From the classic Cremeschnitte to lesser-known but no less tasty treats like Krapfen, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this list of Austrian desserts!
Austrian desserts are renowned for their deliciousness and fantastic variety.
They are as varied as the country’s landscape, from the towering peaks of the Alps to the verdant vineyards of the Central Plains.
While chocolate- and coffee-flavored desserts are popular throughout Austria, each region has its specialties.
No matter where you head to Austria, you will find an ambrosian dessert.
And on this list of 27 recipes, you’ll indeed find a new favorite!
Keep an eye out for #25 on this list, as it’s a sweet treat to behold.
If you want something sweet and tart, this Austrian Apple Strudel is the quintessential dessert.
Tart apples are blended with a hint of sugar and spices, then wrapped in a flaky pastry crust.
The result is a tantalizing treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Gugelhupf Cake is a traditional Austrian cake typically made with a yeast-based batter.
The cake gets its distinctive swirl shape from being baked in a unique mold and is often studded with raisins or other dried fruit.
Gugelhupf Cakes are usually pretty decadent, so they are often served in small slices.
Have you ever made a dish so easy yet enjoyable that you were almost embarrassed to serve it?
That’s how I feel about Kaiserschmarrn.
It’s a traditional Austrian dessert that has been around for centuries, and yet it couldn’t be simpler to make.
All you need is a batter made from eggs, flour, sugar, and milk, then fried in butter until it forms a pancake.
Once the pancake is golden brown, it’s cut into pieces and served with fruit compote or jam.
And that’s it!
Zwetschkenknödel, also known as plum dumpling, is a traditional Austrian dessert made with plums.
The dumplings are typically served with vanilla sauce or whipped cream and can be garnished with almonds or cinnamon.
Zwetschkenknödel is an excellent choice for a decadent dessert, and they’re also a unique way to showcase fresh plums.
Cremeschnitten, or Cremeschnitte, is a divine Austrian treat comprised of crisp puff pastry and vanilla custard.
The pastry is typically made from scratch, although many excellent frozen puff pastry options are also available.
The custard is thick and creamy, made with milk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla.
Cremeschnitten is usually dusted with confectioners’ sugar, although they can also be served with fresh fruit or chocolate sauce.
Looking for a sublime, show-stopping dessert to make for your next gathering or potluck?
Look no further than Austrian Chocolate Cream Cheese Bars!
This decadent recipe features two of everyone’s favorite flavors—chocolate and cream cheese.
The chocolate crust is incredibly simple to make, and the creamy filling is so rich and velvety.
Apricots are one of my treasured fruits—they’re sweet and have a lovely floral aroma.
I love utilizing apricots in sweet and savory dishes; they always seem to make things a little bit more special.
Apricots are also great for baking, and one of my favorite recipes is Austrian Apricot Cake or Marillenkuchen.
This cake is so hassle-free to make, but it always looks impressive.
If you’ve never tried cooking with apricots before, I urge you to give it a go—the results are almost always spectacular.
8. Punschtorte
The Punschtorte is a classic Austrian cake that packs quite a boozy punch!
The cake is thin, sandwiched between a rum punch filling, and finished with a thick pink fondant icing.
The result is a lovely and decadent cake that fits nicely for any special occasion.
Perhaps the best part of the Punschtorte is its versatility—it can be served as an after-dinner treat or as a dessert wine.
So, whether you’re planning a big night out or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home, the Punschtorte is sure to add extra fun to your evening.
9. Sacher Torte
The Sacher Torte is a classic Austrian dessert that has been pleasing palates for over 150 years.
This incredible two-layer chocolate sponge cake is filled with apricot jam and glazed with a velvety chocolate glaze.
While the precise origins of this dessert are disputed, there is no denying its popularity.
Today, the Sacher Torte can be found in cafes and bakeries worldwide, and it remains a favorite among chocolate lovers.
10. Linzer Torte
A Linzer Torte is a cake originating from the city of Linz, Austria.
It consists of two layers of rich buttery, nut-flavored pastry sandwiched together with preserves.
The most common flavor of preserves used in a Linzer Torte is raspberry, but other flavors such as strawberry or blackberry can also be used.
Crêpes are a type of thin pancake that originates from France.
They are made from a simple batter of eggs, flour, milk, and melted butter.
While French crêpes are well-known throughout the world, Austria also has its version of this classic dish.
Austrian crêpes are slightly thicker than French crêpes but are still thinner than American pancakes.
They are traditionally served with fruit fillings or sweet sauces.
Marillenknödel is a traditional Austrian dish that consists of apricots that are covered with a soft and fluffy cheese dough and then topped with a mixture of breadcrumbs, cinnamon, and sugar.
The dish is said to be originated in the city of Vienna, and it is one of the most famous Austrian dishes.
There are a few things I love more than a good cookie, and these Linzer Cookies are up there on my list.
Nutty and decadent, they’re made with ground almonds (which you can easily swap out for hazelnuts or walnuts if you prefer) and a touch of cinnamon.
The dough comes together quickly and is nice and easy to work with – no chilling required.
Once baked, the cookies are super tender and have just the right amount of sweetness.
I like to fill mine with raspberry jam, but you could use any kind of preserve that you want.
Buchteln is a type of Austrian sweet roll traditionally filled with apricot jam.
The dough is made with yeast and is similar to brioche.
However, it often includes additional ingredients such as raisins, currants, or lemon zest.
Buchteln is served warm, making them a popular choice for brunch or dessert.
While they can be enjoyed plain, the rolls are often dusted with confectioners’ sugar or served with a dollop of whipped cream.
If you’re looking for a cookie to bake, why not try Vanillekipferl?
These crescent-shaped cookies are made with buttery almond dough and coated with a dusting of vanilla-flavored sugar.
They’re great for parties or as a gift for your foodie friends.
16. Krapfen
Delightful Krapfen is a must-have for any sweet tooth.
These spherical doughnuts are made of sweet yeast dough and often filled with fruit jam, chocolate, or vanilla custard.
They are deep-fried and then dusted with confectioners’ sugar.
Krapfen is usually served hot and best enjoyed fresh out of the fryer.
While they may be simple in appearance, these delectable treats are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
17. Topfenstrudel
Topfenstrudel is a traditional dessert in Austria made with quark cheese, sugar, eggs, and cinnamon.
It is usually served with warm vanilla custard or whipped cream.
The dough for the strudel is rolled very thin, and the filling is spread over it.
The strudel is rolled up and placed inside the oven.
Topfenstrudel is a popular dessert, and it is a popular dish usually seen on dessert spreads on special occasions.
Austria is a country with a rich culinary tradition, and one of its most beloved dishes is Salzburger Nockerln.
This impressive dessert is similar to a French soufflé, but it is baked over a thin layer of vanilla-infused milk.
This creates a lovely light custard that perfectly accompanies the fluffy soufflé.
19. Mozartkugeln
These world-famous chocolates originate from Salzburg, Austria, and were first created in 1890 in honor of the great composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Mozartkulgn is filled with marzipan, pistachio, and nougat, making them irresistible to anyone with a sweet tooth.
20. Kletzenbrot
Kletzenbrot is a traditional fruit bread from Tyrol.
It is made with dried pears, apples, plums, raisins, nuts, and spices.
The fruits are soaked in water overnight before being mixed with the other ingredients and baked in a loaf pan.
Kletzenbrot has a dense, moist texture and a deep flavor you will love.
Packed with raspberry flavor, these Austrian Raspberry Shortbread Bars are a fit-for-the-gods treat.
They melt in your mouth with each bite.
These bars aren’t too sweet; it’s ideal for your upcoming Christmas party.
22. Mohnnudeln
If you’re looking for something unique the next time you’re in Austria, try Mohnnudeln or poppy seed potato noodles.
These sweet potato noodles are flavored with poppy seeds and sugar, making an appealing dessert.
While they might sound odd at first, once you take a bite, you’ll quickly discover why they’re so beloved in the region.
The mingling of sweet and savory flavors is genuinely fantastic, and the poppy seeds add a lovely crunch.
Austria is famous for its rich, creamy chocolate.
And these chocolate balls are an example of why.
They’re made with unsweetened chocolate blended with almonds, resulting in a chocolate that’s smooth and melts in your mouth.
The balls are then dipped in a dark chocolate glaze, giving them a lovely shiny finish.
Who doesn’t love a good cookie?
Something about their blend of sweetness and flavor just hits the spot.
And when it comes to cookies, few are as beloved as the Austrian nut cookie.
These delicate treats feature chopped almonds and raspberry jam, which give them a rich, distinctive flavor.
Whether you enjoy them with a cup of coffee or milk, Austrian Nut Cookies are sure to put a smile on diners’ faces.
Those with a sweet tooth will adore these Austrian Semolina Dumplings loaded with Nutella and rolled with pistachios.
The dumplings are made with semolina flour, which gives them a light and airy texture.
They’re then boiled in water until they float to the surface and finally coated with a mixture of chopped pistachios.
The result is an enticing treat that’s suitable for any occasion.
There’s nothing quite like a homemade cookie, and Austrian Peach Cookies are a special treat.
These cookies are made by hollowing out rounds of dough and filling them with an exquisite fruity filling.
They’re then shaped to look like miniature peaches and baked to perfection.
The result is a light, fluffy cookie that’s bursting with flavor.
Mozart Cake is a rich and creamy chocolate cake named after the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
It’s thought to originate from Austria, where Mozart was born, and is now popular all over the world.
The cake itself is made with layers of chocolate sponge, filled with chocolate buttercream or ganache, and then covered in a thick layer of chocolate frosting.
It’s rich, decadent, and utterly delicious—an excellent combination for any chocolate lover.
The bottom line
There you have it!
A quick rundown of 27 of the best Austrian desserts!
So next time you’re in Austria or if you just want to recreate a little taste of Austria at home, be sure to try one (or all!) of these desserts.
BEST Austrian Desserts
From the classic Cremeschnitte to mouthwatering Krapfen, there's something for everyone to enjoy in this list of Austrian desserts!
Ingredients
- Austrian Apple Strudel
- Gugelhupf Cake
- Kaiserschmarrn (Austrian Torn-Up Pancakes)
- Austrian Plum Dumplings
- Cremeschnitte (Austrian Cream Slices)
- Austrian Chocolate Cream Cheese Bars
- Austrian Apricot Cake
- Punschtorte
- Sacher Torte
- Linzer Torte
- Palatschinken (Austrian Crêpes)
- Marillenknödel (Austrian Apricot Dumplings)
- Austrian Linzer Cookies
- Buchteln (Austrian Pull-Apart Rolls)
- Vanilla Crescent Cookies
- Krapfen
- Topfenstrudel
- Salzburger Nockerl
- Mozartkugeln
- Kletzenbrot
- Austrian Raspberry Shortbread Bars
- Mohnnudeln
- Austrian Chocolate Balls
- Austrian Nut Cookies
- Austrian Sweet Semolina Dumplings
- Austrian Peach Cookie
- Mozarttorte (Mozart Cake)
Instructions
- Pick one or more options from our list of Austrian Desserts here!
- Start creating your new favorite dish.
- Share and comment! Did you make any changes to make it even better?