It is a shame that Polish desserts are not more renowned than they currently are. I want to explore these 14 recipes with you to showcase how hearty and delicious they can be.
From poppy seed rolls to dried fruit cookies, you will want to make every single one of these mouth-watering treats. Take a break from your usual sugar cookies to try some traditional sweets from Poland!
1. Polish Crepes
You probably already adore crepes because they are just so simple. These versatile treats allow for sweet or savory fillings depending on your specific mood.
This Polish version offers a bit of both worlds. The sweetened quark cheese filling creates an ideal balance.
Serve them alongside jam for the ultimate breakfast food.
2. Polish Gingerbread Cookies
Spoil your family this Christmas with a very special batch of cookies. They might just become a brand new tradition for you.
You must let these mature for at least three days to get the best results. It sounds crazy to wait that long to eat a cookie, I know.
But doing this in advance saves you stress during the busy holidays.
3. Papal Cream Cake
This dessert earned its name after St. John Paul II shared his love for the treat. I totally understand why because every slice tastes like pure heaven.
It features layers of puff pastry with a vanilla cream filling and powdered sugar on top. The recipe is simple enough to impress at your next party.
4. Polish Plum Cake
Plums are honestly so underrated when it comes to baking. The sticky sweet fruit in this cake pairs perfectly with crunchy almonds for an interesting texture.
Get ready for your kitchen to smell like dreamy cinnamon, nuts, and plums. It wins on texture, scent, and taste.
5. Szarlotka: Apple Tart
Think of this tart as the less sweet cousin to the American apple pie. She is the mature one who does not need to try too hard.
You can enjoy this treat without worrying about all the sugar. It uses basic pantry ingredients and Granny Smith apples, so you can whip it up last minute.
6. Polish Mazurkas
These are a holiday staple in Poland, but the colorful dried fruit mix reminds me of summer. They are stunning cookies that will stand out on any table.
Named after a folk dance, they offer a dance of flavors from buttery to fruity. Your guests won’t be able to stop grabbing them.
7. Kołaczki: Polish Cream Cheese Cookies
These vibrant and colorful cream cheese cookies make me feel so giddy and happy. They are called a cookie, but the texture is flaky and buttery.
Do not worry about the pastry versus cookie debate because the taste is all that matters. You can choose filling options like nuts, berries, or cheese.
8. Polish Poppy Seed Roll
I found the ideal companion for winding down with wine or afternoon tea. A mix of raisins, nuts, and dried fruit with poppy seeds creates a unique craving.
People usually make them for the holidays. However, they are a fantastic snack to keep around anytime.
9. Polish Mountain Cream Cake
Let this dessert take you on a journey to the Polish Highlands. The cake resembles snow-capped mountain peaks, which explains the name.
Every bite rewards you with indulgent, rich custard cream. It is actually very hard to get this recipe wrong.
10. Pączki: Donuts
The Polish people created this treat as a last indulgence before Lent fasting. You fry these discs of yeast dough to golden brown perfection.
You can make them oozing with filling or just toss them in sugar. Good things take time, so be sure to plan ahead.
11. Polish Lemon Babka
Is it a cake or is it bread? That is up for debate, but it does not matter once you taste a slice.
This Easter tradition balances tangy lemon with sweet cake. You soak the bread in lemon syrup for perfect citrus flavor.
Finally, you top it with a lemon-infused milky glaze.
12. Polish Coffee Cake
It is exciting to try a family recipe passed down through generations. This interesting version uses yeast.
The waiting is the only hard part, so do not be intimidated. A heavenly crumb topping provides a crunch that perfectly offsets the moist, soft cake.
13. Sernik: Cheesecake
This is one of the most common desserts in Poland and has so much history. People have been making it since the 17th Century.
The authentic version uses twaróg, which is a sweet curd cheese. Do not worry if you cannot find it because there are plenty of alternatives.
14. Polish Angel Wings
Each bite of these will have you hearing angels sing. They are crispy, thin, sugar-dusted treats unlike anything else.
The texture is so light and delicious. It is literally impossible to eat just one.