Recipes & Cooking International Recipes Mediterranean Recipes 11 Mediterranean Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Fresh and full of flavor, these recipes are the perfect ending to any Mediterranean-inspired meal and beyond. By Karla Walsh Karla Walsh Karla Walsh began her career at FITNESS magazine in 2010. Since, she's worked at a wide variety of publications full-time, including BHG.com, Recipe.com and as a cross-brand social media specialist. From search engine optimization to features for print to video strategy, she has a diverse background in all things magazines. At the start of 2019, Karla chose to pursue full-time freelance writing and has contributed to more than 3 dozen brands. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on November 22, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Blaine Moats Give your usual repertoire a boost with our all-time best Mediterranean dessert recipes. Delicious regional ingredients, like pistachios, honey, fresh fruit, and Greek yogurt make these sweets stand out. If you're craving a treat, these recipes are sure to satisfy. 01 of 11 Ginger-Turmeric Barley Pudding View Recipe Carson Downing Savor your after-dinner drink and dessert at once with this Mediterranean dessert recipe. Medjool dates are larger than regular dates, with a soft texture and buttery caramel flavor, but you can easily substitute them for regular dates. This treat also features other regional flavors (and anti-inflammatory elements), including fresh ginger and ground turmeric, so you can truly enjoy without guilt. 02 of 11 Spiced Roasted Fruit View Recipe Carson Downing Here's one Mediterranean-diet dessert that's totally appropriate for breakfast. Top a bowl of ricotta or Greek yogurt with a generous spoonful of cinnamon-scented stoned roasted fruit for a treat that even the most ardent ice cream fans will admit is delicious. For crunch, garnish with a handful of granola-like crispy oats. 03 of 11 Chocolate Almond Butter Fruit Dip View Recipe Andy Lyons If you like hummus, you'll probably love this sweet, scoopable dessert. In only 15 minutes, with only five ingredients (including Greek yogurt and heart-healthy almond butter), you can make this Mediterranean dessert and feed a crowd. It's delicious by the spoonful, but we recommend dunking slices of sturdy fruit, like pears, apples, and strawberries. Make-Ahead Dips You Can't Resist Dunking Into 04 of 11 Lemon Cream Pavlova with Berries View Recipe Blaine Moats Meringue-based pavlovas, named after the famed Russian ballerina, are claimed by both Australia and New Zealand, although meringue cakes themselves may actually have originated in North Africa as long ago as the 13th century, before spreading to Europe. In our version, fresh raspberries team with chopped pistachios and a lemon curd cream, for a light and luscious Mediterranean treat. For a single-serving version, follow our directions for mini pavlovas, and they'll steal the show at your next dinner party. 05 of 11 Lemon Olive Oil Cake View Recipe Karla Conrad This is no ordinary classic cake recipe. Fruity Italian olive oil accentuates the lemon flavor in this indulgent Mediterranean dessert, along with making the texture remarkably tender. Instead of frosting, serve this cake topped with a mix of seasonal fresh fruits, such as blood oranges, berries, or sliced plums. 06 of 11 Cider-Poached Pears in the Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker View Recipe Jacob Fox Choose your own adventure with this slow cooker or Instant Pot creation. Make it fast or slow, depending on your schedule and appliance. With honey, cardamom, and crystallized ginger in the apple cider poaching liquid, sweet-spicy regional goodness infuses this Mediterranean diet dessert. Chopped pistachios and Greek yogurt top things off with a fitting flair. 07 of 11 Lavender-Honey Lemon Tart View Recipe Carson Downing With loads of crisp, fresh citrus and sweet honey, this Mediterranean dessert reminds us of something we'd dream of ordering at a Greek seaside café. The buttery pastry crust will please traditional tart fans, and aromatic lavender buds lend lovely complexity and a modern touch. 08 of 11 Mint Frozen Greek Yogurt View Recipe Jason Donnelly If you love Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies or mint chocolate-chip ice cream, give this super-refreshing Mediterranean dessert recipe a try. Fresh mint infuses the frozen Greek yogurt for a double dose of cool in each bite. 09 of 11 Triple Chocolate Tiramisu View Recipe Blaine Moats Don't stress about dessert. This classic caffeinated Italian recipe makes enough to satisfy a crowd and requires only 30 minutes of prep time. As a bonus, the recipe calls for enough cocoa to keep any chocolate lover happy. Add a Mediterranean affair by mixing spices in, or dip the cookies in ginger and cardamom-flavored coffee. 10 of 11 Sweet Ricotta and Strawberry Parfaits View Recipe Kritsada Panichgul Perhaps you've layered this unripened, soft cheese into a lasagna casserole. But one of the many reasons we're so fond of ricotta is that it stuns in both sweet and savory dishes. Take it into dessert territory with a stir of honey, vanilla, Mediterranean spices, and lemon zest, then layer it between fresh strawberries, and the pretty parfaits are ready to party. 11 of 11 Melomakarona (Greek Honey-Dipped Cookies) View Recipe Blaine Moats Made with a variety of warm baking spices and olive oil rather than butter, these almond-topped cookies are sure to impress. They're traditionally served in Greece during the Christmas season, but we're firm believers that they're far too tasty to limit to one month per year. For an irresistible coating, before serving, dip the cookies into a honey glaze infused with cinnamon and cloves. Frequently Asked Questions What are the most popular Mediterranean spices for dessert? Though most Mediterranean spices can be easily incorporated into both sweet and savory dinner dishes, options like saffron, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and even black pepper will give a beautiful touch to any Mediterranean-inspired dessert. In terms of herbs, mint, fennel, fenugreek, sage, lavender, and marjoram also provide a balance to sweet treats. Can I eat these desserts on a true Mediterranean diet? Processed food and refined sugar aren’t allowed in a Mediterranean diet, however, if it comes from a natural source (like grilled fruits flavored with spices or herbs, and even drizzled with honey) you can easily enjoy these kinds of treats. The freshest is best. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit