Orange Zest

Though they are thought to have originated in ancient Phoenicia, melomakaronas are nowadays a typical Greek Christmas treat. These delicious semolina cookies are traditionally flavored with honey, orange zest, cinnamon and other spices, olive oil,... READ MORE

These delectable crêpes prepared à la flambé are doused in beurre Suzette, a sauce made with butter, caramelized sugar, tangerine or orange juice, zest, and orange flavored liqueurs such as Grand Marnier or Cu... READ MORE

Tsoureki is a traditional Easter bread characterized by its braided shape, which can be either circular or elongated like a loaf. Tradition says that tsoureki should be braided in three strands - one for each aspect of the Trinity. The bread is us... READ MORE

A close relative of galaktoboureko—that is distinguished by the use of phyllo sheets—classic Greek galatopita combines semolina, milk, eggs, butter, and sugar into a creamy, custard-like treat. Often enriched with citrus zest ... READ MORE

Orange chicken is an American-Chinese dish that was invented as a variation on General Tso's chicken. The dish consists of battered chicken that is fried with sweet and sour orange and chili sauce. In the United States, a chain restaurant called <... READ MORE

This traditional Greek dessert consists of layered or torn phyllo sheets that are blended with a creamy, orange-flavored yogurt custard. When baked, the cake is doused in a thick, sugary, orange-spiked syrup. Portokalopita is a classic that comes ... READ MORE

Vasilopita is a Greek New Year's cake with a coin or a trinket baked inside of it. The cake is enriched with a sweet flavoring, symbolizing the sweetness and joy of life and hope that the New Year will be abundant in health and happiness. Traditio... READ MORE

This classic French dessert is usually associated with northern and central France regions and belongs to the wide group of king cakes that are prepared and enjoyed on Epiphany—a Christian holiday celebrated on January 6, commemorating the a... READ MORE

Even though its name translates to somló dumpling, this classic Hungarian dessert is actually a trifle cake made of several layers of sponge and custard cream, studded with raisins soaked either in rum or the sweet Tokaji Asz&u... READ MORE

Outside of Greece, loukaniko is typically described as a pork sausage that is generously seasoned with orange zest and fennel. However, in Greece and Cyprus, the term encompasses fresh, smoked, or cured sausages that are prepared with different ty... READ MORE

Aranygaluska, translated as golden dumplings, is a traditional dessert that is believed to have influenced the invention of the popular American monkey bread. It is prepared with soft balls of yeasted dough that are dipped in but... READ MORE

Rapska torta is a traditional cake originating from the Croatian island of Rab, where it was first served in 1177 to Pope Alexander III. This decadent cake is characterized by its signature spiral shape and ingredients such as almonds, lemon zest,... READ MORE

This classic Breton cookie is characterized by its sandy (sablé in French) texture, which is a result of large quantities of butter and egg yolks used to make them. The cookies were first produced in 1670 in Sablé-sur-Sarthe... READ MORE

The history of Nuremberg's gingerbread is closely tied to the city's role as a crossroad of several European trade routes, a position that bestowed the city with spices from distant countries. Nürnberger Lebkuchen are typically large, round g... READ MORE

Greek paximadi is a twice-baked rusk that is traditionally made with barley, but modern-day versions may employ various flour types and significantly vary in form and size. Paximadi comes in both savory and sweet versions that are often flavored w... READ MORE

Flemish waffle is a traditional product consisting of flour, yeast, butter, milk, eggs, salt, and vanilla sugar. Unlike Brussels and Liège waffle, the Flemish variety is usually consumed without any toppings after it has cooled down. It is ... READ MORE

Ranfañote is a Peruvian bread pudding made with toasted pieces of stale bread, walnuts, pecans, currants, port wine or pisco, orange juice and zest, cheese (usually queso fresco), vanilla, and butter. The combination is drenched in chancaca... READ MORE

Dresdner stollen is an aromatic German fruit bread that has been closely associated with Christmas. It consists of buttery yeast dough that is spiced and usually studded with candied orange, lemon peel, sultanas, sweet and bitter almonds, and lemo... READ MORE

Koulourakia is a Greek pastry that is traditionally prepared during the Easter festivities and consumed after the Holy Saturday. It is based on vanilla, butter, and sugar, and are traditionally braided, although they may be shaped into numerous ot... READ MORE

Florentines are traditional cookies that are especially popular in Europe, and although not much is known about their origin, the cookies were most likely invented in France in the late 17th century. They are made with a combination of nuts (most ... READ MORE

Poires au vin is a traditional, world-known French dessert originating from the Beaujolais wine-growing region. It consists of pears, fruity red wine (usually Beaujolais), and flavorings such as honey or sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, orange zest, pepp... READ MORE

Traditionally baked in honor of Saint Phanourios—a martyr and a patron of all things lost—fanouropita is the Greek version of a dense, spiced cake that is also commonly enjoyed during Lent. It is prepared with a dough that combines flo... READ MORE

Samsades is a traditional dessert consisting of phyllo dough that’s rolled around a filling of nuts, baked, and then drenched in sugar or honey syrup, local thyme honey, or grape must (petimezi). The filling typically consists of al... READ MORE

Fat rascals are traditional Yorkshire cakes consisting of shortcrust pastry leftovers, mixed dried fruit, butter, and sugar. The sweet treats are additionally flavored with nutmeg, cinnamon, and lemon zest. They have been made in Yorkshire since t... READ MORE

Red bean soup is a classic Chinese soup that is commonly consumed as a dessert, made from red azuki beans, lotus seeds, and tangerine or orange peel. The soup isn't too sweet, and has a subtle sweetness instead, ideal for rounding off a large Chin... READ MORE

Named after the acclaimed Finnish poet, the Runeberg cake is a small, cylinder-shaped delicacy prepared with a combination of wheat and almond flour. The cake is characterized by strong ginger and cardamom flavors, and a tender, dense texture. Thi... READ MORE

Rafioli are shortbread cookies with a flavorful almond filling, enjoyed in many cities throughout Dalmatia where they are a staple of every important life event, from baptisms and weddings to funerals. Although the exact origin of these sweet trea... READ MORE

Greek-style rice pudding is a popular dish that is usually enjoyed as a sweet breakfast, a light afternoon snack, or a comforting dessert. In its basic form, it consists of rice and milk that are slowly cooked and vigorously stirred until they tra... READ MORE

Traditionally prepared and eaten on Good Friday and during Lent, hot cross buns are subtly sweet spiced buns made with a rich yeast dough that is studded with dry fruit. The top of each bun is marked with a cross, typically made with shortcrust pa... READ MORE

Often dubbed as the Corsican take on cheesecake, fiadone is a traditional dessert prepared with brocciu (fresh whey cheese made from goat's or ewe’s milk), eggs, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Occasionally, oranges are used ins... READ MORE

Game pie is a traditional dish consisting of a pastry shell filled with rich gravy and slowly cooked game meat such as venison, rabbit, and pheasant. The dish is typically prepared during the colder months, since the British game season usually ru... READ MORE

Traditionally served on Christmas morning, Guyanese pepperpot is the national dish of Guyana, the third-smallest country on mainland South America. It is a rich and hearty meat stew that was originally invented by the Amerindians, the indigenous p... READ MORE

Kroštule are traditional Croatian pastries originating from the regions of Istria and Dalmatia. They are made by deep-frying ribbon-shaped dough. The dough consists of flour, sugar, egg yolks, oil, and milk. It is traditionally flavored wit... READ MORE

The delicate nonnettes, or jam-filled individual cakes, are one of the classic French desserts. Although there are several different variations of the cake, essentially all of them are gingerbread cakes that are filled with aromatic orange jams an... READ MORE

Skradinska torta is a unique Croatian cake originating from Skradin, hence the name. Although endless debates about certain ingredients (orange zest, lemon zest, Maraschino, mint, cinnamon) still exist, it is believed that only a few women from Sk... READ MORE

Unusually, pan de Pascua can be literally translated as Easter cake, but this sweat bread is traditionally eaten at Christmas time. In line with the Italian panettone and the German stollen, two holiday breads from which... READ MORE

Cherries jubilee is a decadent dessert made with a combination of dark cherries and Kirschwasser liqueur that's flambéed before being served as a sauce over scoops of vanilla ice cream. It was invented by Auguste Escoffier, who prepared the... READ MORE

Simnel cake is an English dessert that is traditionally prepared during the Easter festivities. The base is made with flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and (sometimes) milk. Once prepared, the batter is combined with dried fruit such as currants, sultan... READ MORE

Øllebrød is a traditional rye bread porridge that is usually served as a sweet and nutritious breakfast. It consists of a mixture of stale rye bread soaked in water, milk, or traditional Danish beer, which is later cooked until it ac... READ MORE

This tart with a long tradition originates from the town of Imotski, and consists of a shortcrust pastry base and a flavorful almond filling. Both are heavily seasoned with various spices and different types of alcohol, from prošek... READ MORE

Banbury cake is a traditional thin pastry filled with fruit and spices, originating from the town of Banbury. The pastry is made with a combination of puff pastry, butter, currants, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, mace, ginger, rose water, beaten egg whi... READ MORE

Similar to a porridge or a pudding, mämmi is a traditional dish prepared with a combination of rye flour, rye malt, and water. After it has been soaked, it is typically seasoned with dark molasses syrup, and the mixture is then baked in the o... READ MORE