the most well-known Turkish sweet worldwide. It is a gel-like confection made from sugar, cornstarch, water, and various flavorings such as rosewater, lemon, orange, pistachio, or hazelnut. Turkish delight comes in a variety of colors and flavors, and it is often dusted with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. The texture is soft, chewy, and slightly sticky. It is a popular treat to enjoy with a cup of Turkish tea.
Baklava: Baklava is a rich and sweet pastry made of layers of thin filo dough filled with a mixture of finely chopped nuts, such as pistachios, walnuts, or almonds, and sweetened with a syrup made from honey or sugar. The layers of filo dough are brushed with butter or oil, baked until golden and crisp, and then soaked in the syrup. Baklava has a crispy exterior and a moist, nutty interior, making it a decadent dessert enjoyed on special occasions.
Kunefe: Kunefe is a warm and gooey dessert made with shredded pastry (kadayıf) layered with melted cheese, typically a soft, unsalted variety like mozzarella. The pastry and cheese are baked until golden and crispy, and then soaked in a sweet syrup flavored with rose or orange blossom water. It is often served with a dollop of clotted cream (kaymak) on top.
Sutlac: Sutlac is a classic Turkish rice pudding made from rice, milk, sugar, and flavored with vanilla or rosewater. The ingredients are slowly cooked until the rice is tender and the mixture thickens. Sutlac is usually served chilled, with a sprinkling of cinnamon on top.
Cezerye: Cezerye is a traditional Turkish sweet made from carrots, sugar, and nuts. Grated carrots are cooked with sugar until soft and caramelized, then mixed with finely chopped nuts, such as walnuts or hazelnuts. The mixture is shaped into small rectangular or cylindrical pieces and left to cool and set. Cezerye has a soft and chewy texture, with a sweet and nutty flavor. It is often enjoyed as a sweet snack or served as a dessert.
Revani: Revani is a traditional Turkish semolina cake soaked in a sweet syrup. It is made from a mixture of semolina, sugar, eggs, flour, butter, and yogurt, with the addition of lemon zest or orange blossom water for flavor. The cake is baked until golden and then soaked in a citrus-flavored syrup, which gives it a moist and sweet taste. Revani is often served in small diamond-shaped pieces and garnished with nuts or shredded coconut.
Gullac: Gullac is a unique dessert made from layers of thin, starch-based pastry sheets soaked in sweetened milk and rosewater. It is often filled with nuts, such as pistachios or walnuts, and garnished with pomegranate seeds. Gullac is a popular treat during the holy month of Ramadan.
Lokma: Lokma, also known as “Turkish donuts” or “fried dough balls,” are small deep-fried dough balls soaked in a sweet syrup. They are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and often sprinkled with powdered sugar or cinnamon.
Asure: (Turkish name Aşure) Asure, also known as “Noah’s Pudding,” is a special dessert made with a mixture of grains, legumes, dried fruits, and nuts. It is traditionally prepared during the month of Muharram and is considered a symbol of sharing and generosity.
These are just a few examples of the many delightful traditional Turkish sweets available.
