Belgian desserts are a testament to the country’s rich culinary tradition, blending intricate flavors and textures. Renowned globally, Belgian sweets are characterized by their use of high-quality ingredients and artisanal techniques. From world-famous chocolates to delicate pastries, each treat offers a unique taste experience.
Here are the 10 best Belgian desserts you must try: Belgian chocolate, celebrated for its smooth texture and diverse varieties; Liège and Brussels waffles, offering chewy and caramelized versus light and crisp textures; spiced Speculoos cookies; creamy, curd cheese-filled Mattentaart; indulgent Dame Blanche; gooey Cuberdon candies; dense Couque de Dinant biscuits; meringue-based Merveilleux; creamy Tarte au Riz; and thin, crispy Gaufrettes. Each dessert reflects Belgium’s rich culinary heritage, making them essential tastings for any sweet tooth.
Ready to try Belgian Desserts!
Belgian Waffles
Belgian waffles are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and often topped with powdered sugar, fruits, whipped cream, or chocolate. They are a beloved treat in Belgium, known for their deep pockets that hold delicious toppings, making them a favorite dessert or snack.
5 Key Facts
- Distinct Texture: Belgian waffles are known for their light, airy, and crispy texture, which is achieved through a yeast-leavened batter or beaten egg whites.
- Deep Pockets: The waffles have deep pockets, perfect for holding toppings like syrup, fruits, whipped cream, and chocolate.
- Two Main Types: There are two main types of Belgian waffles: Brussels waffles, which are lighter and crispier, and Liège waffles, which are denser and sweeter due to pearl sugar.
- Popular Street Food: In Belgium, waffles are often enjoyed as a street food snack, freshly made and served warm.
- International Popularity: Belgian waffles have gained popularity worldwide, commonly featured in breakfast menus and dessert options in many countries.
Recipes to Try
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Speculoos
Speculoos are spiced shortcrust biscuits from Belgium, known for their rich caramelized flavor and distinct aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Traditionally baked for St. Nicholas Day, they feature intricate designs and have become popular worldwide, often enjoyed with coffee or tea.
5 Key Facts
- Spiced Flavor: Speculoos are characterized by their spiced flavor, typically featuring cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
- Caramelized Sugar: The rich, caramelized taste comes from brown sugar used in the dough.
- Traditional Design: The biscuits often feature intricate designs, traditionally made using wooden molds depicting festive or historical scenes.
- St. Nicholas Day Treat: Speculoos are traditionally baked and enjoyed around St. Nicholas Day on December 6th.
- Versatile Use: Beyond being eaten as biscuits, Speculoos are also used in spreads, ice creams, and as a crumbly topping for various desserts.
Recipes to Try
- Homemade Biscoff (Belgian Speculoos Cookies) Recipe
- How to Make Authentic Speculoos Cookies
- Homemade Speculoos Cookies Recipe
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Chocolate Pralines
Chocolate pralines are exquisite Belgian chocolates filled with a variety of creamy ganaches, nuts, or flavored creams. They are known for their luxurious taste and artistic designs. Pralines are a popular gift and are enjoyed worldwide for their rich flavors and textures.
5 Key Facts
- Belgian Origin: Chocolate pralines originated in Belgium, where they are crafted with meticulous attention to detail and quality.
- Variety of Fillings: Pralines come with a wide range of fillings, including ganache, nuts, liqueurs, and fruit creams.
- Artistic Designs: They are often beautifully decorated and come in various shapes and sizes, showcasing artistic creativity.
- Luxurious Taste: Known for their luxurious taste and smooth texture, pralines are considered a premium chocolate delicacy.
- Global Popularity: Belgian chocolate pralines have gained global popularity and are commonly given as gifts or enjoyed as a treat for special occasions.
Recipes to Try
- Hershey’s Chocolate Pralines Recipe
- Chocolate Pecan Pralines
- Chocolate Pecan Pralines – Welcome to Cumberlachia
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Dame Blanche
Dame Blanche is a classic French dessert featuring vanilla ice cream topped with warm chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Named after the French term for “White Lady,” this indulgent treat contrasts creamy and rich flavors, making it a timeless favorite in French cuisine.
5 Key Facts
- Origin: Dame Blanche is a traditional French dessert, translating to “White Lady” in English.
- Ingredients: It typically includes vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate sauce, and whipped cream.
- Contrast: The dessert is known for its contrast of creamy, cold ice cream and warm, rich chocolate sauce.
- Popularity: It is a classic and popular dessert in French cuisine, often found in French restaurants and patisseries.
- Variations: While the basic recipe remains the same, some variations may include additional toppings like nuts or fruit.
Recipes to Try
- The Lady in Vanilla White – Belgium’s iconic Dame Blanche
- Belgian La Dame Blanche Recipe
- La Dame Blanche | Just A Pinch Recipes
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Tarte au Riz (Rice Tart)
Tarte au Riz, or Rice Tart, is a beloved Belgian dessert. It features a sweet, creamy rice pudding filling nestled in a buttery pastry crust. Often enjoyed with a dusting of powdered sugar, this comforting treat highlights the simple yet delightful flavors of rice and vanilla.
5 Key Facts
- Origin: Tarte au Riz is a traditional Belgian dessert, particularly popular in the region of Liège.
- Ingredients: It consists of a pastry crust filled with sweet, creamy rice pudding.
- Flavor: The tart often features subtle flavors of vanilla and sometimes a hint of nutmeg or cinnamon.
- Serving: It is typically enjoyed as a dessert, often served chilled and dusted with powdered sugar.
- Variations: Some versions may include a layer of custard or fruit preserves between the crust and rice filling for added texture and flavor.
Recipes to Try
- Belgian Rice Tart (Tarte Au Riz) Recipe
- Belgian Tarte Au Riz Inspired Rice Cake
- Rice Tart (Tarte au Riz/Rijsttaart)
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Cuberdon
Cuberdon is a traditional Belgian candy, known for its distinctive cone shape and vibrant purple color. It has a firm, sugary exterior with a soft, gooey raspberry-flavored center. Often called “neuzeke” (little nose) in Dutch, it’s a popular treat with a unique, rich sweetness.
5 Key Facts
- Origin: Cuberdon is a traditional Belgian candy, particularly famous in the Flanders region.
- Shape and Color: It is known for its unique cone shape and typically vibrant purple color.
- Texture: The candy has a firm, sugary exterior with a soft, gooey, jelly-like center.
- Flavor: The classic flavor is raspberry, though variations exist with different fruit flavors.
- Nickname: It is often referred to as “neuzeke” (little nose) in Dutch, due to its nose-like shape.
Recipes to Try
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Liège Waffles
Liège Waffles are Belgian treats originating from the city of Liège. They’re characterized by a rich, chewy texture with caramelized sugar on the outside. These waffles often contain pearl sugar, giving them a sweet crunch. They’re enjoyed plain or with toppings like whipped cream or fruit.
5 Key Facts
- Origin: Liège Waffles originate from the Belgian city of Liège.
- Texture: They have a dense, chewy texture due to the dough being leavened with yeast.
- Pearl Sugar: These waffles are studded with pearl sugar, which caramelizes on the outside during baking.
- Toppings: They are typically enjoyed plain or with toppings like whipped cream, fruits, or chocolate.
- Popularity: Liège Waffles are a popular street food in Belgium and enjoyed as a sweet snack or dessert worldwide.
Recipes to Try
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Merveilleux
Merveilleux is a delicate Belgian dessert consisting of two light meringue layers sandwiched with whipped cream and coated in chocolate shavings or powdered sugar. Originating from Belgium, its name means “marvelous” in French, reflecting its exquisite texture and flavors.
5 Key Facts
- Origin: Merveilleux is a traditional Belgian dessert, originating from the city of Brussels.
- Components: It consists of two meringue layers sandwiched together with whipped cream.
- Coating: The dessert is coated in either chocolate shavings or powdered sugar.
- Varieties: There are variations in flavors and coatings, including coffee, caramel, or speculoos.
- Texture: Merveilleux is known for its light and airy texture, making it a delightful treat for dessert lovers.
Recipes to Try
- Merveilleux (Meringue and Chocolate Cream Sandwich
- The Marvellous Merveilleux Reverse Pavlova
- How to make French Merveilleux cakes
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Couque de Dinant
Couque de Dinant is a traditional Belgian biscuit originating from Dinant in Wallonia. Made from honey, flour, and spices, it’s known for its dense texture and decorative designs. Often shaped into intricate forms, it’s both a local delicacy and a cherished souvenir for visitors.
5 Key Facts
- Origin: Couque de Dinant originates from the town of Dinant in Belgium’s Wallonia region.
- Ingredients: It is made primarily from honey, flour, and spices, giving it a dense and hard texture.
- Decorative Art: These biscuits are famous for their intricate designs and often depict local symbols or scenes.
- Durability: Couque de Dinant is renowned for its durability, sometimes lasting for years without spoiling.
- Souvenir: It serves as both a local delicacy and a popular souvenir for visitors to Dinant, showcasing the region’s culinary heritage.
Recipes to Try
- Couque de Dinant (Belgian cookie) Recipe
- Couque de Rins (Honey Cake with Sugar)
- Couque de Dinant from Dark Rye and Honey Cake
Mattentaart
Mattentaart is a traditional Belgian pastry originating from Geraardsbergen in East Flanders. It features a flaky pastry crust filled with a creamy mixture of curd cheese, eggs, sugar, and sometimes flavored with almonds or raisins. This dessert is cherished for its rich, sweet, and tangy flavors.
5 Key Facts
- Origin: Mattentaart originates from the Belgian town of Geraardsbergen and the surrounding region of East Flanders.
- Ingredients: It consists of a pastry crust filled with a creamy, sweetened cheese filling made from curd cheese (typically matten), eggs, sugar, and sometimes flavored with almonds or raisins.
- Texture: Mattentaart has a soft, creamy texture inside the pastry crust, with a slightly tangy and sweet taste.
- Regional Specialty: It is considered a traditional specialty of the East Flanders region and is often enjoyed as a dessert or with coffee.
- Cultural Significance: Mattentaart has a protected geographical indication (PGI) status in the European Union, recognizing its cultural and historical importance to the region.
Recipes to Try
- Inside the Geraardsbergse Mattentaart (Includes Recipe)
- Mattentaart Recipe from Geraardsbergen Belgium
- Belgium: Mattentaart – Baking Around
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