Come for the Dracula Legends and Stay for the Mouthwatering Romanian Desserts That Each Unique Region Has to Offer

Beyond Transylvania, Romania has a lot to offer in terms of desserts, we have handpicked some of the best ones that won’t weigh you down. As is the best practice with regional specialties, they are best had when you are in their birthplace and some of these can be munched on when you play tourist.

Romanians take their sweets very seriously and throughout the country's different regions, you'll find an extensive range of native desserts that showcase local ingredients and cultural influences in inventive ways. Whether it's sweetbreads, deep-fried dough, chocolate cakes, or delicate fruit cakes, Romanian bakers over the years have shown their prowess at crafting masterpieces with flaky crusts, soft cheeses, and nuts with a touch of spices. Seasonal fruits feature prominently, from summer berries to winter plums. Much like its neighbors, for Romania, religion also plays a big role in its desserts.

1. Papanași

If there was one dessert that could be the dessert mascot of Romania, it would undoubtedly be Papanași. These heavenly little balls covered in sour cream, cherry jam, and a touch of fruit compote might sound rather plain but one bite into them will greet you with the taste of happiness. Papanași are similar to doughnuts but made with soft cottage cheese, making them incredibly light and fluffy inside encapsulated with a crisp exterior. Traditionally served hot straight from the fryer, or boiled and then coated with sweet ingredients, they are never served stale and straight from the fryer or steamer in restaurants across Romania.

2. Pasca

Pască is a beloved Romanian Easter specialty with a rich history and variations do exist, but the most popular version features a creamy, sweet cheese filling nestled inside a braided bread dough. The sweet filling combines smooth cottage cheese with plump raisins, their natural taste enhanced with a little rum. This mixture is then carefully placed within a cozonac-style dough before being braided into its signature round shape. Often a delicate cross is imprinted in the center, representing the Christian symbol of resurrection. Its symbolic form and religious roots deeply connect pască to cherished Christian traditions during this special time of year.

3. Mucenici

Mucenici are a traditional Romanian pastry shaped like the number eight. In southern Romania, mucenici are much smaller than those found in Moldova and are served in a sweet broth. This delicious broth is made by boiling dried mucenici in water along with sugar, vanilla, rum essence, lemon zest, and chopped walnuts. Once cooked, it is served with a sprinkling of cinnamon and additional walnuts. The name "mucenici" translates to "martyrs" in English and Mucenici is eaten each year on the 9th of March, to commemorate the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste.

4. Galuste cu Prune

Originating in the German-speaking regions of Transylvania, this dessert found its way into wider Romanian cuisine. However, you'll mostly find galuște cu prune in Transylvania rather than in other parts of the country. This unusual Romanian sweet may invite conflicting opinions—you'll either love it or dislike it. The dough consists of boiled potatoes, eggs and flour wrapped around an entire plum and then boiled. It is then rolled in a crispy coating of fried bread crumbs mixed with sugar and cinnamon. At their heart, these little dumplings are stuffed plums similar to gnocchi. What makes them truly stand out is the outstanding breadcrumb coating seasoned with cinnamon and sugar. Some versions add chopped walnuts to the coating as well.

5. Kürtőskalács

This traditional Hungarian-style pastry known as kürtőskalács or kurtos colac is a specialty of Transylvania. The sweet dough is wrapped around a wooden spit and roasted over an open fire. As it cooks, the baker coats it in melted butter and granulated sugar. This creates the pastry's signature crispy, caramelized crust. Once fully roasted, it is rolled in toppings like cinnamon, crushed walnuts, or coconut. The warm, soft interior contrasts delightfully with the brûléed exterior. To enjoy one, break off strips from the top and unwind it from the spit. It makes for the perfect handheld sweet as you explore cities around Romania.

6. Salam de Biscuiti

One of the most popular desserts that is said to be a childhood favorite of the Romanians is Salam de Biscuiti or chocolate biscuit salami. Salam de Biscuiti gets its name from its resemblance to salami or sausage. While the name may conjure images of cured meats, this dessert could not be more different—it requires no cooking at all. The simple recipe involves mixing crushed biscuits, cocoa powder, Turkish delight, rum essence, milk, butter, coconut, and raisins into a dough that is then rolled and chilled. Once rolled and set, forgetting about it in the fridge until serving proves a challenge for it is addictive despite its simplicity.