Where in the World Are These Delicious Desserts From?

By: Jonnathan Chadwick
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Where in the World Are These Delicious Desserts From?
Image: Touching light, moving your heart / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

You've had a few ice creams, you've had them all, right. That's until you travel the world and realize how many different types of ice cream are on this planet. Who knew milk and sugar could be combined and frozen in so many different ways? The light and airy ice cream we enjoy in America gets denser and creamier the further away we venture. It takes on so many new forms that by the time we reach the Middle East, it's not even ice cream anymore — it's iced cream. It's its own category of frozen dessert, and English speakers haven't even invented a word for it. That's the beauty of dessert around the world.

Desserts are a direct product of their geographical area. Earth's sweetest natural resources can hardly be produced outside their native regions. Have you tried to grow coconuts in Canada or pineapple in England? Try to grow a sweet cherry in the wrong part of the world, and it'll be the sourest thing you've ever eaten. And forget about trying to duplicate the conditions needed to grow cocoa beans, vanilla vines or sugar cane. 

One of the best things about traveling is trying all the different foods around the world, but what's even better is getting to try all the different desserts around the world. Are you a foodie? Do you know your desserts? See if you can identify where all of these delicious desserts come from.

Apple pie
Diana Miller / Cultura / Getty Images
What country is apple pie the unofficial national symbol of?
England
Germany
Italy
United States of America
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This dessert originated in England and wasn't baked in America until European settlers brought suitable apples to the continent. Colonists had been using American crabapples only for cider and filling pies with meat until that point, but today apple pie is America's unofficial national dessert.

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Gelato
Irina Marwan / Moment / Getty Images
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream, but where might you scream for gelato?
Italy
Australia
France
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gelato is everywhere in Italy, and it has a slightly different texture and bolder flavor than ice cream. If you venture to the island of Sicily, you'll find the traditional dessert of the island, gelato, served in a brioche bun.

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Baklava
BURCU ATALAY TANKUT / Moment / Getty Images
Which of these countries should you visit for the best baklava in the world?
South Africa
Argentina
Lebanon
China
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This rich and flaky dessert originated in the Ottoman Empire; many countries in that part of the world embrace it as their own. Lebanon is known for perfecting baklava, which is layers of unleavened dough filled with nuts, honey and syrup.

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Tres Leches Cake
Photo by Cathy Scola / Moment / Getty Images
Do you know where tres leches cake originated?
Mexico
Russia
Australia
New Zealand
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Tres leches" translates to "three milks," and tres leches cake is made by infusing sponge cake with evaporated milk, condensed milk and cream. The dessert is a hit all over South America. It is said to have begun in Mexico when food giant Nestlé opened a factory there and introduced the recipe.

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Tangyuan
Wiki Commons by Miuki
Where do these sticky rice balls called tangyuan come from?
Colombia
China
Italy
German
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sticky rice is widespread all over Asia and is used in many desserts, including this one that originated in China. Sticky rice grains are ground to a flour, and a paste of rice flour and water is then wrapped around a sweet filling and boiled in water. Tangyuan are often eaten during the Lantern Festival.

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Po'e
TasteoftheSouthPacific via Youtube
Can you name the country known for this baked banana pudding, known as po'e?
Tahiti
Dominican Republic
Greenland
New Zealand
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you've never had po'e, you can't be faulted because it originates from Tahiti, which is in the middle of the ocean between Australia and South America. The dessert hasn't exactly made its way to the States. It consists of bananas mashed with arrowroot and coconut milk, then baked.

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Creme Brulee
Romeika Cortez / Moment / Getty Images
What country is known for this torched dessert called creme brûlée?
Australia
South Africa
France
Russia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's impossible to pick just one dessert to represent France, but creme brûlée has to be included. The dessert is a soft custard with a layer of torched sugar that acts as a glass cover over the custard.

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Picarones
Wiki Commons by Luis Tamayo
Do you know where these sweet potato doughnuts called picarones come from?
Germany
Italy
Peru
Australia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This dessert originated in Peru in the 16th century and is made from a squash and sweet potato mixture that is rolled into a doughnut shape, deep fried and then drizzled with syrup. Picarones are a popular street food all over the country.

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Syrniki
Wiki Commons by Kunetskiy
Syrniki isn't your normal pancake. Where does this treat come from?
Ukraine
South Africa
Brazil
Spain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These pancakes are made from farmer's cheese, mixed with eggs, flour and sugar and then deep fried. The sweet dessert is popular in Ukraine and is usually served with fruit, jam or sour cream. Savory versions are also popular in the country.

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Mochi
Keiko Iwabuchi / Moment / Getty Images
Where do these sticky rice cakes known as mochi come from?
Finland
Japan
Hungary
Colombia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This dessert uses a type of sticky rice, native to Japan, called mochigome. The rice grains are soaked overnight, cooked, pounded into paste and formed into shapes. Mochi balls often contain fillings.

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Waffles
Brian Macdonald / DigitalVision / Getty Images
We're all familiar with waffles, but what country is known for the best of the best of them?
Bolivia
Canada
Belgium
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you take the average American waffle and double its thickness, making it lighter and fluffier, you'll get a Belgian waffle. They're eaten for breakfast all over the world, but they also make quite the dessert when topped with syrups, powdered sugar and fruit.

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Nanaimo Bars
Wiki Commons by Sheri Terris
What country is known for the Nanaimo bar?
New Zealand
Russia
japan
Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These three-layered treats are named after a city in British Columbia — Nanaimo — and have been floating around Canada since the 1950s. The treat is made with Graham cracker and coconut on the bottom, custard in the middle and chocolate ganache on top.

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Patel de Nata
Food Wishes via Youtube
Where is pastel de nata from?
Portugal
Australia
Japan
Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Legend has it these treats hit the streets of Portugal due to the inventiveness of monks. They were using egg whites to starch fabric and didn't want to waste the yolks, so they created these custardy treats to sell. Pasteis de nata are usually topped with sugar or cinnamon.

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Apfelstrudel
Wiki Commons by Alex Morley
America is known for its apple pie, but what country is known for its apfelstrudel?
Italy
Bolivia
Australia
Austria
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Apfelstrudel, or apple strudel, is a distant cousin of baklava and falls somewhere between baklava and American apple pie. The flaky strudel is filled with cooked apples, sugar and cinnamon, and it is one of Austria's national dishes.

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Black Forest Cake
LauriPatterson / E+ / Getty Images
In what country can you eat Black Forest cake in the Black Forest Mountains?
Germany
South Africa
Canada
New Zealand
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Black Forest cake features layers of chocolate cake with whipped cream and cherry filling between. Cherries and chocolate flakes top the cake, but the star of the show is the kirsch used in the cake recipe. It comes from a specific cherry in Germany's Black Forest, and German law says that any cake in the country labeled as Black Forest cake must use the particular cherry liqueur.

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Espresso
Ekaterina Smirnova / Moment / Getty Images
What country invented espresso?
Cambodia
Italy
Colombia
Kenya
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Espresso was invented in Italy in the 1880s. Although Americans don't normally consider it dessert, it is served after dinner almost everywhere in the world, and it is always on the dessert menu at restaurants in Italy.

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Kanafeh
Wiki Commons by Tracy Hunter
What part of the world is known for this dessert called kanafeh?
Middle East
Asia
South America
Africa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This Middle Eastern dessert is made from layers of syrup-soaked pastry and cheese and is popular all over the region. The Palestinian version differs slightly from the Israeli version, and so on, but they are all similar.

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Cannoli
Oxana Denezhkina / Moment / Getty Images
These cream filled pastries are popular all over the world, but where do they come from?
Italy
Canada
Peru
Finland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cannoli originated in Sicily and are known around the world as an Italian dessert. If you visit Sicily, you'll find different types of cannoli in Messina and Palermo, the two cities that introduced the treat. Essentially, cannoli are pastry tubes filled with sweet cream and ricotta.

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Flan
Miomea / E+ / Getty Images
This cousin of creme brûlée, flan, is from which country?
France
Greenland
Australia
Spain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's difficult to pinpoint the exact location where this dessert originated — but probably the Roman Empire. It was certainly embraced by Spain. Flan is similar to creme brûlée, but the custard is topped with soft caramel sauce instead of hardened sugar.

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Kashata
Shuna's Kitchen via Youtube
In which country might you find this coconut candy called kashata?
Canada
Kenya
Peru
Norway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These sweet bars are sold as street food snacks all over East Africa and are traditional Swahili treats. Kashata is a brittle candy made with a variety of different ingredients, ranging from region to region, and can be made with just coconut or a variety of ingredients.

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Beignets
Wiki Commons by Prayitno
Do you know where beignets are from?
France
Canada
Australia
Germany
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

France is home to no shortage of delicious desserts, and beignets are just another item on a very long list. However, beignets were probably inspired by Islamic fried dough. Beignets are sweet puffs of fried dough, and you can find them in New Orleans in the U.S. as a common breakfast item.

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Kulfi
Wiki Commons by Ravi Talwar
This frozen dessert called kulfi is denser and creamier than ice cream or gelato. Do you know where it's from?
Japan
India
Russia
Germany
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ice cream is churned — that's why it's light and airy. Gelato is also churned, but at a very slow speed — it's almost folded, making it denser than ice cream. Kulfi is not churned at all — it's a solid block of iced cream, making it extremely dense and flavorful.

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Rose Water and Saffron Ice Cream
Wiki Commons by Rye-96
What country is known for rose water and saffron ice cream?
Canada
Korea
Iran
China
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bastani dates back millennia, and it's ice cream made with rose water, saffron and other uniquely Middle Eastern ingredients. It's known around the world as Persian or saffron ice cream, and it may include other flavorful touches, like pistachio.

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Mango Sticky Rice
Aumphotography / Moment / Getty Images
You haven't visited what country until you've had the mango sticky rice?
Italy
Brazil
Germany
Thailand
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This Thai treat is made by combining cooked sticky rice with sweetened coconut milk and serving it with fresh mango slices. The dessert originated in Thailand but is one of the most popular treats all over Southeast Asia.

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Tiramisu
Moncherie / E+ / Getty Images
Do you know where "tiramisu" roughly translates to "pick me up"?
Brazil
Italy
Russia
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The stars of tiramisu are the coffee-soaked sponge biscuits that add a caffeine kick to this rich dessert and give it its name, which means "pick me up." The multi-layered cake is also known for its Italian cream cheese and chocolate flavor.

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Dragon's Beard Candy
Wiki Commons by Richard Lai
In what country might you find dragon's beard candy instead of cotton candy?
New Zealand
Canada
Bolivia
China
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dragon's beard candy is not just a street-side treat in China; it's a national art form. If you're walking down a street in China and deciding where to buy some, you'll probably choose the street vendor with the most entertaining folding process.

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Crepes
Creativeye99 / E+ / Getty Images
Crepes are insanely popular all over the world, and every region has its own version, but what country introduced them?
Canada
Finland
France
Argentina
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These thin pancakes are eaten everywhere in different forms. They are most known as a breakfast or dessert food, but are so versatile they can take on any form. They can be filled with anything from shrimp to strawberries. They can be soft or crunchy, and they can be salted or sugared.

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Chimney Cakes
Wiki Commons by Leszek Leszczynski
What country is known for its chimney cakes?
Hungary
Uruguay
South Africa
Russia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chimney cakes are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, and they are usually sprinkled with sugar or cinnamon. These Hungarian street snacks, known as kürtőskalács, have been around since medieval times.

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Gulab Jamun
Wiki Commons by Ali A. Fazal
Which country should you visit for some traditional gulab jamun?
Argentina
India
Italy
Russia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gulab jamun are made from a dough with milk solids. This dough is rolled into balls, deep fried, covered in syrup and sprinkled with flavorings like rose water or saffron.

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Matcha Ice Cream
Ivan / Moment Open / Getty Images
Which of these countries is known for matcha everything, including this matcha ice cream?
France
New Zealand
Colombia
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Matcha is ground green tea leaves. Since green tea is native to the area, you can find matcha flavored treats all over Asia. Japan is known for matcha ice cream, which was introduced to America a few decades ago and has been gaining popularity worldwide.

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Churro
Jakraphan Inchukul / Moment / Getty Images
Where do churros come from?
Spain
Italy
Canada
Greenland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Churros are made by piping lengths of dough and frying them until they're crunchy, then sprinkling them with sugar. You'll find these snacks all over the world — they are a popular festival and street food. In Spain they are commonly served with chocolate dipping sauce.

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Turkish Delights
Frans Schalekamp / Moment / Getty Images
You might remember this delightful dessert from "The Chronicles of Narnia," but do you know where it originated in real life?
Canada
Brazil
Turkey
South Africa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We don't know exactly where Turkish delight originated, but it's called Turkish delight for a reason, and it dates back to the Ottoman Empire. The delight consists of a gel made from water, starch and sugar, which is flavored. Once the gel sets, it can be sprinkled with sugar and spices.

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Alfajores
Wiki Commons by Manuel González Olaechea
Where do these cookies known as alfajores come from?
France
Australia
Argentina
Ukraine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can find alfajores in Spain and all over South America in different versions, and the cookie can trace its origin to the Middle East. The treat consists of dulce de leche sandwiched between two cookies.

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Maple Taffy
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/maple-trees-in-toffee-season-royalty-free-image/941103948?adppopup=true
What country is known for its maple taffy?
Canada
Japan
Australia
Colombia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canada is known for its maple trees and maple syrup, and Canadians realized they could boil maple syrup past the point for making syrup, and then pour it on snow to make soft taffy. It's best served fresh, and it's a truly unique Canadian treat.

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Dulce de Leche
FotografiaBasica / E+ / Getty Images
What part of the world is known for dulce de leche?
Scandinavia
Australia
Latin America
Asia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dulce de leche translates to "candy from milk," and that's exactly what this dessert is. By heating milk and stirring it while adding flavoring, you can easily create this treat. It is usually eaten as a caramel sauce.

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Kiisseli
Wiki Commons by Veronika Susova
In which country can you find this thick fruit juice, known as Kiisseli?
South Africa
Australia
Finland
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This dessert consists of juice from fresh berries thickened with starch, and sometimes wine is added. Different variations can be found around Western Europe, and its consistency is similar to jelly.

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Noah's Pudding
Wiki Commons by E4024
Do you know where the oldest dessert in the world, Noah's pudding, comes from?
Turkey
Russia
Germany
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Noah's pudding is a dessert of grains, fruits, beans and nuts. Legend has it that Noah and his family ate a special meal once the ark eventually landed ashore — a sweet porridge with leftover ingredients that is today called ashure.

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Akutaq
Wiki Commons by Matyáš Havel
Where in the world do people make ice cream out of animal blubber?
New Zealand
Alaska
Tokyo
Hawaii
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This dessert of animal fat, snow and wild berries is called akutaq and originated in Alaska. It has also been called Native ice cream, Eskimo ice cream and Alaskan ice cream, and you'll be hard-pressed to find an authentic version anywhere outside of Alaska or Canada. Some modern recipes substitute shortening for the animal blubber.

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Dadar Gulung
Wiki Commons by Sitt Mulya
What country is famous for these green coconut pancakes known as dadar gulung?
Brazil
Canada
Germany
Indonesia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Dadar gulung" roughly translates to "rolled pancake," and this sweet is hugely popular in Indonesia. The spongy pancakes are colored green with leaves and are slathered with coconut and sugar before being rolled up.

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S'mores
Mphillips007 / E+ / Getty Images
Who invented s'mores?
France
America
Italy
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

S'mores stands for "some more." Girl Scouts probably invented these graham cracker sandwiches of melted chocolate and toasted marshmallow, back in the 1920s. S'mores are one of the world's most American desserts and the de-facto dessert of campgrounds across the country.

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Touching light, moving your heart / Moment / Getty Images