Which desserts are your favorites & where to find them?

Enjoyed the Swedish fika video and I recognized all of those treats from our office fikas. I am not a fan of the dammsuggare (the green rolled sweets in the video).

In Sweden, my favorites are:
- Daim bars (similar to a Heath bar)
- Cardamom buns (kardemummabullar)
- Toscabit or Toscakaka (a tart with almonds and caramel)

In London
- the feta and honey cheesecake from the Honey & Co restaurant.
- I also stop at the Fabrique bakery to get a Swedish cardamom bun

My new favorite is avocado ice cream in Mexico, with its smooth and creamy texture.

Second is the crunchy texture of Chocolate Crocante from Lucciano's in Valencia.

Both are new favorites this year! One scoop of each might be my dream dessert.

I love German
Apple Strudel
French
Creme Brule
American
Pecan Pie
Latin America
Dulce de Leche
Italy
Gelato

Sandancisco, you're killing me! First, you send me all of these, and now you're adding to the list by having others add more, lol! I will need to walk 20 miles a day to work off the calories from these!

So be it. Here are some faves of mine...

I still remember an apricot cream pastry that I had at Cakenhagen inside Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. It was delectable and one of the most beautiful things I've ever eaten.

I also love anything with apples; especially apple strudel in Germany and apple tarts in the Netherlands.

The decadent Butter Cake I had in Amsterdam was to die for.

Edit: I forgot to mention Papanași, which are traditional Romanian fried yeast or cake doughnuts made from a dough of soft cheese, flour, and eggs, and served warm with sour cream and fruit compote (often blueberry or cherry). It was wonderful!

But I have to say that one of my top favorites is Sticky Toffee Pudding in the UK. I drool over that!

Handsdown without question nor exception it is pecan pie. And don't church it up.

I don’t do desserts all that often I tend to prefer a candy bar in the evening, but in London there is a stall at Borough Market that does lemon curd tarts. Mmmmm

I do like black licorice and there is Wirled, also at Borough Market, and they have black licorice fudge. But then I do like all their fudge options.

From Iceland I do like Eill Sett Liquorice bars and Goa Bingo Liquorice balls.

From Prague I Iiked the Deli Pistachio candy bars.

Thankfully these days its so easy to find something new and order it.

Melon--Cavaillon, Provence; try cubed with Muscat 'Beaumes de Venise' sweet wine
Ras malai (not the boxed kind)--India
Panforte--Siena
Chudleighs pumpkin pie--Toronto
Gelato misc--Noto or Polignano
Paris-Brest pastry--Tours or frankly anywhere
Honey-- *Jarrah (West Australia), Tawari or Manuka (NZ)
Acai sorbet--Brazil
Coconut drops--(Jamaica) *never was there a more successful contribution to our staff parties
Apple pie--Ukraine
Rice pudding--misc.
Fresh pineapple--Hawaii

I am done. the dentist

My all time favorite dessert anywhere is a vanilla flan I had at Hotel Rural 3 Cabos, a small and wonderful B&B along the northern coast of Spain.

Number 2 is Pret a Manger’s chocolate mousse, which is much easier to access since I love going anywhere in the British Isles. You might think a mass produced dessert is not worthy of this honor, but you would be wrong. LOL

Simple answer; Oreos.

Love the coconut cream pie at Phillipes in LA.

Favorite mixup is popcorn with Peanut M & M’s.

Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia.

I am going to sound like Mardee!

Papanaci from Romania and sticky toffee pudding - but only if it has the vanilla sauce (not whipped cream or ice cream).

I love ice cream and I make an effort to enjoy one (or a few) scoops in every new country/place I visit. Usually try a local flavor if available.

I like the basics.

Italy...Gelato of course.

Spain...Churros and chocolate

Belgium and Switzerland...Guess?

Germany...Black Forest Cake

Austria...Sachertorte

Netherlands...Stroopwafel

Hmmm, well, I will add my favorite "kind" of dessert! I am a huge fan of Cafe Gourmand in Paris. It's a small shot of espresso with 3 or 4 small servings of some kind of dessert along with. This way you can sample several desserts including sometimes their dessert of the day. Delicious!!

What a great thread!

I’ll add crème brûlée donuts at Borough Market in London. Not exactly a dessert, but a sweet like some others listed above.

And darn, I meant to have sticky toffee pudding but never got around to it on our week in London last August.

You might think a mass produced dessert is not worthy of this honor,...

I don't have problem with mass production, it's the cheaping out on ingredients to lower costs.

Yes, Pam! Another vote for Cafe Gourmand in Paris, and France in general. I particularly remember this indulgence in Reims and Beaune, and also in Quebec City at the Chateau Frontenac. I just have to clarify when people see the food pics that they really are small, not full size, dessert portions. Ha ha!

I'm with Mardee and TTM on Sticky Toffee Pudding with custard sauce. And, so far, Scotland has the edge over England.

Handsdown without question nor exception it is pecan pie. And don't church it up.

VAP, what does church it up mean? 😂

Number 2 is Pret a Manger’s chocolate mousse

Carroll, how could I have forgotten about Pret a Manger's chocolate mousse?!?! I love it!

I am going to sound like Mardee!

As it should be, TTM. 🤣🤣🤣. But I am with you on the vanilla sauce. 😉

I’ll add crème brûlée donuts at Borough Market in London.

And I forgot about those incredible donuts as well! It was SO good!

I'm with Mardee and TTM on Sticky Toffee Pudding with custard sauce. And, so far, Scotland has the edge over England.

I will agree with that, Jean. The best sticky toffee pudding I had was in Tobermory, Scotland, although I did have a pretty good one at a pub in Dartmoor National Park. But that's because they added Scottish Tablet to it. Oh, the richness!

VAP, what does church it up mean? 😂

It usually means polishing something that is otherwise plain. But pecan pie made with Karo is glorious in and of itself and is a Lilly that needs no gilding. It doesn't need anything like chocolate, bourbon, or chocolate bourbon -- it all just becomes too much noise, a clashing frequency, and the soul is lost. Give me traditional & unadulterated. Now hot pecan pie with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream is also glorious. ❤️😊

VAP, you talk my language, even to the point of rarely eating dessert. But pecan pie is at the top of my list, along with Jeni's salted caramel ice cream, dark chocolate brownies and the panna cotta I had at Osteria all'Inferno dal 1905 in La Spezia.

I really like Spagetti Eis during strawberry season in Germany, cause then they use fresh strawberries on it My favorite gelato cafe in Frankfurt makes really good ones because they make their own Gelato. Am partial to the dark chocolate and the hazelnut flavors.

Frankfurter Kranz - a specialty cake in Frankfurt, that is extra yummy because they use butter cream frosting, 3 layers of it.

I was happy to eat flan every day for 7 weeks walking across Spain on Camino. I never, ever get tired of it.

3-way tie between blueberry pie, peach cobbler, and pecan pie.

Almost any dessert with mangoes or blueberries in it.

OMG thanks everyone, there are so many new ones here I must try! Dare I ask if any of you manage to take any desserts home with you???

Laura - dammsuggare (the green rolled sweets in the video). Nope, not my favorite either. But when I take my next bike ride Toscabit or Toscakaka (a tart with almonds and caramel) is on my afternoon fika list. There's also a smaller one called 'Milanokaka, have you tried that one??

CWSocial - avocado ice cream in Mexico YUM. I wonder if we could find it in specialty ice cream places in the Bay Area?? Chocolate Crocante, OK, that's a new one, added to my list for Spain!

geovagriffith - GREAT list, I think German Apple Strudel is my all time fav but French Creme Brule comes in a close second!

Mardee -  Sandancisco, you're killing me! First, you send me all of these, and now you're adding to the list by having others add more, lol! I will need to walk 20 miles a day.  Hahahaha. The only reason this works for us, is we take a long walk in the mornings, and bike to & from fika when we have it in the afternoon. (Apparently this lowers blood sugars, but if it doesn't please don't tell me!)

An *apricot cream pastry** that I had at Cakenhagen inside Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. It was delectable. (I had an incredible variety of *Danish breakfast pastries** in Denmark, realized that's why they’re called ‘DANISH’ in the US! I had a friend who made sticky toffee pudding once a year, OMG it was amazing.)

Papanași, which are traditional Romanian fried yeast or cake doughnuts made from a dough of soft cheese, flour, and eggs, and served warm with sour cream and fruit compote (often blueberry or cherry) - OMG!

Carol - Pret a Manger’s chocolate mousse, nice to hear about a chain having such a fine dessert. favorite dessert anywhere is a *vanilla flan** I had at Hotel Rural 3 Cabos* - sounds amazing!

Claudia - thanks for the reminder about the American GREATS!

TTM - Papanaci from Romania and sticky toffee pudding - YUM. And you've just been to England so hope you had some sticky toffee pudding?!

Joy - I love *ice cream** and I make an effort to enjoy one (or a few) scoops in every new country/place I visit.* Ahhhh so true! And there are some secrets to finding the best ones in Italy, seem to recall it's avoid the places with heaping piles of ice cream?

Threadbare - Nothing wrong with the basics! You've hit on some of my favorites.

Pam - Cafe Gourmand in Paris. It's a *small shot of espresso** with 3 or 4 small servings of some kind of dessert along with.* Ohhh yum, and thanks for the reminder to have it served with excellent espresso!

Barbara N - And darn, I meant to have *sticky toffee pudding*** Well you’re just going to have to plan another trip?!

KC, Another vote for Cafe Gourmand in Paris, I've added it to my endless list of places to eat in Paris....

JeanM - I'm with Mardee and TTM on Sticky Toffee Pudding with custard sauce. And, so far, Scotland has the edge over England. OK, that sounds amazing!

YUM,  jphbucks, Hey loved your more global list - I was salivating reading it! Hey have you ever had Kopi coffee with Kaya toast in Singapore? Salted Caramel ice cream Yum, actually any quality dessert with salted caramel calls to me.

VAP - Lots of recommendations for pecan pie!! Thanks. I didn’t know what ‘Church it up’ meant either. I agree, many desserts just don’t need anything else, although German Apple Strudel NEEDS vanilla sauce. And thanks for the reminder about lemon curd tarts, lemon is an lesser though mighty hero among desserts.
I don't have problem with mass production, it's the cheaping out on ingredients to lower costs.

Agreed, there’s a very nice Copenhagen cafe in Burlingame CA, and nothing tastes as good as Sweden. Maybe it’s the butter??

Thanks again everyone, definitely time for a longer bike ride!

Hi there Ms Jo, thanks for adding **Spagetti Eis* during strawberry season in Germany.* Huh, how did I miss Frankfurter Krantz?? You may have noticed a preponderance of German Apple Strudel fans! Long ago, I had homemade Sweet Dampfnudel, just crispy around the edges, in the home of a Bavarian grandma, served with vanilla sauce. Everyone told me she made the best, and I can still close my eyes and taste it!

... along with Jeni's salted caramel ice cream.

Oh, I love Jeni's ice cream! I have one of her cookbooks and have made a few of her ice cream recipes before. They're not as good as the ones in the stores, but they're still pretty good.

Dare I ask if any of you manage to take any desserts home with you???

Sandancisco, I wish! I can barely get them back to my hotel without eating them. 😂

... along with Jeni's salted caramel ice cream.

Oh nooooo. Does this mean I can get it in the US?? I (try) to cut back on sugar while I'm there!

I wish! I can barely get them back to my hotel without eating them.

That's VERY funny Mardee, here's my trick - I buy all the chocolate the evening before, put in plastic containers and freeze them, that way when I leave in the morning, it's not the temptation it would otherwise be. The problem is getting them out of the house within one day, so I don't eat them upon arrival!

Oh, there are so many delectable sweets but I must agree with Sticky Toffee Pudding in Scotland. Another fabulous dessert is Pasteis de Nata in Portugal.

Suggestions on Sticky Toffee Pudding in London?

Oh gosh, Linda, I ate around 3 of those daily, walking through Portugal on Camino. We are lucky to have a Portuguese store here in Frankfurt that makes them onsite, but I forget to go over there. Super yummy. People wonder why I keep walking Caminos, and that is why.

For the Frankfurter Kranz, it is supposed to represent the crown for the Holy Roman Emperor, since Frankfurt was the coronation city so often. Covered in gold (crushed nougat), with diamond and rubies (whipped cream and cherries) on top. I saw something similar in Bamburg, but it wasn't made with butter cream frosting and it just said Kranz, which can mean either crown or wreath.

Absolutely apfel strudel in Germany and Austria. Although DH and I once argued over which was the better accompaniment- custard sauce or vanilla ice cream. The correct answer is custard sauce, of course.

But my favourite dessert ever in Austria would be the Salzburger Nockerl at the St Peters Stiftskulinarium (sp?). However you need at least 3-4 people to eat the whole thing.

And I would consider the whole trip a failure if I didn't have sticky toffee pudding while in England or Scotland. Although I wouldn't turn my nose up at a nice Spotted Dick either.

I love remembering our favorite desserts!

Strawberry Eton Mess at the Hereford Arms in London Kensington

Amorino Gelato London

Peach Melba at Les Palmiers in Villefranche sur Mer, France

Trevisseiro almond filled pastry roll with sprinkled sugar on top at the Pena Palace Cafe in Sintra, Portugal

Cannoli and gelato in Italy

Chocolate mousse anywhere but especially at Boheme Restaurant in Vienna, Cafe Kleber in Paris, Chequers in Cascais, Portugal

Hula Pie at Duke's Restaurant in Maui, Hawaii

Pbscd, Sticky Toffee Pudding is very widely available in London and is honestly quite hard to get too wrong.
As long as it has enough sauce to stay moist it will be good. I think the fact it reheats well is one of the reasons it is so commonly served in pubs and restaurants. As well as the fact it is delicious.

I did a google and this list looks like a good starting point.
https://www.theinfatuation.com/london/guides/best-sticky-toffee-puddings-london

For people who are self catering versions are on sale in most supermarkets. The ‘original’ Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding’ is available in some stores.

If you like this kind of sweet dessert Syrup Sponge is also worth trying. Steamed sponge soaking in golden syrup, yummy with custard or cream. Also my favourite Bread and Butter pudding.

Thank you, Emma! I'm going on my first proper London visit in just over a week (there was a night British Airways put us up in a hotel overnight coming home from Poland over 20 years ago, but that was hardly London vacation). Getting excited!

Oh, gosh, sticky toffee pudding. In truth my absolute favorite sweet treat, especially with whipped cream. And I didn't mention it. How can the Scots here ever forgive me?

Maybe if I tell you Irn-Bru (zero sugar for me) is my worldwide favorite soft drink? Am I forgiven?

Irn-Bru!! Yes!!! I was one of the very few on our tour of Scotland last year who liked it. Our driver always had a few bottles of it in the bus drinks chest. While the others sipped Scotch, I would indulge in an Irn Bru. At the end of the tour our guide sent DH and I on our way with several bottles. Ran out before we reached London.

Linda - Pasteis de Nata, YUM!! I looked it up, added to Portugal notes.

Ms Jo - I ate around 3 of those daily, walking through Portugal on Camino.
Now I understand why you’ve walked the Camino so often!

The explanation about Frankfurter Kranz was so interesting, thank you.

HOW did I forget about German Christmas stollen??

CJean - Absolutely *Apfel strudel** in Germany and Austria. Although DH and I once argued over which was the better accompaniment- custard sauce or vanilla ice cream. The correct answer is custard sauce, of course.* I agree completely, custard sauce!

But my favorite dessert ever in Austria would be the *Salzburger Nockerl** at the St Peters Stiftskulinarium (sp?).*

And I would consider the whole trip a failure if I didn't have sticky toffee pudding while in England .* I wonder how many of us would start a sentence 'I would consider the whole trip a failure if I didn't have XXX to eat in YYY country'?

Salzburg nocker - I’ve had this!! Forgot the name, it was delicious! And the envy of people at other tables….

Kay51 - OMG, adding these to my notes. Trevisseiro almond filled pastry roll with sprinkled sugar sounds like it might be my favorite though…

Emma - thanks for helping all of us out with the list for Sticky Pudding, added to my London notes.

pbscd - Have a wonderful trip to London!

My list of former favourite desserts is massive, however my new favourite is a 10g wedge of Gouda with 50g of berries followed by 10 squats and a 40 minute 2-mile walk. By cutting out all bread, pasta and refined sugar and following a programme of strategic exercise the past year I've lost 1,5 stone and 5cm about the waist and brought my Hb-a1c down from borderline T2D to borderline normal. And I'm over 70, so age isn't a barrier to getting fit. Just saying 😉

CJean, you speak my language!
A choice of custard sauce is always correct! Whatever the dessert item?

Salzburger Nockerl at the St Peters Stiftskulinarium (sp?). However you need at least 3-4 people to eat the whole thing.

Thank goodness there were 3 of us at the table!

And somehow I missed sticky toffee pudding my last trip to England. I am therefore deeming it a failure and planning a do-over! (I do have to add, I have had some mediocre - but when it’s good, it’s glorious!)

GPB - Well done!!! We seem to 'get away' with eating dessert in Sweden because of the long bike rides, but absolutely cheese minus the carbs is a much better idea.

TTM- And somehow I missed sticky toffee pudding my last trip to England. I am therefore deeming it a failure and planning a do-over Very funny, exactly my point about what makes a trip, for us in Italy it was finding a truly exceptional bowl of pasta (in our hotel of all places!)

I'm not much of a dessert eater, but I'm obsessed with Mango Sticky Rice (found in Cambodia and other SE Asian countries). The mangoes we get in North America are not nearly as good (and it's not just about freshness; it's actually a different variety), so I can't even try to duplicate it at home.

Güntherska is a great place in many ways, but there are other good options in Uppsala. Ofvandahls, Landings and Fågelsången e.g. in the central parts, and several others. And a bit further out, Leijon stenungsbageri, Bageri Brantingstorg and Kroasang to name a few.

A chokladbiskvi is rarely wrong, but if you want a more chocolaty version, try a Sarah Bernhardt, it's filled with chocolate truffle instead. I was a Landings yesterday to buy some bread, but managed to resist the temptation to buy a katalan (a mazarin, shortcrust pastry with an almond filling, with added raspberry topping), which they do well at Landings. I can also rarely say no to an arraksboll, another classic. And in early September you can buy a Gustav Adolfsbakelse in many places, which is an interesting tradition as there is no standard version and every café has their own.

Thanks! Oh yeah, I loved mango puddings, and forgot about coconut pudding.... yum.

By the way the Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding company also make Sticky Chocolate Pudding, Sticky Ginger Pudding and Sticky Banana Pudding.

isn31c - Wonderful! I just realized my friend the BA flight attendant keeps asking me what I want from the UK, hmmmm wonder if sticky toffee pudding is easy to transport??

One thing I love about first class on Avanti and LNER is their little pudding pots.

They are specifically made seasonally for the two companies by different local producers and are always very moreish.

On Avanti, with my early lunch today I had a Lemon Posset, and have just had a dark Chocolate and Ginger pot with what I guess you could call Afternoon tea on LNER.
Avanti are on the Spring menu, LNER still on winter.

I am a bit late to this one, and noticed that my favourite dessert, banoffee pie, has not been mentioned. A must-try if you are visiting Scotland. I actually think it's much better than sticky toffee pudding (personal preference!).

 isn31c, Yum, does sound "Moreish", (which I had to look up for us Yanks), it's "a British informal adjective, used to describe food or drink that is so palatable and tasty that it causes a desire for more, often in an addictive way."

Cat VH, thanks, added to my list!