Poland is known for its beautiful cities, majestic castles, and breathtaking landscapes. It’s also a place where you can delight in a decadent dessert.
Being in the center of Europe, the influences of its neighbors have made Poland an ideal place to sample scrumptious pastries, cakes, and other notoriously “naughty” sweets.
For a taste of Poland right in your own home, try some of the mouth-watering recipes below. The creamy and flavor-packed desserts will have your family, friends, and guests impressed, to say the least.
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17 Polish Dessert Ideas With Recipes
If you are looking for a dessert that will tickle the senses and intrigue your diners, look no further. Sweet, creamy, flaky, and simply delicious, these Polish desserts are a must-try!
1. Polish Donuts (Paczki)
If you are craving a doughnut and don’t feel like running to your local bakery, try making these simple and absolutely delicious donuts with ingredients you probably already have at home.
Polish donuts differ from your average donut in a couple of ways. This pillowy donut is made with a very rich dough and doesn’t have a hole in the center, rather, it is filled with custard or fruit jam. This delectable donut is covered in fine sugar and is sure to please the entire gang.
https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/paczki/
2. Chrusciki (Angel Wings)
The name of this particular cookie is derived from its unique shape. Delicate and crumbly, the dough of the angel wings consists mostly of egg and a bit of flour which makes them light and airy when bitten into.
Easy to make, this fried dough is a great pop-it-in-your-mouth treat. Covered in powdered sugar, these sweet treats will disappear off the dish in no time.
https://www.jennycancook.com/recipes/polish-chrusciki-angel-wings/
3. Polish Cream Cheese Cookies (Kolaczki)
These buttery cookies are popular all over central and eastern Europe. Kolaczki is a Polish treat that is made with butter, cream cheese, and a fruit filling.
Often served during the holidays, this cookie with its crumbly sweet pastry can be enjoyed any time of the year. Try it with apricot jam and a cup of tea.
https://polishhousewife.com/kolaczki/
Not your traditional gingerbread cookie this version of the classic cookie has a few variations that make it Polish.
Your typical gingerbread cookie spices will remain in this recipe to give it its spicy goodness. Cocoa powder and honey will make it especially unique with a glaze that makes it simply scrumptious.
https://hollytrail.com/2017/12/27/old-style-polish-gingerbread-cookies-pierniczki-staropolskie/
5. Rurki
If you’ve never had a rurki, you need to get yourself to a Polish bakery now! If there isn’t one around, you can take this recipe and make your friends and family a treat with this mascarpone-filled pastry.
Think of it like a waffle cone that’s rolled into a tube (Rurki is sometimes called a torpedo dessert) and filled with whipped cream. Need I say more? For an easy spin on the original, try the recipe below.
https://www.sugaroversalt.com/strawberry-love-rurki/
6. Polish Coffee Cake
Who doesn’t love a good coffee cake in the morning? This sweet bread, topped with a scrumptious buttery crumb topping is especially favored around Easter time but truly great any time!
A hint of lemon or orange is something Polish baked goods are known for. These bread-shaped cakes are delicious when served fresh out of the oven but also freeze well if you want to make them in advance.
https://cookingwithcarlee.com/polish-placek-coffee-cake/
7. Lemon Babka
Another holiday favorite, lemon babka is a traditional cake served with tea during Easter. Similar to a pound cake but with a slight bread-like consistency, this cake is truly easy to throw together for a Sunday morning treat everyone will love.
Try something uniquely Polish and prepare your bundt pan with a butter and bread crumb coating to give the cake crust a crumbly texture.
https://polishhousewife.com/cytrynowa-babka-lemon-babka/
8. Honey Spice Cake (Piernik)
Think of a gingerbread cookie in the form of a cake. Sound delicious? Try this spiced honey cake for something a little different that is sure to ignite your tastebuds.
Fluffy and light because it uses oil in the batter, the decadent taste of honey does not feel overwhelming in this polish gingerbread honey cake.
https://www.everydayhealthyrecipes.com/polish-gingerbread-loaf-cake-piernik-recipe/
9. Poppy Seed Cake (Makowiec)
This bread roll is not only rich and delicious, it’s a sight to behold when sliced for serving. This dough is filled with the sweet filling of your choice, rolled to perfection and topped with slivered almonds.
A poppyseed filling is a perfect complement to this yeast roll but try it with apples, jam, or farmer’s cheese as well.
https://www.polishyourkitchen.com/polishrecipes/polish-poppyseed-roll-makowiec/
10. Polish apple pie
Not your average apple pie, this Polish apple pie also called a szarlotka is a wonderful combination of apples and shortcrust pastry that delights the senses.
There are many interpretations of the classic szarlotka that use things like nuts, dried fruits, and meringue. If you are a purist and want to try the original try this classic recipe.
https://www.polonist.com/szarlotka-polish-apple-pie/
11. Cheesecake
If you needed a reason at all to make a cheesecake, here’s a recipe that’ll have your guests jumping up for seconds. This Polish variety of cheesecakes is truly special as it uses Polish farmer’s cheese also known as “twarog.”
Firm yet creamy, this cheesecake is the product of a cheese mixture that is sweet with a note of sourness that is just right. With a crumbly shortcrust base, this cheesecake is delicious with or without toppings.
https://www.polonist.com/polish-cheesecake-sernik/
12. Kolacz (Wheel Cake)
You can guess where the name of this cake comes from. Wheel cake is a round cake without a hole in the center that is served during the holidays.
Similar to a babka, a kolacz is a yeast-raised cake with a cheese filling. Springy and delicious this sweet cheese-filled cake is simple enough that everyone in the family will be asking for more.
13. Papal cream cake
Cream and custard are customary in many Polish desserts. This Polish version of a napoleon cake has fewer layers than the French version and is decadent with a splash of almond liqueur (if you so choose to add it).
Puff pastry layered with vanilla custard and topped with a heavy sprinkle of powdered sugar. Need I say more?
https://annainthekitchen.com/polish-papal-cream-cake/
14. Polish crepes
As mentioned, Polish desserts have influences from all over Europe. Another sweet cheese-filled dessert that has its roots outside of Poland but has been made popular by the masses is nalesniki or polish crepes.
Crepes are a lot easier to make than you would expect. With a simple batter and a hot pan, you can make these flat pancakes and fill or top them with virtually anything you desire.
https://www.everyday-delicious.com/nalesniki-recipe/
15. Plum cake
Something about plums in a cake makes everyone long for summer days. Add vanilla, lemon and a batter enriched with sour cream and you have a cake that’s truly picnic worthy.
This particular plum cake uses a batter that’s creamy and rich which creates a soft yet crumbly cake when baked. The plums set in the center of the batter before baking make it extra most and delicious.
https://cakieshq.com/recipe/placek-z-sliwkami-polish-plum-cake/
16. Andrut
Nothing is boring about this crispy wafer cake decked with chocolately goodness. If you are into sweets, this is the ultimate after meal pick-me-up.
The store-bought wafers in this recipe are layered with a chocolate buttercream infused with almond flavor. After being assembled you can decorate with a chocolate sauce that will make the whole thing irresistible to party guests.
https://javacupcake.com/2015/04/andrut-traditional-polish-dessert/
17. Mazurka
For most Americans, the recipe for mazurka will feel a lot like a tart but the Polish specialty is much more crumbly than a tart and consists of dried fruit, jam, thick caramel, and nuts.
If you want to make it traditional and evoke the feeling of Poland, decorate it with patterns and designs indicative of Easter and Palm Sunday.
https://polishhousewife.com/mazurek-polish-easter-pastry/
Wrap Up
Central Europe is known for desserts such as the ones listed above. And because of Poland’s central location, it is truly a hotspot for a variety of inspired treats.
Home-cooked and humble, the cuisine of the Polish people inspires warmth and hospitality. Finish your meal with one of their healthy and hearty desserts tonight.