Traditional Romanian sweets offer a delightful peek into the nation’s rich culinary history. From clever post-war chocolate fixes to intricate braided breads, these 25 recipes showcase ingenuity and flavor.
Get ready to explore Eastern Europe through decadent cakes and comforting pastries.
1. Romanian Homemade Chocolate
Conquering confectionery at home brings a smug sense of satisfaction along with delicious treats. This authentic recipe originates from an era of scarcity when locals had to get creative to satisfy sweet cravings.
You only need cocoa powder, sugar, powdered milk, and butter to create these dense, crumbly bars.
2. Pasca
This stunning braided bread usually takes center stage at Easter celebrations. A creamy mixture of ricotta, vanilla, and lemon fills the lightly sweetened dough ring.
Keep this masterpiece in the fridge rather than the freezer to preserve the filling’s texture.
3. Plum Coffee Cake
Summer plums shine brightest in this seasonal coffee crumb cake. Large fruit chunks dot the batter and release sweet juices throughout the baking process.
Feel free to swap in peaches, cherries, or berries if plums are unavailable.
4. Cozonac
Romanian holidays like Christmas and Easter are incomplete without this sweetened, flaky yeast bread. The loaf puffs up in the oven to create a soft and chewy texture.
Citrus zest brightens the dough while a rich blend of walnuts, cocoa, almonds, and orange extract creates a decadent filling.
5. Apple Pie Bars
Use this convenient shortcut when you crave apple pie flavors without the hassle of rolling out a round crust. This simple sheet cake features a buttery base topped with fresh apples, walnuts, raisins, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
It cuts easily into squares for a sweet and tart dessert.
6. Romanian Apple Cake
You might stop looking for other recipes after trying this simple yet deeply satisfying treat. Fruit packs every bite of the beautifully moist sponge.
Enjoy this coffee-time classic as a quick snack or warm it up with cream for an elegant finish.
7. Crepes
Mastering fluffy pancakes is a rite of passage for any home cook. This straightforward guide walks you through making tender homemade crepes from scratch.
Top them with maple syrup, chocolate sauce, fresh fruit, or ice cream for a customizable feast.
8. Romanian Cheese Donuts (Papanasi)
These sweet and savory delights are officially my new obsession. While traditional versions use Romanian cow’s milk cheese, this recipe successfully swaps in accessible cottage cheese.
Simply mix the cheese with flour, sugar, eggs, and rum before frying the dough into crispy golden rounds. Top them with plenty of crème fraîche and blueberry jam.
9. White Chocolate Apricot Rugelach (Cornulete cu gem)
Just reading about these white chocolate apricot treats makes my mouth water. A basic, sugar-free dough wraps around a rich center of fruity jam and white chocolate.
Bake these flaky bites until golden brown and finish them with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
10. Vargabéles
Adventurous foodies must try this creative sweet noodle pie. The recipe combines flaky filo pastry with wheat noodles, raisins, and sweet cheese for a unique textural experience.
Serve this soft dish warm as a dessert or even a sweet main course.
11. Filled Peach Cookies
European bakers across the continent adore these stunning little treats. A soft, crumbly shell encases a rich nutty dulce de leche filling.
They mimic the look of real fruit thanks to pink and green food coloring but contain no actual peaches.
12. Plum Dumplings
Sweet plums rest inside a potato-based dough in this traditional dish that resembles dessert gnocchi. You boil the dumplings briefly before rolling them in a sugary, buttery breading.
Locals often eat them cold with a dollop of sour cream.
13. Walnut Cookies
Dulce de leche coats these delicate shortbread bites for a truly dreamy finish. They make excellent gifts for the holidays or sophisticated treats for guests.
Of course, you can also hoard the entire batch for yourself.
14. Vanilla Crescent Cookies
These croissant-shaped delights feature flaky pastry stuffed with a rich nutty paste. A dusting of vanilla sugar finishes the treats, which are beloved across Austria, Germany, and Hungary.
The texture sits delightfully somewhere between cake and shortbread.
15. Romanian Baked Apple Rice Pudding
Hot puddings are essential for surviving cold winter evenings. Fresh fall fruit flavors this creamy, warming rice dish.
Simmering short-grain rice in milk before blending it with eggs and sugar creates a custard-like consistency perfect for layering with roasted apples.
16. Romanian Layered Lemon Cake
This delicately fruity teatime treat offers a light and moist texture. Thin sheets of flaky pastry stack with dreamy lemon buttercream to create a stunning dessert also known as snow-white cake.
The bright citrus flavor makes it perfect for summer gatherings.
17. Romanian Sweet Cheese Pies
Adding cheese to desserts guarantees a moist and mouth-watering result. These pillowy pies feature a creamy filling of cottage cheese, sugar, raisins, lemon zest, and vanilla.
Once you master the sweet version, try a savory take with fresh dill and feta.
18. Jam and Walnuts Rugelach Cookies
These crescent-shaped delights usually appear around the holidays but taste amazing all year long. You roll triangular sheets of sweet dough to create shapes resembling tiny croissants.
Fill them with any jam, nut butter, or chocolate sauce for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
19. Romanian Dessert Salami
Visuals can be deceiving, as this thick roll of chocolatey biscuits contains absolutely no meat. It slices just like a savory salami but delivers chewy, nutty sweetness in every bite.
This easy no-bake recipe includes a splash of rum, but you can omit it for kid-friendly snacking.
20. Chocolate Biscuit Cake
No-bake desserts are a lifesaver when summer heat makes turning on the oven impossible. This simple recipe yields a crunchy, nutty, chocolatey cake without the bake time.
You can roll the batter into a traditional log or spread it flat to slice into convenient squares.
21. Mucenici
Bakers traditionally prepare this flaky honey and walnut pastry in March for the feast of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. The braided yeast bread requires a little effort but rewards you with syrupy sweetness.
Clear instructions guide you through every step of the process.
22. Kürtőskalács
This unique dessert, often called chimney cake, features coiled dough formed into a towering stack. It tastes similar to brioche and boasts a sweet walnut cinnamon-sugar coating.
You can create this impressive wedding treat at home with just a rolling pin.
23. Romanian Chocolate Cake
Other desserts pale in comparison to this rich, dark masterpiece. Caramel syrup soaks into the cocoa-heavy sponge before a layer of thick, silky ganache seals the deal.
Add a swirl of whipped cream to finish this decadent showstopper.
24. Ricotta Cheesecake
This delicate pie offers a lighter, subtly sweet alternative to dense New York-style versions. It delivers smooth creaminess without an overpowering sugary taste.
The deceptively simple dessert tastes great on its own or with a handful of raisins.
25. Apples in Pajamas
Kids will rush to the kitchen when you announce this fun-named dessert. Thick fruit rounds take a dip in plain batter before hitting hot oil to achieve a crispy golden crust.
Older children can help with supervision before you sprinkle the warm treats with cinnamon sugar.