1. Sweet „túró” cottage cheese dumpling: the Hungarians' favourite

Hungarian „túró” is completely unique in the world: it is a soft, crumbly dairy product, most comparable to the cottage cheese known abroad. It can be used as a base or as an accompaniment for many different cakes and Hungarian dishes.

For example, for sweet cottage cheese dumpling: cooked dumplings made from Hungarian cottage cheese, eggs, semolina and sugar are rolled in toasted breadcrumbs and served with powdered sugar and sour cream. Sweet cottage cheese dumplings are one of the locals' favourite choices for a Sunday lunch.

Tip: Try it at Café Astoria Restaurant - 1053 Budapest, Kossuth Lajos u. 19. 

2. Plum dumpling: the real flavour of summer

The plum dumpling, although similar in appearance to the sweet cottage cheese dumpling, is a completely different dessert. These dumplings are traditionally made from potato dough and filled with sweet plums.

Finally, they are rolled in breadcrumbs and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. A filling and refreshing plum dessert, the real star of the summer - you simply can't miss it. One thing's for sure: whether you're interested in sweet cottage cheese dumplings or plum dumplings, you will love them both!

Tip: Try it in Buda, at Tiltott Csíki Söröző és Étterem -1024 Budapest, Keleti Károly utca 9. 

3. Strudel: crispy layers, delicious fillings

Strudel is truly a classic dessert among Hungarian pastries — it has been part of the festive table for centuries. Imagine a thin, crispy layer, filled richly with a sweet or savoury filling. Traditional versions include Hungarian cottage cheese, sour cherry, poppy seed, apple and cabbage strudel, but combinations of these and other flavours are also available. It tastes best when still warm — get ready for an intense culinary experience!

Tip:  Try it in the city centre at the Első Pesti Rétesház - First Strudel House in Pest - 1051 Budapest Október 6. utca 22.

4.  Pancake: the iconic dessert of the Hungarian cuisine

Hungarian pancake is a simple but great dessert. It is a thin, rolled-up dessert prepared from batter and served with various fillings. Most places offer cocoa, jam, cottage cheese and hazelnut spread fillings. But for a real Hungarian treat, you must try the Gundel pancakes! The Gundel pancake is filled with chopped walnuts, rum, raisins and served with a dark chocolate sauce — the divine recipe which made Hungarian gastronomy famous worldwide at the beginning of the 20th century.

Tip: Try the Gundel pancakes, at the Gundel Restaurant in the City Park- 1146 Budapest, Gundel Károly út 4.

5. Krémes: the amazing vanilla custard dessert

Krémes has been a favourite Hungarian pastry since the early 20th century, but its variations existed in Europe centuries earlier. A thick but light vanilla cream is placed between two thin crispy pastry sheets and the top is sprinkled with powdered sugar. In addition to the classic creamy “krémes”, you can now also find jam, coffee or chocolate versions.

One bite of this creamy dessert and you will feel like being in paradise!

 +1. Chimney cake: the perfect afternoon snack

Chimney cake is a street delicacy: there are many stalls around the city making this special Hungarian wonderful dessert. The dough, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, is baked on a rotating cylinder to give it its characteristic chimney shape.

The sugar on the outside gets caramelised during baking, giving the dessert a shiny coating. It is flavoured while still hot: traditionally it is rolled in crushed walnuts, cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla or poppy seeds, but nowadays you can also get almond, hazelnut or coconut versions.

Tip: Try it at Molnár's Kürtőskalács  - 1052 Budapest, Váci u 31.

Source: Budapestinfo.hu - republished with permission