16 Popular and Traditional Russian Desserts

16 Popular and Traditional Russian Desserts

Russian desserts are rich, comforting, and deeply rooted in culture. From honey-layered cakes to fruit-filled pastries and fluffy soufflés, these treats tell stories of royalty, tradition, and celebration. 

If you’re a lover of sweets, Russian cuisine offers an exciting world of flavors to explore.

Let’s discover 16 iconic Russian desserts worth tasting.

1. Medovik (Медовик) – Honey Cake

A legendary layered cake infused with honey and creamy filling. Its popularity began when Tsarina Elizaveta unknowingly tasted and demanded it daily at the imperial court.

2. Ptichye Moloko (Птичье Молоко) – Bird’s Milk Soufflé

A delicate chocolate-coated soufflé derived from Polish confectionery and perfected in Soviet sweet factories.

3. Pechenye Yabloki (Печёные Яблоки) – Baked Apples

A cherished Christmastime treat—soft apples baked with sugar, honey, or cinnamon.

4. Tort Praga (Торт Прага) – Prague Cake

A chocolate sponge cake layered with rich chocolate cream, crafted by a Russian pastry master inspired by Czechoslovakia.

5. Konfeti Batonchiki – Russian Sweets & Candies

Small wrapped candies adored by children, who often collected the colorful wrappers.

6. Syrniki (Сырники) – Cheese Pancakes

Soft, sweet pancakes made from curd cheese, typically served with jam, honey, or sour cream.

7. Oladyi (Оладьи) – Mini Pancakes

Small, fluffy pancakes that once began as peasant food but became a staple for all classes.

8. Churchkhela (Чурчхела) – Nut & Grape Snack

A Georgian sweet loved in Russia—nuts threaded on strings and dipped in thickened grape juice.

9. Napoleon Cake (Торт Наполеон)

A symbolic dessert made after Napoleon’s defeat—layers of pastry and creamy filling.

10. Pavlova (Торт Павлова)

Named after ballerina Anna Pavlova, this airy meringue dessert is finished with fruit and cream.

11. Sharlotka (Шарлотка) – Apple Cake

An economical sponge cake with apples—simple, soft, and widely baked at home.

12. Kulichi (Пасхальный Кулич) – Easter Sweet Bread

An Easter tradition—decorated bread enjoyed after worship services.

13. Plushki (Плюшки) – Sugared Buns

Buttery heart-shaped buns dusted with sugar and served with tea.

14. Mannik (Манник) – Semolina Cake

A soft, foolproof dessert made from semolina—beloved by children.

15. Chak-Chak (Чак-чак) – Honey Dough Clusters

Crunchy, honey-coated dough bits popular across Tatarstan and beyond.

16. Zefir (Зефир) – Fruit Soufflé Candy

A light, airy confection made from whipped fruit purée and egg whites.

People Also Ask

✔ What are the 9 common desserts?

According to Nutriente Pastry Studio, nine widely recognized dessert categories include:
cake, cookies, ice cream, fruit desserts, pie, cheesecake, pudding/custard, brownies, and gelato.

✔ What is the most popular sweet in Russia?

Some top Russian sweets include:
• Chocolate bars
• Gift candy boxes
• Marmalade and jelly candy
• Marshmallow (Zefir) and pastille
• Halva
• Chocolate spreads
• Kinder sweets
• Roshen candies

✔ What is the most traditional dessert?

From American classics, examples include:
• New York cheesecake
• Peach cobbler
• Bananas Foster
• Angel food cake
• Pecan pie
• Texas sheet cake
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Pineapple upside-down cake

✔ What are the five most popular desserts?

Among general favorites around the USA are:
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Brownies
• Ice cream
• Apple pie
• Cheesecake
• Cupcakes
• Carrot cake
• Jell-O

✔ What are 10 sweet foods?

Examples from Indian cuisine include:
• Imarti
• Jalebi
• Kaju Katli
• Kalakand
• Burfi varieties and more

✔ What is the Queen of Desserts?

The title refers to Queen of Puddings, a classic British baked dessert layered with jam and topped with meringue.

✔ What are the 12 types of desserts?

Desserts fall into categories such as:
• Puddings
• Pies
• Cakes
• Custards
• Creams
• Meringues
• Crêpes
• Pancakes
• Waffles
• Popovers
• Frozen desserts

✔ What is the oldest dessert?

Ashure—also known as the “Pudding of Noah”—is widely considered to be one of the world’s oldest recorded desserts.

✔ What are some traditional desserts from around the world?

• Tiramisu (Italy)
  • Crème Brûlée (France)
  • Gulab Jamun (India)
  • Apple Pie (USA)
  • Mochi (Japan)
  • Rum Cake (Caribbean)
  • Banoffee Pie (England)
  • Gelato (Italy)