16 Tasty Hungarian Desserts That You Must Mandatorily Eat
Hungary is blessed with a wide array of desserts that mainly comprises pastries and cakes. They are indeed a sweet lover’s paradise with different textures and flavors ranging from smooth to flaky and cinnamony to nutty. A rich and smooth filling of túró cheese or fruit jams go in most of them, making them tastier. Much of the desserts like Rétes and Krémes are influenced by the Austrian cuisine of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Having a plate of these Hungarian desserts would be the best way to end your meal.
1. Meggyleves

Meggyleves is a sweet and sour summer delicacy made mainly with fresh sour cherries, sour cream, and sugar. Sometimes, spices like cinnamon and cloves also go into it to make it aromatic. Besides enjoying it chilled as a dessert item, Hungarians usually serve it as an appetizer or soup before the main course. It has a light and creamy texture with a tart and slightly sweet taste bursting into the mouth with every bite.
2. Somlói Galuska

The dessert’s name may translate into somló dumplings, but it is actually a trifle-like dessert. It comprises layers of a delicate sponge cake and custard cream, dotted with rum-soaked raisins and finally drizzled with whipped cream and chocolate sauce on top. The creamy and flavorful sweet treat was initially created at Budapest’s popular Gundel restaurant and has become widespread ever since.
3. Esterházy Torta

Esterházy Torta is a popular mouthwatering dessert, named after Prince Paul III Anton Esterházy de Galántha who was a member of the well-known Esterházy dynasty. Budapest confectioners initially created it in the late 19th century and gained popularity instantly. The sweet delicacy typically comprises vanilla or cognac flavored buttercream spread between each of the four layers of almond meringue cake. A combination of fondant glaze and melted chocolate decorated in a characteristic striped pattern on top makes it more attractive. Many modern Hungarian versions replace the use of almonds with walnuts. The cake is enriched by sprinkles of ground walnuts and then refrigerated to serve chilled. Rich, creamy, and nutty, just a small slice is enough to satisfy your palette.
4. Kalács

Kalács is a Hungarian sweet bread prepared from a dough made with flour, eggs, milk, butter, yeast, and sugar and sometimes spiced with cinnamon. It is braided and baked in a brick oven until it turns golden brown and puffy. It is a typical treat found in every Hungarian household, particularly during Easter. Not overly sweet, it has a buttery and slightly spicy taste.
5. Mákos Bejgli

Mákos Bejgli is a traditional poppy seed pastry roll often served during special occasions like Christmas and Easter. It is prepared from a yeast dough shaped into thin rectangular pieces, stuffed with a sweet poppy filling, and shaped into cylinder rolls. An egg yolk mixture is brushed over it before placing it into the oven. After baking and attaining a golden brown color, it is sliced and served at room temperature. In other Hungarian versions, the stuffing contains walnuts instead of poppy seeds. The sweet and nutty flavors of the filling contrast perfectly with the savory pastry roll. Read More…