The Best Desserts in the World
Published on: April 26th, 2021
Last modified: December 28th, 2023
Some of us at Jacada have been known to have a sweet tooth. And we don’t like to limit ourselves to the desserts and treats that we find at home. So, after years of thorough and dedicated research, here are our top treats worth travelling to.
Alfajores, Argentina
The humble alfajor is a staple in Argentina and beyond. Typically made with indulgent dulce de leche sandwiched between two sweet cookies, there are now countless combinations and varieties. You can buy chocolate-coated versions, sugar-glazed versions, coconut ones and more. But our favourites are fresh alfajores de maicena, right from Buenos Aires bakery.
Baklava, Turkey
Crispy phyllo pastry layered with spiced nuts and drenched in sugar syrup and honey, Baklava might be the most indulgent sweet we know. In Turkey you’ll find different varieties infused with citrus, rose or other flavourings give you a perfect excuse to have more than one piece. Luckily for Baklava enthusiasts it’s easily found in many other destinations too, including Greece.
Gulab Jamun, India
Gulab Jamun are bite-sized balls of milk-based dough, fried slowly and then soaked in a spice-infused syrup. They’re one of the sweetest treats on this list, but the blend of cardamom and other flavours makes them far from sickly. You’ll find them all over India, usually garnished with nuts.
Cheesecake, Japan
Cheesecake might not seem like an exciting dessert to the well-travelled, but bear with us. Japanese cheesecake is known for being far lighter than its dense global counterparts. This fluffy delight will melt in your mouth – try out the matcha varieties for something a little different. Who knew green cake could be so good?
Malva pudding, South Africa
The origins of Malva pudding are subject to a lot of debate, but one thing’s for certain: it’s a South African classic now. The gooey, sweet cake is made with apricot jam and is often served with custard or vanilla ice cream. For another variant, try Cape brandy pudding, also known as Tipsy Tart.
Pavlova, Australia or New Zealand
For the most part historians agree that this sugary, creamy concoction was named for the iconic Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, but whether it was created in Australia or New Zealand has long been a point of contention between the two countries. Either way, we’d like seconds.
Tres Leches cake, Mexico
Tres Leches cake is a Mexican delight. What starts off as a typical sponge cake gets a very indulgent upgrade. It’s named very literally for the three types of ‘milk’ typically used to create it: cream, evaporated milk and condensed milk. Indulgence at its best.
