Best Authentic Ukrainian Desserts

Exploring a new country can go beyond its cultural traditions, literature, music, and architectural landmarks to include its authentic cuisine, especially sweets and desserts, which are an integral part of every nation's culture. Ukrainian cuisine, enriched by European, Eastern, Jewish, and even Asian culinary traditions, is one of the most diverse in the world in terms of dishes, recipes, and ingredients.

Popular Ukrainian dishes have spread worldwide, becoming “ambassadors” of the national cuisine. Almost every country has likely heard of Ukrainian dumplings, varenyky, or borscht (though some aggressive states like Russia attempt to claim these dishes as part of their own meagre culinary tradition). Beyond these, Ukraine boasts a unique array of traditional baked goods and sweets characterised by the use of nuts, berries, dairy products, and various delicious doughs.

The variety of Ukrainian dessert recipes, which vary from region to region, reflects the richness of its culinary traditions. From time-honoured recipes passed down through centuries to modern interpretations, Ukrainian desserts not only delight the palate but also tell a story of the country's rich cultural heritage and culinary sophistication. Here, we invite you on a gastronomic journey through some of Ukraine's signature sweets, perfect for any festive table.

Verguny or Khrusty

Source: Klopotenko.com

These sweet pastries, often made with poppy seeds or nuts, are a staple in the regions of Chernihiv and Polissia and are considered a traditional Ukrainian treat. Nearly every household has, at some point, prepared this dessert by hand. Recipes for verguny can vary by region or family tradition, but the main ingredients remain consistent. The dough is yeast-based, made with flour, kefir or sour cream, eggs, and baking soda. The dough is rolled out and cut into small pieces, which are then fried in a pan until golden brown. After frying, the verguny are drizzled with melted honey or served with sweetened sour cream. This Ukrainian dessert is simple to prepare yet incredibly delicious and filling, making it a popular choice for festive tables, social gatherings, and everyday enjoyment.

Pliatsky

A traditional delicacy from the Halychyna region, pliatsky are confectionery creations combining layers of sponge, cream, and fillings. They are similar to cakes but simpler to make. Served at celebrations and festive occasions, they often feature several types on a single tray, with both sweet and savoury varieties. Pliatsky are usually baked in rectangular forms, with options ranging from multi-layered to single-layered varieties, cut into square portions for serving.

Lviv Syrnyk

Lviv Syrnyk is one of the most renowned and delicious traditional Ukrainian desserts. Its unique flavour and delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture set it apart. Unlike the usual idea of a cheesecake, this dessert resembles a baked pudding or, compared to European counterparts, a cheesecake with a twist. The main ingredient is curd cheese, which lends the dessert its tender texture and distinctive tang. Other ingredients include eggs, sugar, butter, semolina, sour cream, and vanilla sugar, all contributing to its creamy, delicate flavour. Many home cooks add raisins to enhance the taste further. After baking, the dessert is topped with chocolate glaze and left to cool. The thin, crispy crust enveloping the soft filling creates an exquisite contrast, making every bite of Lviv Syrnyk a true delight for the taste buds.

Strudel

Close relatives of Czech and Austrian desserts, these sweet pies made from sour dough with fillings of jam, poppy seeds, or nuts are popular in Zakarpattia and Prykarpattia. Strudel is a rolled dessert made from unleavened dough, which traditionally contains little butter and very little sugar. A distinctive feature of preparing strudel, regardless of the recipe, is rolling or stretching the dough to an extremely thin layer. The most common filling is apples, but other options include cherries, poppy seeds, or, more rarely, cheese, spinach, meat, or fish. For an authentic Viennese strudel, the sliced apples are pre-fried in butter, though using raw apples in the filling is also acceptable.

Bannik

Also known as the poppy seed roll, this Ukrainian national pastry has a rich tradition. In the past, poppy seeds symbolised prosperity and fertility, making them a common ingredient in culinary creations. Bannik became a popular dessert for festive gatherings and family dinners, and it is still prepared today for Trinity Sunday, Makoviy, Christmas, and Easter. Its flavour is unique and pronounced: delicate dough enveloping a filling of poppy seeds offers a slightly sweet taste and soft texture. The dough is rolled out, generously spread with a mixture of poppy seeds, sugar, and butter, sometimes with the addition of ground nuts or raisins, before being baked to perfection.

Pampushky

These small, round, fluffy buns are made from yeast dough using rye, wheat, buckwheat, or a mix of wheat and buckwheat flours. Traditionally, baked pampushky were served with borscht instead of bread. Nowadays, they are often prepared with wheat flour and sweet fillings (such as berries, poppy seeds, or jam), sprinkled with powdered or granulated sugar. However, no authentic Ukrainian borscht is complete without garlic pampushky.

Cherry Dumplings

Varenyky (dumplings) are a highly popular dish in Ukraine with a wide variety of fillings for every taste. One of the most delicious sweet fillings is cherry. This traditional Ukrainian dessert is juicy inside, with tender dough encasing whole cherries that have a sweet and slightly tart flavour. Several recipe variations exist for cherry varenyky. The dough is made from flour, eggs, water, and salt, then rolled out and cut into small round pieces. A filling of fresh cherries, sugar, and a little starch is placed in the centre of each round, and the edges of the dough are sealed. The dumplings are then steamed or boiled until ready. This dessert is usually served with butter or sour cream.

Medivnyk (Honey Cake)

This classic Ukrainian and European dessert is made with honey and is one of the many sweet dishes often claimed by Russians. Despite legends about its ancient origins, the honey cake does not appear in any 19th-century Russian cookbooks. The first recipe for honey cake was published in Ukrainian-language books titled Ukrainian Dishes in 1957 and 1960 in Kyiv. The dessert gained popularity during the Soviet era, becoming a favourite across the USSR. Modern honey cakes lack spices but feature custard or sour cream layers, resulting in the Medovyk cake, where thin honey-flavoured layers are alternated with cream.

Kyiv Cake

Source: Wikipedia

A hallmark of Kyiv desserts and a signature sweet souvenir brought home by foreigners visiting Ukraine, even now during wartime. The Kyiv Cake was originally created as a premium dessert served at restaurants and important events. Its immense popularity is underscored by its naming after Ukraine’s capital. The defining features of its flavour are its crispiness and layered texture. This is achieved with delicate meringue and nut layers. Additionally, the Kyiv Cake is filled with a creamy layer made from high-quality butter, offering a rich taste with the first bite. A chocolate cream layer can be added for additional texture and a new flavour dimension. Though the preparation process is somewhat complex, the result is worth every effort.