It's no secret that Greece is known for its fabulous food. The Greek people love to cook and eat! But it's about much more than that.

Food on this glorious collection of Mediterranean islands symbolizes hospitality, generosity, tradition, and love.

Making meals is often a family affair that bonds members across generations. Desserts are no exception.

Many of these sweet treats have a long history, dating back to ancient times. They contain humble, yet rich and flavorful ingredients from the region.

We often find running themes in traditional Greek desserts, like flaky, phyllo, honey, olive oil, and nuts. Yet no two are ever the same.

Through the years, I've been fortunate enough to learn about the art of Greek desserts from my extended family. From that, I was able to compile a diverse collection of recipes for Greek desserts.

Below you'll find something for every skill level and taste. So let's take a look at some classic Greek desserts!

1. Baklava

Baklava is one of the most common Greek desserts, but it's also an iconic classic that never gets old. That's because there are so many variations of this comforting food.

This tasty take on the nutty dessert can be prepared in about 40 minutes, and you'll get 24 delicious pieces. You will need to set aside 2 hours for baking, but it's well worth it.

Layered with crispy, buttered sheets of filo that are filled with chopped walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and ground cloves, it's so easy to make.

Finish it off with an aromatic, citrus-filled honey syrup for a refreshing flavor that is just the right amount of sweet for breakfast, dessert, or a midday snack.

2. Loukoumades

Spoil your family on a Sunday morning with these indulgent, bite-size Greek doughnuts.

Think Munchkin's, but crispier and loaded with fresh honey, cinnamon, and walnuts. The deep-fried delights take a little over an hour to prepare, but only 20 minutes to fry them in hot oil.

The actual mixing of the simple ingredients takes only a few minutes, but you'll need to give the dough time to rise. Once the doughnuts are cooked, set them on a paper towel and drizzle with honey, walnuts and cinnamon.

Feel free to drizzle other things like chocolate sauce or caramel. If you're a perfectionist, use a melon baller for the perfectly formed dough balls.

3. Melomakarona

These honey-dipped cookies are adorable ovals with the appearance of tiny loaves of multi-grain bread. But this mouthwatering dessert is full of sweet, warm, fresh orange flavors.

They're easy to make with wholesome ingredients like flour, walnuts, cinnamon, cloves, orange zest and a drop of cognac. Limber up your fingers because kneading is key for this recipe - it's vital to work the oils in to ensure they come out moist.

Physical prep and cooking time takes a total of only 30 minutes, but you will need to let them rest for at least two hours. Once they've fully cooled comes the fun (and most delicious) part.

Take the cookies and dip them into the heated honey syrup. Top with walnuts or sesame seeds and enjoy any time of day!

4. Kourabiedes

The secret to these amazing almond butter cookies is to use fresh quality butter. You'll need to spend about 15–20 minutes mixing the butter and powdered sugar, but it's well worth it for these delightful crescent-shaped symbols of Greek hospitality.

With hints of orange and vanilla, these cookies are easy to make and stay fresh for up to a month (not that they'll last that long).

These hand rolled dough balls can be covered in powdered sugar or cinnamon and make great gifts during the holidays.

5. Vasilopita

This sweet cake is super easy to make and uses the most basic ingredients, so it's a great recipe for first-time bakers or if you're short on time.

It's only 20 minutes to prep but has the rich flavors of orange and vanilla in every moist bite. The simple topping of white as snow icing sugar gives a holiday feel all on its own.

But feel free to add decorative accents of holiday cheer for extra warmth and elegance.

6. Trigona Panoramatos

This dessert is the perfect combination of crispy and creamy. Reminiscent of a cream puff, this rich treat uses layers of phyllo dough that overflows with smooth vanilla custard, and is topped off with a drizzle of warm, sweet syrup.

This one takes some time, but if you're looking to impress, it's definitely worth it. These tasty pockets take about an hour to prep, including cutting the phyllo triangles, mixing the custard, and making the syrup.

You'll need to ball up parchment paper to seperate the layers of dough to fill them with custard. A pastry bag will be needed to fill the triangles with the sweet cream mixture.

They'll also take about an hour to bake. Be sure to line your baking sheet with parchment paper, so the triangles don't stick.

7. Tsoureki

Are you in the mood for beautifully braided bread?

How about bread with a soft and fluffy dough and crispy brown crust?

If you answered yes to any of these, then this traditional Greek Easter bread is one to try. Though there's many easy Greek desserts, this sweet bread typically is not one of them. But never fear, this recipe makes it easy, even if you've never made bread before.

The prep is only 30 minutes and the braiding of the dough is easy as long as you stretch it out evenly. Be sure to let all the ingredients reach room temperature.

The ingredients are pretty basic - except for mastic and mahlab. However, both can be found in Greek markets or online. Mastic is dried resin from trees that only grow on the Greek island of Chios.

Mahlab is ground from the pit of a wild cherry and gives the bread a nutty floral flavor. This bread is great for the holidays or special family dinners.

8. Milopita

This easy to make apple cake presents like a simple round pound cake, but it's bursting with warm, hearty, moist flavors.

This is a dense cake full of brown sugar, yogurt, cinnamon, vanilla, eggs, and chopped apples. It takes only 25 minutes to mix together and 40 minutes to bake.

Top it with powdered sugar and ice cream for extra sweetness. It's terrific for after dinner coffee, with tea at breakfast, or to take to a brunch.

9. Halvas

This tasty Greek pudding is popular at Lent because this vegan recipe is also non-dairy, non-butter, and egg free.

It's a simple mixture of semolina that's toasted in oil until it's a paste. Then add raisins, clove powder, and a pinch of cinnamon. Finally, make the sweet syrup and add it to the semolina. Spoon into individual cups and chill.

The naturally earthy sweetness makes this light dessert perfect for the warm weather.

10. Galaktoboureko

Feeding a crowd?

This custard based dessert encased in layers of phyllo is easy to make, it's unassuming, but everyone is sure to enjoy the rich flavors.

The bright yellow, creamy custard and golden brown pastry takes only 30 minutes to prepare. What sets this dessert apart from others like it is the use of vanilla bean paste. It will give the custard an intense, sweet flavor.

The pastry takes about 30 minutes to bake, so that will give you time to make the honey syrup. When everything is ready, pour the cooled syrup over the hot cake. Try to eat the same day because it tends to become soggy.

11. Bougatsa

If you love custard and phyllo based desserts, you'll love this bougatsa recipe. It calls for semolina mixed with vanilla cream, so it's a bit more hearty than the usual creamy filling.

This makes it great for breakfast, brunch, or an early dessert before an evening stroll.

The 20-minute prep is super easy; it's just a matter of mixing the simple filling of eggs, butter, milk, vanilla, semolina, and sugar. In a baking pan, layer 4–5 pieces of phyllo. Spread on the custard and a few more layers of phyllo, then bake for 40 minutes.

The result is an amazing combination of crispy crust and smooth cream. Dust with powdered sugar and eat while warm for a heavenly treat!

12. Sokolatopita

Classic, homemade chocolate cake has never been easier or more satisfying. Its deep chocolate colors make for an impressive presentation; the only thing better is the flavor.

The cake is soaked in syrup, so it's super moist. The already rich chocolate flavor is made more intense by the addition of a chocolate ganache which can be spread on top or served on the side.

The prep time of 30 minutes is divided between mixing the batter, boiling the syrup, and making the ganache. All the steps are quick and easy, and the cake takes only 30 minutes to bake.

This amazing dessert makes a terrific birthday cake for any chocolate lover.

13. Ravani

Coconut lovers will rejoice with this vibrantly colored, classic dessert. The citrusy syrup is infused into the fluffy cake to make for one of the most delicious of traditional Greek desserts.

The process takes about 90 minutes from start to finish. Be sure to let the cake cool and pour the syrup on while it's hot. Top with some pistachios for extra crunch.

14. Portokalopita

If you're new to working with phyllo, this delightful orange dessert is the perfect way to start. Unlike typical phyllo recipes, this one calls for you to dry the dough out, so let it sit for about 20 minutes.

Then crumble the sheets into a mix with yogurt, orange juice, sugar, egg, and oil and whisk until smooth.

Bake for about 50 minutes then top it off with a thick, cinnamon orange syrup that goes great with coffee or a strong cup of tea.

15. Karitopita

This flourless cake has a deeply rich brown color and thick texture. The flavor is similar to baklava but is more intense. Instead of flour, galeta (powdered breadcrumbs) is used to give it a dense texture.

The ingredients can be easily blended in a hand mixer. Cinnamon, clove, orange, and a splash of cognac give the dessert a beautiful aroma and unique flavor.

Add to that, the decadent syrup made with sugar, honey, vanilla, and orange juice, makes for a tasty finish to any meal.

16. Melopita

The key to this crust free cheese pie is to ensure the eggs are room temperature and use good quality ricotta cheese.

Other than that, this light and refreshing dessert is so easy to make, and takes only a short time to whisk together the simple ingredients in a single bowl.

Pour the fluffy custard into a pan and bake for about 45 minutes. Drizzle with honey and serve

17. Kolokithopita

If you love pumpkin pie, you need to give this traditional Greek version a whirl. Made with flaky phyllo dough, it's lighter than the pie crust version.

The raw, fresh pumpkin shreds are mixed with rice and fall spices for a warm and comfortable experience that's loaded with earthy goodness. Be sure to squeeze out the excess moisture from the shredded pumpkin before mixing in the other ingredients.

Brush 4 or 5 layers of phyllo dough with olive oil, then spread on the pumpkin mixture. Cover it with a few more pieces of dough and bake for around 40 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

Dust with some powdered sugar and top with a dollop of vanilla ice cream for a hearty after-dinner delight.

18. Kataifi

This truly unique looking pastry is typically made with shredded kataifi dough that resembles spaghetti. Add to that cinnamon, clove, butter and walnuts.

Once baked to a crispy golden brown, you'll pile it up, so it looks similar to a birds' nest and, while still hot, pour a cold, cinnamon sugar syrup over it for a sweet treat that will melt in your mouth.

19. Moustokouloura

These traditional Greek cookies look like cinnamon doughnuts and are quick and easy to make (only 15 minutes).

There's no butter or dairy, so vegan folks can happily indulge. Just whisk the well sifted flour in with sugar, cinnamon, clove powder, and grape molasses.

Divide into small lumps and knead into a rope that you connect at the ends. Bake for 20 minutes and add some powdered sugar before serving warm with coffee or ice-cold milk.

20. Flaouna

This recipe will give you a lovely basket full of spiced cheese pastries that have the texture of a biscuit.

Full disclosure: this fabulous recipe entails some pretty intense prep that will take about an hour. So gather the troops and make it a family affair.

The main ingredient is flaounas cheese, but feel free to substitute haloumi and some mild cheddar.

Make the filling the day before and let it rest in the fridge. It will give the spices a chance to settle in and give a more intense flavor.

The next day, roll out the dough, add the filling, fold and bake. They're great as a stand-alone breakfast or after dinner treat.

21. Tulumba

Tulumba is a deep-fried pastry made from an easy-to-make dough.

What makes these vegetarian treats stand out is the lemon infused syrup they are soaked in. It's the perfect combination of crispy and moist.

Use a pastry bag to give the dough a tubular shape and then cut into bite-sized pieces before frying. They make a tasty after school or work snack!

22. Yiaourtopia

This aromatic, soft sponge cake will fill your house with the citrusy scents of lemon and orange, while filling your hearts with glee over the refreshingly yummy taste.

This simple recipe looks like a classic pound cake but packs much more of a flavorful punch with creamy yogurt, orange juice, lemon, and vanilla powder.

It's extremely easy to make, and the 8-serving cake will be ready to serve in about an hour.

23. Fanouropita

This simple, vegan orange cake is spiced with cinnamon and can be prepped all in one bowl in a scant 15 minutes.

The wholesome ingredients of castor sugar, raisins, walnuts, flour, cinnamon and orange, once mixed, can be poured into a square pan and baked for an hour.

Top the finished product with powdered sugar or fresh fruit, and you've got a healthy dessert that's fit for any age and lifestyle!

24. Amygdalota

There's nothing quite as satisfying and upscale as the classic almond cookie, and this recipe makes it easy to have them on hand for any occasion.

Made with almond flour, egg whites, and sugar, they're gluten-free and not overly sweet. They take less than 40 minutes from the hand mixer to a serving platter.

Use a piping bag to squeeze the dough through a star-shaped tip to achieve the look of beautiful flowers in half bloom.

Add slivered almonds on top for an even greater visual presentation.

25. Pasteli

Make these Greek power bars once, and you'll never buy them from the store again!

These sesame-based treats are a great source of protein, calcium, and iron, so you can confidently serve them as part of a healthy breakfast, in the kids' lunchbox, or leave them out for snacks in between meals.

These crispy, crunchy sweets take only 20 minutes to prepare, 10 minutes to bake and use only two ingredients - honey and sesame seeds!

26. Sfakianopita

This simple feta cheese pie is simply delicious. It's a great little dessert to make if you're short on time.

You'll use just 20 minutes of your time to make it. Mix the staple ingredients to make the dough and knead for about 10 minutes.

Add the crumbled feta, lemon juice, and a splash of brandy and knead again until well combined. Separate the dough into 5 parts, roll flat and fry them up.

Add whatever toppings you like (honey, yogurt, preserves), and serve as a tasty alternative to pancakes for breakfast or cake after dinner.

27. Rizogalo

Rice pudding gets kicked up a notch with this traditional and delicious Greek version. The infusion of orange, vanilla and cinnamon gives this creamy dessert a delightful fragrance that will fill the house with a warm aroma that evokes the best memories of past holidays, as you make new ones.

There's no cream, eggs, butter, or condensed milk, so it's healthy and gluten-free. It can be served warm or cold with any toppings you like.

Consider using risotto or short grain rice - the extra starch will give it an even creamier texture.

28. Diples

This fried dessert looks similar to an egg roll and is particularly popular around Christmas in Greece.

Making the homemade dough takes about an hour, but it's not hard, and the ingredients consist of basics like flour, sugar, eggs, and some more unique items like white wine vinegar, lemon, and orange juice.

You'll need to cut the dough into triangles and fold carefully, but it won't take long to get the hang of it.

Once the rolls have been fried to their crispy goodness, drizzle with warm cinnamon honey syrup and add crushed walnuts for extra crunch.

29. Tiganites

Rumor has it that the first pancake was made in Greece. While that can't be proven, it is a fact that this recipe for Greek pancakes is downright delightful.

Fluffy and golden brown, they're topped with crushed walnuts and honey for a satisfying breakfast, brunch item, or late night snack.

It's a quick 15-minute prep to mix the batter and takes only 10–15 minutes to cook depending on the size of your griddle. You can add fresh fruit, preserves, or yogurt for some extra flavor.

30. Kariokes

If you have chocolate lovers in your life, this traditional Greek dessert is a must make!

These double chocolate treats are so easy it would probably take more time to go to the bakery. The crescent shaped finger food takes only 15 minutes to prep, and they're no bake!

Although there are a few minutes of boiling involved. The filling is made with tea biscuits, dark chocolate, walnuts, sugar, orange and lemon.

Mix it well then separate into three rolls, wrap on plastic and store in the fridge overnight. The next day, prepare the coating by boiling water, sugar, chocolate, and butter.

Slice the rolls and dip in the chocolate sauce. This recipe will give you about fifty fabulous pieces!

31. Kalitsounia

These adorable cheese pastries are like having your own personal-sized pie. A traditional holiday dessert on the island of Crete, they also make a great breakfast or after dinner treat.

Made with fresh dough that adds flavors of strained yogurt, lemon and orange zest, and vanilla, the key is to knead it by hand and let it rest for 30 minutes.

For the filling, combine mascarpone, ricotta (or myzithra), sugar, egg, and cinnamon. When the dough is ready, scoop the cheese onto four inch squares.

Fold the dough up around the cheese mix and brush with egg wash. Bake for about 25 minutes and enjoy. Drizzle with some honey for extra sweetness.

32. Samali

This sweet cake is delicate looking and can be served any time of day, for any occasion. It's laden with a delicious sticky syrup.

Made with semolina, orange juice, and yogurt (instead of eggs), the texture is moist and creamy. It takes about 30 minutes to prep. The key is to let it sit for a few hours before baking for 30 minutes.

It comes out of the oven crispy and toasted on the outside, so feel free to add ice cream, whipped cream, or more yogurt.

33. Troufakia

These chocolate truffles are delicate in appearance, but are a flavor powerhouse! The best part is there's no baking involved!

Just three easy steps and you'll have about 25 crunchy, creamy, melt in your mouth sweets that are perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any day.

Mix together crushed tea biscuits, walnuts, a pinch of cognac, cocoa powder, heavy cream and roll the batter into balls.

Refrigerate for 3–4 hours. Then dredge in melted dark chocolate and chocolate sprinkles.

34. Greek Jam Tart Recipe

This traditional tart is commonly served with coffee throughout the day in Greece. The simple dough can easily be made in a mixer and pressed down into a glass baking dish.

Then add your favorite apricot jam and strips of dough in whatever fun pattern you like.

Pop it in the oven for about 35 minutes, and you've got a fruity pastry for breakfast, a snack, or an after-dinner treat.

35. Mosaiko

Make this chocolate salami once, and you're guaranteed to have everyone requesting it for every possible holiday and get together you're a part of. It's so much fun and absolutely mouthwatering.

There's no actual salami meat involved, but it's named as such because when all is said and done it has the shape and even the texture of a roll of salami.

It takes only 20 minutes and there is no baking involved. Just mix together the tea biscuit crumbs, butter, cocoa powder, walnuts, and orange zest. Transfer the mix to parchment paper and roll it up. Then, wrap it again - tightly - in plastic wrap.

Place it in the fridge for a mousse consistency. For more of a semifreddo or chocolate bar texture, stick it in the fridge for 3–4 hours. It's a fun dessert for kids' parties, movie night, or just because (it's so easy).

36. Vyssino Glyko Koutaliou

If you want to impress guests - make this sour cherry preserve. It's positively addictive, and you can put it on anything from toast and baklava to cheesecake and ice cream.

Mix it in with yogurt, granola, or fresh fruit for layered flavors that are out of this world. The best part is, it couldn't be easier. Just get a cherry pitter and pit them over a pot to catch the juice.

Then pour in sugar and water and let them sit covered for 24 hours.

The next day, place the pot to boil on the stove. Remove any foam with a slotted spoon and add a few squirts of lemon. After about 15 minutes of boiling, remove and let cool.

Place the preserves in jars and store in the fridge. This is a vegan recipe, so you can give them to just about anyone!

37. Roxakia

If you're on the search for a delicious vegan pastry that's easy and inexpensive as well - this is a must-try. It's popular in many regions of Greece during Lent since it's free of so many forbidden ingredients.

There are two layers of dough - one chocolate and one vanilla. Both are made with a touch of orange juice for a refreshing citrus flavor.

After baking, you'll cover them in a tasty syrup dripping in lemony orange and vanilla flavors. The result is a black and white pastry gleaming in decadent syrup.

38. Kourkoubinia

You could easily mistake these sweet bites for those classic pretzel barrels, until you bite into them and get a mouthwatering taste of warm spices and buttery phyllo dough.

This dessert is great for people who have never used phyllo before. It's quick and simple to layer the dough and brush each square with butter.

Roll them up, brush with water to seal them and bake for 90 minutes. Meanwhile, make a simple syrup of lemon or orange zest, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. When the rolls are done, cut them into bite-sized logs and smother in the syrup.

39. Finikia

These honey syrup sugar cookies are a holiday staple throughout Greece. They're easy to make and take only 20 minutes of prep time. One batch will yield 40 heavenly, bite-size cookies.

They're made with simple ingredients like semolina, cinnamon, coconut, beer (or club soda), cloves, lemon and honey. Just mix your dough, bake, and drizzle the honey - lemon syrup on when they're done.

This recipe is easily doubled if you're expecting a crowd.

📖 Recipe