Is your favorite dessert on the list? Here is the TasteAtlas world top list

Portugal takes first place on the dessert podium

This year, Portugal has conquered the global palate. The Pastel de Belém, originally from Lisbon, takes first place. These puff pas try tartlets filled with a soft pastry cream have won the hearts of locals and tourists alike, becoming an emblem of Portuguese pastries. In second place is Puerto Rico's Tembleque, a coconut pudding that, with its creamy texture and tropical flavor, has climbed the ranks to become one of the world's favorites.Third place goes to Turkey's Dondurma, an ice cream known for its elasticity and ability to hold firm without melting, thanks to ingredients such as orchid flour. Its peculiar texture and flavor make it unmistakable and highly appreciated.

Classics that never go out of style

There are sweets that, no matter how many years go by, continue to win hearts in every corner of the world. They are the infallible classics, those that need no introduction and that appear again and again in the TasteAtlas ranking as those who always have a place at the table. One of them, of course, is the Italian tiramisu. This iconic dessert, with its delicate balance between the bitterness of coffee and the smoothness of mascarpone, continues to merit its place among the global favorites. Each spoonful is an express trip to a dimly lit trattoria with the aroma of espresso.

From France come crepes, with their perfect crust, which continue to prove that simplicity done well can be pure delight. These delicate sheets, close cousins of our filloas, can be filled with a thousand and one fillings, all equally tempting: sugar, cocoa cream, dulce de leche, jams... everyone has their favorite.

And if we are talking about layers, the Turkish baklava remains an ode to patience and well understood excess. Thin layers of filo dough, generous portions of dried fruits and a bath of syrup that impregnates everything with an intoxicating sweetness. It's dense, yes. Sticky, too. But it's one of those pleasures one doesn't easily forget.

These classics not only survive the passage of time, they make the most of it. They change shape, adapt to new tastes, travel from country to country... and still retain their essence. There is always a place for them, whether in an international ranking, on a restaurant menu or in the memory of those who have enjoyed them once.

Beyond the list: the value of traditional desserts

This ranking, in addition to whetting the appetite, invites us to reflect on the cultural value of pastries. Behind every dessert there are stories, local ingredients, inherited recipes and a way of understanding cooking that goes beyond the dish. In Spain, who does not have the memory of a grandmother beating egg whites for a sponge cake, or a snack with rice pudding sprinkled with cinnamon?

Our sweets may not be in the top 10, but they are part of our identity. And perhaps that is what is really important.

And you, which one is your favorite?

We know that rankings can be controversial and that everyone has their favorite dessert. Do you miss any sweet in this list? What is the dessert that, for you, deserves to be in the Olympus of sweets? Tell us about it and let's share together this passion for sweets

! >> You can check the complete list of the 100 best desserts in the world (updated to March 2025) here: TasteAtlas - 100 Best Rated Desserts in the World.

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