While Ukraine may not be at the top of every traveler’s bucket list, it’s actually a treasure trove of culinary delights. One of its most notable aspects is its incredibly diverse and mouthwatering dessert scene, boasting some of the world’s best sweet treats. Today, we’re excited to share our expertise with you by curating a list of 13 scrumptious Ukrainian desserts that are easy to make and sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Whether you’re looking for a change of pace from your usual dessert routine or just want to explore new flavors, this post is for you. Get ready to indulge in some sweet surprises as we take you on a journey through the world of Ukrainian sweets!
Syrnyky
Syrnyky, Ukraine’s first dessert on our list, is a versatile treat that can be enjoyed at any time of day. Many Ukrainians even enjoy it for breakfast! For those unfamiliar with this dessert, let me provide some context. Syrnyky is essentially a fried curd cheese pancake, reminiscent of the fluffy pancakes we’re familiar with, but made with rich and creamy curd cheese instead. To give these pancakes an extra touch of sweetness, they’re typically topped with jam, honey, and sugar.
As for texture, syrnyky pancakes are soft, yet still maintain a delicate crispness.
Old-Fashioned Honey Babka
Indulge in the classic charm of Ukrainian desserts by baking an old-fashioned honey babka cake. This sweet treat is essentially a rich honey-infused sponge topped with a generous dollop of cream cheese, resulting in a delightful harmony of flavors and textures.
What’s remarkable about this dessert is that despite its bold flavors, it remains surprisingly light and airy, thanks to the cake’s fluffy and moist consistency.
When done perfectly, the cake boasts a luxurious golden hue, making it a true showstopper.
Verhuny
In Ukraine, the festive season wouldn’t be complete without verhuny, a beloved Christmas treat that has been delighting families for generations. This traditional dessert is actually a type of cookie, made from kefir dough that’s surprisingly simple to prepare. The key to verhuny’s distinctive shape lies in cutting the dough into strips and then pulling them through a slit to form intricate knots.
After being fried to a crispy golden brown, these delicate treats are then dusted with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness. Whether you’re looking for a unique dessert to try during the holidays or simply want to experience a taste of Ukrainian culture, verhuny is sure to impress.
Nalysnyky
Nalysnyky, a Ukrainian dessert, shares similarities with syrnyky in that it’s made from a base of cottage cheese and raisins, or sometimes apple and cinnamon. The resulting treat resembles rolled-up pancakes, boasting a golden-brown color, fluffy texture, and sweet flavor profile. Unlike traditional pancake-making, the beauty of nalysnyky lies in its relaxed shape requirements – you don’t need to worry about achieving perfect rounds.
However, flipping them with finesse is crucial for a successful outcome. To elevate the experience, top your nalysnyky with a rich cream cheese mixture infused with vanilla extract and sugar, allowing the flavors to meld harmoniously.
Yabluchnyk
While Ukrainian desserts may share similarities with their American counterparts, some treats stand out as uniquely Eastern European. Yabluchnyk, the Ukrainian equivalent of apple pie, is a prime example. This delectable dessert’s simplicity is part of its charm, requiring only a handful of ingredients to bring it together. The basic components include sugar, flour, baking powder, apples, cinnamon, butter, cream, eggs, and salt.
The crowning glory of this sweet treat is the crunchy cinnamon and sugar topping that adds texture and depth to each bite.
Makivnyk
Makivnyk, a Ukrainian dessert, makes its appearance with a striking visual display. The vibrant orangy-brown crust of the rolls gives way to a monochromatic center, punctuated by a dramatic black swirl. This visually stunning treat is perfect for parties and special gatherings. But beyond its impressive looks, makivnyk also boasts a delightful taste profile – light, savory, and nutty. Its subtle flavors are sure to please even the most discerning palates.
Varenyky With Cottage Cheese Or Cherries
When it comes to Ukrainian cuisine, varenyky are an integral part of the culinary experience. While many might think of these dumplings as simply stuffed with potatoes or cabbage, the traditional dessert varieties – featuring cherry or cottage cheese fillings – offer a delightful twist on the classic recipe. In particular, filling the dumplings with cherries and topping them with sugar creates a sweet treat that’s surprisingly easy to prepare.
The tartness of the cherries is beautifully balanced by the sweetness of the sugar, while the potato and dough provide a savory foundation for the other ingredients to shine.
Ukrainian Christmas Cake
This Ukrainian Christmas cake recipe is a unique treat that’s not limited to just the holiday season. In fact, Ukrainians enjoy this sweet delight throughout the year, often serving it at special occasions. Known as perekladanets, the dessert requires some time and effort to prepare, but the end result is well worth the investment. The layers of dough, reminiscent of baklava, are a key feature of this recipe.
Each layer brings its own unique flavors to the table, with some containing dates and walnuts, while others showcase apricot, cinnamon, and sugar. With so many different textures and tastes at play, it’s no wonder this dessert is a favorite among Ukrainians.
Cheesecake Tarts
In Ukraine, a beloved treat is the delectable cheesecake tart, not only visually appealing but also boasting an irresistible flavor profile. What’s more, this sweet delight proves to be an ideal choice for those seeking a rapid and effortless recipe solution. With a mere seven ingredients required beyond toppings and fillings, these bite-sized marvels are surprisingly straightforward to prepare.
The cupcake-like appearance of each cheesecake is matched only by its tangy, sweet, and buttery essence, while the crust surrounding each treat introduces an innovative twist. As for creative freedom, the options for toppings abound, ranging from chocolate chips to jams, berries, and jellies – allowing you to personalize your experience.
Ukrainian Waffle Cake
If you’re passionate about indulgent desserts, you’ll adore this Ukrainian waffle cake recipe that yields a colossal treat. What sets it apart is its unique combination of key ingredients – butter, lemon juice, and condensed milk. This harmonious blend creates an extraordinary dessert with a tantalizing balance of tart and sweet flavors. The true showstopper, however, is the texture: the waffle is delightfully crunchy, much like traditional sugar waffles.
Pampushyky
In Ukraine, the festive season isn’t complete without the iconic Pampushyky desserts making an appearance. These delicious donuts are characterized by their soft, fluffy texture and sweet jam filling. What sets them apart is that they can be stuffed with a wide range of fillings to suit individual tastes.
From traditional options like cherries and apple jam to more unique choices such as poppy seeds and custard, the possibilities are endless.
For a truly decadent treat, we highly recommend trying a rose jam filling – its sweet and floral flavors are sure to impress.
To prepare Pampushyky, you can either bake or deep fry the donuts before dusting them with a generous helping of icing sugar.
Khrustyky
Indulge in the decadent delight that is khrustyky, a Ukrainian fried cookie dessert that will tantalize your taste buds. This sweet treat’s simplicity belies its rich flavor and satisfying texture. With a straightforward recipe that combines whipped cream, white sugar, eggs, salt, vanilla, and flour, you can whip up large batches in no time. The resulting cookies are transformed by the frying process into crispy golden morsels with a fluffy center.
To elevate their sweetness to new heights, a generous dusting of icing sugar is applied, creating a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.
Final Thoughts
With 13 Ukrainian desserts under our belt, we’ve explored a diverse range of sweet treats that are sure to impress. While many may seem familiar, each has been infused with a unique Ukrainian twist that sets them apart from their traditional counterparts. Whether you’re in the mood for something classic and sweet, crunchy and cookie-like, or perhaps something savory to round out your repertoire, this list has got you covered.
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.