Around The World In 10 Nirvana Inducing Desserts

Disclaimer: A napkin is advised for these desserts, as you may begin drooling over your keyboard.

Reason #987 to travel: dessert! Traveling is the perfect way to explore different cuisines and tastes, and for sweet tooth’s like me, there’s nothing better than experiencing new sugary treats. Below is a list of some of my all time favorites:

1. Spain: The chocolate croissant

To be brutally honest, the croissants in the U.S. make me want to curse them off the planet. While I’ll never order a croissant in the states, the chocolate croissants are to die for in Spain (and of course, France). My first encounter was in Barcelona, where I fell in love. Perfectly baked, ultra light croissant plus a huge chunk of chocolate inside? I think yes.

2. The Netherlands: Stroopwafel

Ooey, gooey, caramel-ly, and chewy, stroopwafel is the sweet tooth’s worst foe. Imagine soft and chewy caramel sandwiched between two ultra-thin cookie-like waffles and boom, you’ve got this simply sweet Dutch favorite. Bet ya can’t eat just one. No really, it’s impossible.

3. Argentina: Dulce de leche

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Right beside Nutella on the list of things I’d like to spread on virtually everything is dulce de leche. This Argentinian staple is my liquid gold. Smooth with a caramel aroma, the spread is rich with a creamy texture. Spread it on toast, cookies, or eat it right out of the jar. And don’t ever look back.

4. Japan: Mochi

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Soft, pillowy, and delicate, mochi are little balls of happiness. Made with glutinous rice flour, fresh mochi have a delicate and smooth texture. Filled with everything from mango to green tea to ice cream (my fav!), you’re bound to find the perfect one for you. If I could replace all my pillows with oversized mochi desserts, I most certainly would.

5. Italy: Gelato

Milan Italy — Gelato at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan. Photo: Kaitlyn Rosati

When your favorite food is ice-cream (not sorry), a trip to Italy is like attaining enlightenment. Gelato is ice-cream’s more dense and flavorful cousin, and when in Italy, it’s even better, fresher, and creamier. There are hundreds of flavors, and no, you can’t get sick of it.

6. Portugal: Pasteis de Nata

One word: dangerous. On a trip to Lisbon, my traveling buddy and I nommed on at least one of these babies a day. Similar to the “dan-tat” of Chinese dim sum, these little desserts have a thick, chewy custard middle, surrounded by what seems to be a thousand micro layers of flaky crust.

7. China: Mango Pomelo Sago

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Compared to others, the Chinese have a relatively light sweet tooth. You can count on them for the lighter desserts, which is a nice change of pace from the heavy cream and cake. This dish is from Hong Kong, and serves as a most refreshing treat on a hot day. It’s like a cold mango soup, with bits of pomelo, a grapefruit like citrus, that makes it super refreshing.

8. The United States: The Chocolate Chip Cookie

When it comes to the art of chocolate chip cookie, no one does it quite like Americans. Chewy cookie plus hunks of semi sweet chocolate make for an outrageous pairing. With a warm cookie and a glass of milk, it would be a sin to ask for more.

9. France: Macaroons

Petite, adorable, and oh so perfect, macaroons are a staple of French taste and attention to detail. Not only do they look amazing, these small and surprisingly light cookies, filled with flavored jams and creams, are sure to satisfy that after-dinner sugar craving.

10. Turkish Candies

While Turkish delights and Baklava are the most well known of Turkish treats, other little candies have some cult-like followings as well. During a trip in Istanbul, I tried the green, pistachio candies for the first time, and decided I needed to buy more immediately. I even had a whole box to myself at the airport. Oops.

What are your favorite travel sweets? We’d love to know!