Among the many culinary treasures, Bulgarian desserts stand out for their flavors and comforting ingredients. If you want to explore the sweet side of Bulgarian cuisine during your visit, here are some traditional desserts you have to try!
Top 10 Traditional Bulgarian Desserts
1. Kozunak
Kozunak is a beloved Bulgarian sweet bread. We typically prepare it during Orthodox Easter, as a part of the traditional celebrations. The rich, slightly sweet bread is similar to Italian Panettone or French Brioche, with a soft, fluffy texture.
The dough is flavored with vanilla or lemon zest and often contains raisins or nuts. Some variations even include a filling of sweetened walnut or chocolate spread. The intricate braiding of the dough before baking gives Kozunak its characteristic appearance, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious.
While you can find Kozunak in some grocery stores year-round, it's not a treat you may find at a restaurant, even during Easter.
2. Mekitsi
Mekitsi are deep-fried dough pastries. They are a traditional breakfast favorite in Bulgaria. Made from a simple dough of flour, yogurt, and eggs, these golden, crispy treats are typically served with powdered sugar, honey, or jam.
For a more savory twist, you can also enjoy them with cheese. Mekitsi are often compared to doughnuts but have a much denser, chewier texture that makes them so delicious and satisfying.
While mekitsi is a very homey treat, in recent years, many local eateries have added them as breakfast options. There are even some chic fast-food stalls scattered throughout the bigger cities, offering mekitsi in different flavors.
3. Compote
If you want a local Bulgarian sweet treat, it doesn't get more traditional than Compote (Kompot). It is a simple yet refreshing dessert made from boiled fruit. Bulgarian households prepare compote by simmering a mix of fruits such as apples, plums, cherries, or peaches with sugar and water.
The result is a sweetened watery syrup with fruit chunks, bottled up with glass jars. You can consume compote warm or chilled. Compote is often served as a dessert or as a refreshing drink. The sweet syrup is in almost every traditional Bulgarian home.
Compote is a very niche dessert since it is homemade and not a typical addition to restaurant menus. Right now, a few farm-to-table brands are taking compote to the supermarkets and local stores, so tourists can try it as well.
4. Milk Rice Pudding (Mliako s Oriz)
Milk Rice, or "Mliako s Oriz," is a comforting dessert that brings back childhood memories for many Bulgarians. The creamy rice pudding is made by slowly simmering rice in milk with a pinch of sugar and vanilla.
Once cooked, it's topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra touch of warmth. The dessert is simple yet satisfying, with a smooth texture and a mild sweetness that appeals to all ages.
While it's a very traditional dessert in Bulgaria, the origins of milk rice come from the times when the Ottoman Empire occupied the country. The more popular Turkish name for this dessert is Sutlyash. Travelers can enjoy the sweet milky dish in many Bulgarian eateries.
5. Tikvenik
Tikvenik is a traditional Bulgarian dessert that showcases the natural sweetness of pumpkin. We make the pastry by wrapping a mixture of grated pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes walnuts in thin, flaky filo dough.
The rolls are then baked until golden brown and dusted with powdered sugar. Tikvenik is quite popular in the autumn and winter months, offering a taste of Bulgaria's rural and countryside traditions.
The taste is unique and unusual for foreigners, but a favorite in Bulgaria. While the tikvenik is usually a homemade dish, some traditional restaurants offer it as a part of their menu.
6. Biscuit Cake (Biskvitena Torta)
This no-bake dessert tops the list of easy-to-make Bulgarian treats. While it's not traditional in the sense of a recipe going back for centuries, the biscuit cake is a tasty dessert with a modern twist every Bulgarian loves.
Preparation is very straightforward. Layers of tea biscuits are soaked in milk or coffee and then alternated with layers of creamy custard or pudding. After the assembly, the cake is then chilled until the biscuits soften and meld with the cream, creating a decadent, cake-like texture.
Travelers can find Biscuit Cake at many local bakeries and cafes throughout Bulgaria, in larger cities. The popular dessert is often a feature on dessert menus, making it easy to sample the sweet treat during your visit.
7. Revane
Revane is a semolina cake soaked in sugar syrup, reminiscent of Middle Eastern desserts like Basbousa. The cake is light, airy, and flavored with vanilla or lemon zest.
Once baked, it's drenched in warm sugar syrup, keeping it moist and sweet. We often garnish revane with ground walnuts or coconut flakes, adding a crunchy contrast to its tender crumb.
Revane is a popular dessert in both Turkey and Bulgaria. It's widely available in traditional Bulgarian pastry shops across the country.
8. Buhtichki
Buhtichki are small, deep-fried dough balls. They are a popular breakfast in Bulgaria. Made from a simple dough of flour, yogurt, eggs, and baking soda, the bite-size pastries are fried until golden and crispy on the outside, while remaining soft and fluffy on the inside.
The traditional preparation includes dusting the buhtichki with powdered sugar and serving them with honey, jam, or a sprinkling of cinnamon. They’re a comforting, nostalgic food for many Bulgarians, often associated with homemade meals and family gatherings.
There are hardly any eatery places and stores where travelers can try buhtichki, unless they visit a Bulgarian household in the countryside.
9. Garash Cake
Garash Cake is one of Bulgaria's most iconic and indulgent desserts with rich chocolate flavor and elegant presentation. Originating in the late 19th century, it was created by Hungarian pastry chef Károly Garash, who worked in Bulgaria. The cake is made with just a few simple ingredients: ground walnuts, eggs, sugar, and dark chocolate, yet it delivers an incredibly dense and moist texture.
The cake consists of thin layers of walnut meringue, held together by a smooth, glossy chocolate ganache. The entire cake is then covered in a rich chocolate glaze, giving it a luxurious finish.
Despite its richness, Garash Cake is often served in thin slices due to its intense flavor, making it a special treat for chocolate lovers. It's a favorite in many high-end restaurants, cafeterias, cake shops, and pastry shops across Bulgaria.
10. Butter Cookies (Kurabiiki)
Kurabiiki are traditional Bulgarian butter cookies. These cookies are made from a basic dough with flour, butter, eggs, sugar, and a touch of baking powder. The flavoring is vanilla or lemon zest, gives the cookies a light, aromatic quality.
Kurabiiki are shaped into small, round, or crescent forms and baked until they’re just lightly golden. They have a tender, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth. The butter cookies are popular during holidays (Easter and Christmas) and family gatherings. They pair perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea, making them a staple in Bulgarian households.
Tourists can get a taste of butter cookies in many local bakeries and pastry shops throughout Bulgaria. You may find them as a part of dessert assortments or alongside coffee and tea.
In summary...
Traditional Bulgarian desserts offer a glimpse into the rich cultural and culinary heritage of the country. Whether you're savoring the soft, braided Kozunak or enjoying a slice of syrup-soaked Revane, each bite makes you love Bulgaria even more.
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