Imagine the best dessert on Earth. Better yet, turn to a stranger on the street and ask them. Odds are good — dollars to doughnuts — their answer is different from yours.
From childhood treats to a grandparent’s favorite recipes, beloved foods are deeply personal. This seems especially true of desserts, which often take pride of place at celebrations and traditional holidays.
The list
- Alfajores, South America
- Apfelstrudel, Austria
- Baklava, Turkey
- Black Forest Cake, Germany
- Borma, Middle East and Turkey
- Brownies, United States
- Cannoli, Sicily
- Cardamom Buns, Sweden
- Cendol, Singapore
- Chocolate Chip Cookies, United States
- Chocolate Mousse, France
- Coconut Cake, Southern United States
- Cornes de Gazelle, Morocco
- Doughnuts, United States
- Flan, Latin America
- Gâteau Fondant au Chocolat, France
- Kashata, East Africa
- Kulfi, India
- Saffron Ice Cream, Iran
- Sour Cherry Pie, Midwestern United States
- Sticky Rice with Mango, Thailand
- Sticky Toffee Pudding, United Kingdom
- Trifle, United Kingdom
- and…
Saffron Ice Cream, Iran
Scented with saffron, rosewater and pistachios, it’s no wonder that this Iranian ice cream is a favorite at Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
From a lightly golden color to its distinctive aroma, the creamy treat is the essence of spring. Saffron ice cream, or bastani, is a memorable experience on its own, and its flavor alone easily snags a spot among the world’s greatest frozen desserts.
For the complete bastani experience, though, opt for a traditional Iranian ice cream sandwich of saffron ice cream between two thin wafers. The wafers’ mild flavor and crispy texture are the perfect foil — and conveniently shaped handle — for the rich and aromatic ice cream, which is beloved from Tehran to Tehrangeles.
