Delish Dessert Recipes From Estonia That Are Rich In Quark And Berries

When it comes to Estonia, one often pictures the country as a landscape straight out of a fairytale. And, when autumn starts creeping in, it is the best time to harvest fresh berries and fruits. And with all these berries and fruits, Estonians create some sumptuous desserts. What makes the desserts even more delicious is the abundance of dairy products like milk, cream, and curd cheese. Still wondering what all to try while you visit the European country? Here’s a list of the best delish dessert recipes that deserve all the glory.

Kisel

This beloved treat holds a special place in the Estonian dessert menu. With a texture that is both drinkable and spoonable, this dessert uses the juices of cranberries, cherries, or ruby-red currants with a generous amount of sugar. But what truly sets this recipe apart is the addition of the thickening agent. This transforms the simple berry juice into a silky smooth delight.

Bread Soup

Like bread pudding, custard, and pies are comfort dishes in many cultures, for Estonians, bread soup holds a similar stature. It features a combination of stale black bread, plump raisins, and fruit kissel. Here, the bread soaks up the sweet essence of the kissel, and the raisins lend their chewy sweetness to this dessert.

Kama

This iconic Estonian cuisine features a unique powdery mixture made from the toasting and grinding of various grains and kibbled black beans. It is often served with kefir and eaten as a breakfast treat. When it is made like a mousse, heavy cream is whipped with sugar. And, the result is a rich, creamy delight that is often tarnished with tart buckthorn or blueberries

Rhubarb Pie

Rhubarb Pie is another traditional Estonian dessert featuring a filling made with rhubarb, a vibrant reddish-pink vegetable that is widely grown in Estonia. The edible stalks of rhubarb bring in a unique, sour flavor that has been a long-standing favorite in Estonian desserts. The other ingredients usually include flour, eggs, butter, and sour cream, with a generous amount of sugar added to balance the tartness of the rhubarb pieces.

Kohuke

Kohuke is a popular curd-based snack, made with the classic curd cheese or quark. It is blended with sweeteners like sugar or artificial preservatives to create a delicious filling which is encased in a coating of chocolate. For most Estonians, these treats have been a favorite indulgence.

Kohupiimakreem

Just like Kohuke, this is another Estonian dessert that relies on curd cheese or quark more than anything else. This recipe blends quark with sugar, vanilla, and whipped cream to create a thick, pudding-like texture, best savored chilled. For a better version, fresh berries of choice can be added, providing another layer of flavor and a delicious contrast to the creamy base.

Vastlakukkel

This Estonian sweet delight takes the form of a bun that is sliced in half and generously filled with a layer of rich almond paste, with a mound of freshly whipped cream. This pastry holds a special significance in Estonian culture, as it is traditionally served around February and March during the celebration of "Vastlapäev," where many Estonians partake in the age-old tradition of sledging before returning home to indulge in the delicious vastlakukkel.

Kringel

Have you ever looked at a braided sweet bread? This Estonian Kringel is one such pretty delicacy. Often shaped into a wreath, this twisted bread is a festive staple in Estonia that is enjoyed by everyone. All it takes is a soft, enriched dough filled with cinnamon, sugar, butter, nuts, and dried fruits. The stuffed bread is baked until golden perfection to make sure it is crunchy outside and soft inside.

Mannavaht

Often referred to as ‘semolina foam’, this light and airy mousse-like dessert is all about combining semolina, fruit juice, and sugar. Once the mixture is cooked well, it is whipped until it turns fluffy. Just before serving, it is chilled and topped with milk or cream. This justifies the name ‘semolina foam’. Often served for breakfast or as a dessert, this is a staple Estonian delicacy.