In the World of Desserts, Why the Ones That Start With the Letter ‘R’ Hold a Special Place

In our alphabet series, next up is the letter ‘R’ that rings in a host of desserts that are sure to rank on top in your list of favorites.

Desserts have a unique way of delighting our taste buds and captivating our senses. From the classic red velvet cake to the comforting rice pudding; from the intoxicating rum cake to the delicate raindrops cake, explore the world of desserts starting with the letter ‘R’. Pick your favorite, and try to recreate it yourself.

Red Velvet Cake or Cupcake

Traditionally paired with a soft cream cheese frosting, the allure of Red Velvet desserts goes beyond just the bright red, eye catching look. Its moistness and airy texture makes it a crowd favorite, and it sits in the company of mighty flavors like chocolate and vanilla cakes. The color then adds sophistication, drama and elegance to the plate. It’s often a celebratory cake, a marriage of the bright red color and the deep cocoa flavor. The red and white frosting contrast also makes it easy to spot from afar, and a very memorable dessert to have.

Rasmalai

Rasmalai is a soft and spongy, milk-based dessert, creamy and refreshing with each bite. It originates from the Indian subcontinent. From the soft and squishy balls made of paneer, to the aromatic milk syrup it lays in, each bite is soft and full of flavor that oozes out. Dry fruits like almonds and pistachios or other items like saffron strands are often added to the dish, giving it a more complex flavor palette. It’s often present in Indian homes during festivals and other celebratory moments.

Rice Pudding

This dish has variations all over the globe, depending on the culture you're looking at. But always, it's a comfort food. Often preferred plain but also infused with flavors like vanilla, cinnamon or cardamom, it's a rich and creamy dessert, filling enough to work as an evening snack. It can be eaten warm or served chilled, depending on the occasion and setting. It has a subtle sweetness, and the rice comes with several health benefits, making it a favorite of all ages and cultures.

Raspberry Tart

Tarts are a great dessert in themselves. But the raspberry tart in particular is a hit among dessert enthusiasts. It combines the buttery flakiness of the tart with the fresh, strong flavor and sweetness of the fruit. It’s also visually appealing, with the bright red raspberries making for an enticing looking dish. Top the raspberries with powdered sugar and you have a brilliant looking dessert, be it one big pie or mini, bite-sized tarts.

Rum Cake

The Rum Cake is a complex dessert, combining the rich flavor of rum with the moistness and airy texture of a well baked cake. While the cake is soaked in a rum syrup, for more flavor, the frosting can also be infused with rum. The sweetness of the cake balances with the warmth and aromatic notes of the rum, leading to a multifaceted experience with each bite. Although this dessert isn’t for kids, it's popular enough that it's often found at celebrations and festive occasions.

Roulade

Also called the Swiss Roll, the Roulade is an elegant dessert that combines a light sponge cake with rich, creamy fillings like whipped cream, fruit preserves or chocolate ganache. It's important to get the shape and size of the roll perfect, and to handle it delicately, so the roll doesn't break. It's then cut into delicate slices and served cool, often with a side of vanilla ice cream. There are endless flavor options one can experiment with, and a variety of toppings to play with.

Rocky Road Ice Cream

The Rocky Road Ice Cream is perfect for those who enjoy multiple textures in their desserts. The chocolate ice cream is filled with marshmallows, nuts and chocolate chunks, making each bite a unique delight of sweetness, coldness, crunchiness and chewiness. It's almost like eating a sundae, since it's so full of different types of elements. Today, from Rocky Road brownies and cakes to milkshakes and gourmet hot chocolate, the essence of Rocky Road has found its way into a variety of desserts, establishing its unique position in the world of desserts.

Raindrop Cake

Japan is long known for its innovation and inventiveness, especially in the kitchen. One such creation is the raindrop cake, a transparent cake that looks like a giant drop on the plate. It’s tasteless on its own, and flavor comes from topping of roasted soybean flour and black sugar syrup.