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19 Worst Rated Eastern European Desserts

Last update: Sun May 18 2025
19 Worst Rated Eastern European Desserts
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01

Pudding

UKRAINE and  3 more regions
3.3
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Kutia is a Ukrainian, Russian, Belarusian, and Polish sweet grain pudding that is traditionally served as part of a twelve-meal Christmas Eve supper. Interestingly enough, this festive treat is believed to have existed long before Christianity.


It is made with wheat, berries, honey or sugar, nuts, raisins, and poppy seeds. On Christmas Eve, before consuming the dish, a small bowl of kutia is traditionally placed outdoors as a bribe to Father Frost, then some of the kutia is tossed to the ceiling, and the number of grains that stick to the ceiling are used to predict next year's agricultural prosperity.

02
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Pelamushi is a Georgian dessert made with pressed and condensed grape juice, sugar, and flour. The liquid is gradually heated until it thickens, and it is then poured into serving dishes, bowls, or various molds, in order to create attractive shapes.


When fully chilled, pelamushi is ready to be served, and it is recommended to garnish it with various nuts and seeds.

03
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Mishka na severe or Bear in the North started as an iconic Soviet candy from Leningrad, but over time it's been made into a cake inspired by the candy's flavors. Although there's no standard recipe, and every household had its own version, the cake's layers are usually made with a combination of flour, sugar, sour cream, butter, cocoa powder, baking soda, vanilla, and salt, while the creamy filling that goes between the layers is made with sour cream, powdered sugar, and walnuts or hazelnuts.


Once assembled, the surface of the cake is covered with the remaining creamy filling, and it's then decorated with chopped nuts. After it has been well chilled, it's recommended to serve the cake with a cup of tea on the side.

04

Dessert

GEORGIA and  4 more regions
3.6
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Churchkhela is a traditional Caucasian candy that is shaped into a sausage. This candy is made by dipping a long string of nuts (usually walnut halves) in concentrated grape juice, then leaving the concoction to dry.


It is so healthy and so nutritious that, in the past, it was even carried by Georgian warriors on their long journeys. Although walnuts are usually used in the preparation of churchkhela, they can be replaced by almonds, hazelnuts, or raisins.

05
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Kissel is an interesting fruit combination, often referred to as a dessert drink or soup, usually made with refreshing summer berries. It is prepared with water, mashed fruit or fruit juice, and thickening agents such as cornstarch or potato starch.


Kissel can be served hot or cold, and depending on the amount of starch, its consistency varies from liquid to firm and creamy. Liquid kissel is most often served as a drink, or a soup variation, when it is combined with sliced fruit and eaten with a spoon. 

MOST ICONIC Kissel

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06
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Shekerbura is a simple and delicate sweet pastry, enjoying the status of one of the most famous Azerbaijani desserts. The tender pastry shell is made with a simple butter-based dough, which is then filled with a sweet nut filling. Frequent nut varieties used in shekerbura are ground almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts.


The shell is intricately decorated with different geometrical shapes, transforming this sweet delicacy into a decorative dessert. Shekerbura pastries are always made in a crescent form, strongly resembling the moon, and are traditionally served during Novruz, an annual celebration welcoming spring and the renewal of nature. 

MOST ICONIC Shekarbura

07

Dessert

TATARSTAN, Russia
3.6
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Talkish kaleve is a traditional dessert originating from Tatarstan. These small pyramids are usually made with a combination of wheat flour, butter, honey, sugar, and water. The butter and flour are cooked in a pan, and the combination is then mixed with honey, water, and sugar.


The complicated process of making talkish kaleve involves chilling the mass until it thickens, and it's then stretched, folded, and stretched again until it splits into thin white fibers.. The fibers are placed in small cups and left to chill before they're taken out of the cups and served.

08

Deep-fried Dessert

AZERBAIJAN and  2 more countries
3.7
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Although it is believed to have its origins in Persia, zulbia or jalebi is an international dessert with variations that spread throughout the Middle East, India, and Asia. In its basic form, this sweet dessert is created by combining flour with yogurt or ghee, as well as baking soda or yeast to create a batter which is then poured in circular patterns directly into the sizzling oil.


The final result is a crispy treat that is then doused in a thick syrup, which can be flavored with rosewater, saffron, honey, orange blossom water, or cardamom. In both Iran and India, zulbia is served on special occasions, and it is usually sprinkled with chopped pistachios or saffron threads. 
09
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Zefir is a popular dessert prepared throughout the former Soviet Union, similar to marshmallows in texture and consisting of puréed apples or other fruits, pectin, and whipped egg whites. Because it contains virtually no fat, it is considered an extremely healthy treat.


This sweet treat comes in a variety of flavors such as cherry, strawberry, or cream, and it can be additionally coated in chocolate. It is believed that the dish is named after a light wind, referring to its light and airy texture. For the best experience, it is recommended to pair zefir with a cup of black coffee on the side.

MOST ICONIC Zefir

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10

Dessert

TATARSTAN, Russia
3.7
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Çäkçäk or chak-chak is a traditional dessert originating from Tatarstan. It's usually made from unleavened dough that's cut and rolled into small balls, and the balls are then deep-fried in hot oil. Dried fruits and hazelnuts are sometimes added to the dough.


Once fried, these small balls are stacked in a mound and drizzled over with hot honey. Once this sticky dessert cools, it can be garnished with dried fruits and hazelnuts, if desired. Çäkçäk is often made for special occasions such as weddings.

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Dessert
KOLOMNA, Russia
3.9
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Cake
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia
3.9

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “19 Worst Rated Eastern European Desserts” list until May 18, 2025, 4,088 ratings were recorded, of which 2,492 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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Eastern European Desserts