Top traditional Greek desserts

Top traditional Greek desserts

Enjoy the best of Greek desserts without travelling thousands of miles to satisfy your sweet tooth! 

Homemade Greek traditional melomakarona
Homemade greek traditional melomakarona/ iStock

Do you have a sweet tooth or just love dessert? Then these Greek deserts are a must-try. 

Ending your meal with dessert can be the difference between a dull or great lunch or dinner. Because dessert is eaten at the end of the meal, it leaves a sweet taste in the mouth. However, choosing the right type of dessert can make all the difference. 

Melomakarona

Greece has given the world some of the most popular desserts, with melomakarona topping the list. 

If you want nutty and spicy cookies, melomakarona is your best choice! Dipping them in honey or syrup gives them a sweet flavour. 

The cookies are dairy and egg-free, making them the perfect choice for vegans.

They are also easy to make and quick to bake.

Be warned, melomakarona is highly addictive! 

READ: Weird food combo: Mac and cheese with sugar

via GIPHY

Galaktoboureko

Galaktoboureko is a classic Greek dessert - a popular choice for a wedding or party dish. 

It is a golden brown crispy phyllo sprinkled with melted butter, making it both crunchy and soft. 

It is then drenched in aromatic syrup to give it that extra sweetness. 

What's amazing about this dessert is that it can be enjoyed hot or cold. 

READ: This crème brûlée French toast recipe is addictive

via GIPHY

Greek Baklava

The Greek Baklava is sweet and nutty. 

It originally dates back to the 18th century, but to date, it still remains a hit. 

According to the Greek Reporter, historians claim that the baklava recipe has its roots in Ancient Greece, 'where they made the gastrin, a sweet very similar to the current baklava'.

The key ingredients are honey syrup, ground almonds, ground walnuts, cinnamon, ground clove powder, unsalted butter and phyllo pastry. 

Tip - For the best result, use Greek honey for the syrup.

The nuts give the dessert a nutty flavour, while the cinnamon gives it a rich spicy taste. 

There are also white chocolate baklava cigars. Scrumptious - that's the best way to describe them. 

They have that name because they are shaped like cigars. 

This sweet treat is reportedly originally from Turkey, Greece and the Middle East. 

The white chocolate baklava cigars are made of thin layers of phyllo filled with pistachios and white chocolate. After being baked, they are soaked in syrup. 

They are also called the Saragli. 

This dessert will satisfy your sweet cravings! 

READ: Would you eat this stinky fart leaf cake?

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

Koulourakia Ladiou

The Koulourakia Ladiou are classic Greek biscuits. 

Whether you enjoy them in your private space or feature them on your menu for events, the Koulourakia Ladiou are a hit.  

They are also popular amongst vegans and during the Lent fast because they are not made with butter, dairy or eggs, just olive oil.

These biscuits are very delicious and have a rich flavour. One key ingredient is orange juice, which gives the cookies a citrus flavour. 

The cookies also have a spicy flavour because they are made with cinnamon. To make them even more scrumptious, you can add sesame seeds and walnuts.

The cookies are light and tender. 

You can enjoy them with any type of hot or cold beverage, but they are enjoyed with a cup of Greek coffee. 

READ: Lekker banana dessert recipe

Taste of Global: Experience tastes from around the world

From Monday, February 24, we're launching something truly special on 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', brought to you by FNB Private. 

Welcome to Taste of Global – an eight-week culinary journey that brings global cuisine to our studio and your airwaves.

Taste of Global: Experience tastes from around the world

Each week, from Monday to Thursday, we'll explore the flavours, traditions, and stories behind some of the world's most iconic dishes. 

A featured country will take centre stage every week, with a chef, cook, or flavour maestro joining us to showcase their nation's signature cuisine.

These countries include:

  • South Korea

  • Mozambique

  • Italy

  • Ghana

  • Greece

  • Botswana

  • United Kingdom

  • India


Listen to Jacaranda FM: 

Follow us on social media:

Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 – 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.

More From Jacaranda FM


Show's Stories