The simple and nutritious nudle s mákem is a dish consisting of wide, thin wheat pasta that is doused in copious amounts of melted butter, and then dusted with poppy seeds and sugar. Once considered a rich and luscious meal, today it represents a frugal, but a beloved dish that is enjoyed as a sweet main course or a filling dessert.

Even though it is usually associated with the Czech Republic, the exact origin of the dish is still unknown, while similar varieties are found in many Central and Eastern European countries under various names. In Austria, a similar dish is known as mohnnudeln, prepared with thick and short potato noodles, while the Serbian version from Vojvodina is called rezanci s makom.

Čupavci are traditional Croatian cakes that are also popular in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and throughout the Balkans under different names. They consist of a sponge cake that is dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with finely desiccated coconut. Čupavci are extremely popular due to their climate suitability as they don't dry out when cut into bite-sized squares and covered in coconut.

A very similar cake can also be found in Australia and New Zealand in many supermarkets, cafés, and bakeries, and it's known as lamington, but this variety is often made with a layer of fruit jam, unlike its European counterpart. In Croatia, čupavci are a Christmas staple. 

Rakott palacsinta is a Hungarian crepe cake consisting of layered pancakes with a delicious filling between each pancake. The pancakes are typically prepared with milk, flour, and eggs, while the filling often includes ingredients such as fruit jam, ground walnuts, poppy seeds, and cottage cheese.

The cake is usually topped with beaten egg whites, and it is then baked until golden brown. After baking, the top layer is sometimes covered in melted chocolate.

This classic Hungarian dessert – translated as Russian cream cake – is believed to have been invented by a renowned pastry chef at the famed Oroszi Kávéház—Russian Coffee House—in Budapest.

The cake is assembled out of multiple sponge layers and vanilla-infused cream that is dotted with rum-soaked raisins. Although rich and lavishly decorated with whipped cream, the cake is characterized by its light texture and refreshing flavor. It is usually enjoyed at traditional Hungarian coffee houses and is best served accompanied by a cup of strong coffee.

This simple, sweet bread pudding known as mákos guba is one of the most popular Hungarian desserts that was traditionally associated with Christmastime. This layered sweet treat consists of soaked white bread and a creamy mixture of flavored poppy seeds.

Nowadays the dish is enjoyed all year round, and it appears in many variations that often incorporate nuts, dry fruit, or sliced apples. Whether it is shortly baked until crispy or served chilled, it is typically drizzled with vanilla custard or dusted with powdered sugar.

Gesztenye szelet is a traditional cake originating from Hungary, where it's a coffeehouse staple. The cake is usually made with a combination of chestnut purée, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, flour, salt, brandy, heavy cream, and dark chocolate.

The eggs are mixed with sugar over a pot of simmering water until it's tripled in volume, light, and fluffy. Chestnut purée, vanilla, salt, and flour are folded in, and the batter is spread evenly in a greased baking pan. The cake is baked until golden, and then left to cool. 

This sweet chilled soup made with sour cherries and sour cream is a traditional summertime dish. Also known as hideg meggyleves, meggykeszőce or cseresznyeleves, it is prepared throughout the country as soon as cherries come into season.

Although one might be tempted to eat it as a dessert, in Hungary, this tart and creamy soup is generally served before the main course, as it makes for a refreshing alternative to the standard meat and starch fare.

This classic Hungarian dessert consists of two layers of chocolate sponge held together by a luscious, mousse-like cocoa cream filling which is sometimes flavored with a splash of dark rum, while the cake itself is typically covered in a rich dark chocolate ganache.

Rigó Jancsi is said to have been invented at the turn of the 20th century and named after a famous Hungarian Gypsy violinist who seduced and eventually married Clara Ward, the daughter of an American millionaire named Eber Brock Ward and the wife of Belgian Prince de Caraman-Chimay. 

A traditional Hungarian-Jewish dessert known as flódni is a layered cake with walnut, apple, plum jam, and poppyseed fillings. The dough is made with flour, salt, sugar, butter, egg yolks, and white wine, while the fillings are enriched with lemon juice, cinnamon, chocolate, white wine, honey, and cloves.

Flódni is especially popular during the festive holiday season – some bake it for Hanukkah or Christmas, while others prepare it for New Year’s Eve.