Have you ever tried any Turkish desserts? You have probably tasted baklava, but there are a lot more sweets you have to try! We made a list of our favorites for you. All are easy recipes that are satisfying for your sweet tooth.
Here, we are bringing the yummiest sweets from Turkey to your kitchen. From candies and cookies to puddings and syrup desserts, there is something for everyone - guaranteed!
You can find a dessert for every occasion in Turkish cuisine. We can put them under the following categories: Puddings, phyllo pastries, cakes and cookies, halva, candies and fruit desserts.
Want to learn how to make a Turkish dessert at home? If you don’t have a chance to travel to Turkey soon, check out our most popular Turkish dessert recipes in the list below. All are homemade and foolproof.
Pick A Recipe To Try
This is a collection of our dessert recipes from Turkish cuisine. All of them are homemade and easy to follow. Pick your favorite from the list and give it a try!
Easy Turkish Baklava Recipe
Baklava is a world-famous Turkish dessert that is made with layers of phyllo dough, butter, nuts and a sweet syrup. It is the perfect treat for many special occasions including weddings and birthdays.
Traditional baklava in Turkey is made with handmade phyllo sheets. There are many baklava variations like walnut baklava, pistachio baklava, clotted cream baklava, dry baklava, etc.
What makes this specific recipe so amazing is that we use store-bought phyllo sheets to help you save time and a lot of effort! And we use ground walnuts in the filling and ground pistachios on the top.
And, to get that ultimate crispy texture, we finished our baklava off with delicious lemony sugar syrup. The lemon helps give the syrup that perfect consistency that makes the baklava nice and crispy.
As Turks, we love to enjoy our baklava with a glass of nicely brewed Turkish tea.
Baklava Recipe From Scratch
This is an authentic Turkish baklava recipe also known as ev baklavasi, meaning homemade or handmade baklava. The phyllo sheets are made from scratch.
For this walnut baklava, you will need to make thin sheets of phyllo dough – the thinner the better! It will give you the best possible texture once you have poured over the sweet sherbet. This is the Turkish dessert that is made at traditional homes during religious holidays known as bayrams and served to guests.
The most famous baklavas are found in the city of Gaziantep, located in the south of Turkey. The baklava masters are mostly from this city. They are the best at making the thinnest phyllo sheets. Also, they use a generous amount of ground pistachios.
If you happen to visit Turkey one day, you should discover Istanbul dessert places too. Some of them are selling Gaziantep style baklava there. The best baklava in Istanbul can be bought from stores like Karaköy Güllüoğlu and Hafız Mustafa 1864.
If you love filo desserts, you can also check out our filo dessert with walnuts and tahini. They are much quicker to make and equally delicious!
Turkish Kunefe Sweet Cheese Pastry
This famous Turkish dessert is made using Kunefe cheese, kadayif noodles, a delicious sugar syrup, and lastly, some ground pistachios for more texture.
It is extremely famous in the cuisines of the Middle East and each region has a unique twist on it. One thing all the variants have in common though is that Kunefe is arguably the closest rival to baklava!
This delicious Turkish dessert has an incredibly well-balanced flavor that isn't too salty from the cheese or too sweet from the syrup. It also has an incredible crunchy texture thanks to the kadayif noodles.
Kunefe cheese is a special type of cheese from Antakya, another city in the south of Turkey, but, you can also use mozzarella instead.
Pistachio Kadaif (Kadayif)
Kadayif is one of the most popular syrup-based desserts in Turkey, but not as famous around the world as baklava or kunefe. It is equally delicious, so we think it deserves a lot more value.
Kadayif noodles are a type of shredded phyllo dough that is often used in many other Turkish pastries. This kadayif recipe is made using these noodles, pistachio nuts and some sweet syrup.
Not a lot of people know the difference between kadayif vs kunefe. It is actually pretty simple; kadayif dessert is made without cheese and baked in the oven.
Turkish Tulumba Dessert
Tulumba dessert or tulumba tatlısı as we say in Turkish is actually one of the oldest desserts in Turkey that have been made since the Ottoman Empire!
It is another delicious Turkish sweet pastry that consists of only two elements; crispy fried dough and a sweet syrup. This combination gives you a pastry that is crunchy on the outside while soft, fluffy, and juicy on the inside.
And if you are wondering how to make tulumba dessert, it is actually incredibly easy! Once you have made and fried the dough balls, all you have to do is leave them in the syrup for a while! Go check out our tulumba recipe!
Turkish Lokma
Lokma is an incredibly easy Turkish dessert! Like Tulumba, it is also considered to be part of the Ottoman desserts era. It is mostly served at special occasions like funerals, weddings, and even openings of businesses.
You will find these tasty Turkish treats on nearly every corner from street vendors, at restaurants, and at your local grocery store.
This lokma recipe is exceptionally tasty if we must say so ourselves. These sweet dough balls are fried in oil, then soaked in a delicious sugar syrup. They should be very crispy when bitten into and have a soft juicy texture on the inside.
But be aware! These are so good you won’t even realize you’ve finished an entire batch on your own!
Homemade Turkish Delight Lokum Recipe
Turkish candy has always been very popular around the world, but none have reached fame like these Turkish treats, also called Lokum.
And did you ever think you would be able to make it at home? Turkish delight is tricky, but once you have figured out exactly how to make them by following our steps exactly, they are a breeze! You can serve them alongside a delicious cup of Turkish coffee.
There are also different flavors (like rose water, lemon, orange, mint, and pistachios) that you can buy, or even make yourself.
These sweets are easy to ship from Turkey and some of the best Turkish delight brands include Hacı Bekir and Hafız Mustafa.
Turkish Baked Rice Pudding Recipe
Turkish rice pudding, milk pudding, or more commonly known as fırın sütlaç is one of those super easy Turkish dessert recipes.
This dessert is made with only 5 ingredients; rice and water, milk or heavy cream (optional), corn starch, and some sugar. And, what makes this recipe even better is that you can use a wide range of substitutes.
This is already a gluten-free dessert, but you can also make it vegan by substituting the milk with coconut milk. You can also use rice flour instead of cornstarch and brown sugar to add a more caramel-like flavor.
Two other Turkish puddings are chicken breast pudding also known as tavuk göğsü and kazandibi.
Keşkül Recipe
This delicious pudding is considered to be a Turkish milk dessert. It is an incredibly quick and easy creamy pudding made with milk, rice flour, cornstarch and almonds. You can garnish it using ground pistachios and whole almonds.
Instead of the milk and cream, use alternative milk like coconut milk (and cream) or even nut milk. This will give you many different flavor profiles that you can par with the rest of your menu.
Turkish Asure Recipe
Aşure is one of the oldest desserts in the world. In stories, it is told that the recipe was created on Noah’s ark with the remaining ingredients after its epic journey to Mount Ararat to save the human race.
Noah’s pudding is one of the Muslim desserts that has been made in large amounts during the month of Muharram since Ottoman times. It is shared with neighbours to spread peace and love.
Aşure recipe is a pudding or porridge-like dessert made with healthy ingredients like grains, legumes, nuts and fresh or dried fruit.
You can garnish this dessert with dry fruits including dried fig or dried apricot.
Gullac Recipe
These Islamic sweets are made during the month of Ramadan and boast delicious sweet and nutty flavors!
And, this is one of the quickest and easiest Turkish desserts recipes to make. All you have to do is heat the milk and sugar (you can add rose water if you’d like) and set it inside a gullac sheet. The dessert will then be set and can be enjoyed for up to a week!
Spiced Poached Quinces Dessert
Also known as ayva tatlisi in Turkish, this is a fruit dessert that definitely uses the natural and aromatic flavors of the quince fruit. Paired with delicious spices like cinnamon, star anise, and orange zest, you have a beautifully balanced poached dessert that will pair well with many accompaniments.
Easy Turkish desserts like these are great for late-night cravings or unplanned visits from the family! You can make this simple dessert in roughly an hour and it actually only takes 10 minutes to prepare.
Turkish Pumpkin Dessert With Tahini
This is an incredibly popular Turkish dessert during pumpkin season. Kabak tatlisi, as it is known in Turkish, is near the top of our easy Turkish desserts list and can be made in under an hour.
To make these delicious snacks, simply soak pumpkin in sugar overnight and cook them the next day. Once they have been cooked and cooled, they can be served with some tahini and crushed nuts.
Also try: Crunchy Pumpkin Candy Recipe.
Semolina cake is one of the most popular Turkish cakes you can find – it’s one of the classic Turkish desserts that you have to try!
This semolina cake uses a delicious lemon-flavored sugar syrup to help add moisture and a refreshing flavor to the otherwise possibly dry cake. Orange blossom water (optional) is also added alongside the lemon.
Homemade Elastic Turkish Ice Cream
Also known as maraş ice cream, it is made with simple ingredients including milk, sugar, vanilla, and salep powder. This powder is a natural thickening agent used in a lot of Turkish dessert recipes.
You can also use goat milk instead of regular milk. For a vegan recipe, use plant-based milk like almond or macadamia milk.
This maras ice cream recipe is eaten “kesme dondurma” which means you have to cut or slice it when eating. This makes it a very fun and interactive dessert that the kids will also enjoy!
Also try: Lemon Ice Cream Recipe.
Crunchy Sesame Candy
Almost everyone remembers these Turkish candies from their childhood! They are super crunchy, extremely nutty, and just plain delicious!
And the best part is that you only need two ingredients to make them! Simply melt together the sugar and sesame seeds, spread them over a non-stick tray or pan and allow them to set. As easy as that!
These Turkish treats are a staple in most homes but are especially served during Eid. You can also store these in a cool dry place – if you don't finish the entire batch in one sitting!
Turkish Tahini Sesame Cookies
These Turkish cookies are some of the best easy Turkish desserts you can make especially considering how hard they are to buy.
They are made using a tahini-based dough and are completely covered in sesame seeds. The cookies have an incredibly complex flavor profile and boast full of nutty and sweet flavors.
All of the ingredients are very easy to find and you can whip up this Turkish pastry in less than an hour. These cookies will keep great in a cool dark place for up to a month, or they can be frozen for up to 3 months!
Also try: Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Turkish Apple Cinnamon Cookies
These Turkish cookies also referred to as elmali kurabiye in Turkish, are very similar to Jewish rugelach cookies.
They are a true classic Turkish pastry that is packed with delicious fall spices. Every bite you take starts with a crunch after which the delicious apple filling melts in your mouth.
These cookies also pair extremely well with authentic Turkish Chai and are often served at bazaars and celebrations.
Turkish Shortbread Cookies
These are known as un kurabiyesi in Turkish. They are made with a few simple ingredients like flour, cornstarch, butter and sugar. These are probably the most popular Turkish cookies as you can find them at any pastry shop.
Turkish shortbread cookies are what we as Turks know as cookies, kurabiye. Although the ratio of flour and cornstarch might change in recipes, the main feature of these cookies is that they should melt in your mouth but shouldn’t be too greasy. And they are served with a generous amount of powdered sugar on the top.
Tahini Cookies Vegan
Believe it or not, but these Turkish cookies are completely vegan! You don’t need any butter, eggs, or milk! And no, this doesn’t mean you need a ton of other vegan ingredients.
For this Turkish pastry, all you need are 4 basic ingredients; flour, powdered sugar, tahini, and olive oil. And, they are also incredibly easy to make! Combine the ingredients, roll them into mini balls and bake them for 20 minutes!
We love easy Turkish desserts like these, especially when you can also make them in advance and store them for later!
Sekerpare Recipe
If you have never heard of this dessert in Turkey, don’t worry because while it is incredibly popular, it isn’t that well-known across the globe.
These are essentially semolina cookies and are made from basic cookie ingredients. The lemony syrup however is what makes them uniquely sweet syrup cookies. It adds a ton of flavor and moisture to an otherwise relatively bland cookie.
We have also chosen to decorate ours with some hazelnuts, but you can use any type you want. It not only looks pretty but adds a crunchy texture.
Turkish Flour Halva Recipe
Turkish flour halva is the easiest Turkish sweet to make. It is different from tahini halva in the fact that it consists of a flour and butter base. It also contains some water and sugar for sweetness.
It is truly some of the best Turkish sweets you can make as you probably already have the ingredients in your pantry, it is very easy to make and can be whipped up in less than 20 minutes.
These are mostly made on occasions like funerals or weddings, but also make the perfect late-night snack!
Semolina Halva with Currants
It is another type of halva dessert from Turkey. The cooking method is almost the same as flour halva. Semolina is cooked in butter (or oil) until it has a nice smell and a golden color. And then sugar and water (or a combination of water and milk) are added.
Traditional semolina halva is mostly made with pine nuts, but you can use walnuts or even small raisins called currants too.
This is known as a grandma style dessert but it is modernized in Turkey these days. You can see street vendors in some cities selling semolina halva filled with ice cream, dondurmalı irmik helvası as we say in Turkish.
Baked Tahini Halva
Tahini halva is more specifically served during the colder winter months and can be served alongside some sweet bread. It has many variations but is always sweet and nutty with a crumbly texture.
This baked version takes the regular tahini halva to a whole new level. It gets perfectly smooth and creamy when baked. It is a delicious Turkish dessert served after fish dishes at fish restaurants.
We add some lemon juice to help balance out the flavor as well as pistachio for a nice crunchy garnish.
Unripe Fig Jam
As you may know, there are a ton of Turkish jams out there, but very few match this one made from green figs! This recipe is especially great when you have a bunch of unripe figs in your backyard!
It is more like a fruit dessert as the green figs are whole in the jam. Still you can use it on toasted bread, cakes or pancakes.
If you are into Turkish style jams, you should also have a look at our damson jam recipe.
Turkish Sweet Churros
Who doesn’t love this sweet street food? You will see that in Turkey they are actually referred to as halka tatlisi, which translates to circular dessert, referring to its shape.
Unlike Mexican churros that are made in straight lines, these are specifically made into circles before being fried. This is an incredibly cheap and easy dessert to make at home that uses a very basic dough as well.
And, to finish it off, the hot churros are tossed into a cold syrup that will allow them to better absorb the delicious lemony flavors. Now, you have a beautiful golden brown crunchy churro with a soft and juicy inside.
Marble Yogurt Bundt Cake
Mom's cake, which is what it is also known as, is the most popular cake in Turkey and for a very good reason. Not only is it another delicious Turkish cakes, but it also is absolutely mesmerizing.
This is what Turkish people call cake – it is very simple and served with no frosting. Making it marbled is optional, however, we think it makes it more interesting. And, you can make it with or without cocoa powder.
And if you are looking for something a bit more refreshing, then you have to try our lemon poppy seed cake too.
Turkish Boza
This is a fantastic Turkish winter treat! Boza is a type of street food that vendors sell in large containers.
It is essentially a fermented drink with a smoothie-like consistency. It is mainly made from bulgur, rice, and yeast. The addition of sugar helps balance out the flavors and creates a sweeter flavored drink.
Overall, it is a delicious sweet and tangy drink that can be garnished with some cinnamon and roasted chickpeas.
