20 Traditional African Desserts

Although, one of my favorite African proverbs says, “An onion shared with a friend tastes like roast lamb.” The idea behind it is that everything tastes better when you share it with someone else.

1.Baseema

Baseema, which means ‘delicious’ in Sudanese, is a must-try traditional dessert from Sudan. 🍞 Made with yogurt, flour, coconut, sugar, and other essential baking ingredients, this sweet treat is a perfect blend of flavors.

After baking, the cake is topped with a glaze made from lemon juice, water, and granulated sugar, adding a tangy and sweet finish.

The combination of moist cake and refreshing glaze creates a delightful texture and flavor experience.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/152278031138364078

2.Moroccan Shortbread Cookies

These shortbread cookies have a rounder shape than you might be used to, with a delightfully crunchy and crumbly texture. They’re called ‘silly cookies’ because of their cracked, crumbly appearance.

Made with a blend of sesame seeds and almonds, the dough gives these cookies their signature crumbly bite.

While they can be a bit messy, the sweet and nutty flavor combination makes every crumb worth it.

3.Chebakia (Moroccan Sesame Cookies)

These rose-shaped cookies are almost too pretty to eat, but don’t worry–practice makes perfect when it comes to shaping them! The good news? Even the ‘imperfect’ ones taste incredible.

Beyond the shaping, these cookies are a breeze to whip up. The result? A batch of stunning, crispy, and sweetly syrupy treats that are sure to be the star of any special occasion.

4.Malva Pudding

This sweet cake has a texture similar to tres leches cake – soft and moist. The secret? A homemade syrup poured over while it’s still warm.

It’s a flavor party with apricot jam, sweet syrup, brown sugar, and a hint of apple cider vinegar.

The apricot jam and vinegar add a touch of tartness, while the brown sugar and syrup bring a caramel-like sweetness. A perfect balance of flavors in every bite.

5.South African Peppermint Crisp Fridge Tart

Some days, I just want something sweet and delicious without spending half an hour over the stove. That’s when no-cook recipes save the day!

This one is a favorite because it’s both gorgeous and tasty, and all you need to do is mix and layer.

Imagine layers of cookies, whipped cream, caramelized condensed milk, sugar, a hint of peppermint essence, and crushed peppermint crisp chocolate bars.

It’s a cool, minty, and indulgent treat that’s perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without any fuss. Plus, it’s ready in no time–just chill and serve!

6.Akwadu

Say hello to a dish that’s as sweet as dessert but perfect for breakfast! Imagine tender bananas smothered in a delicious mix of honey, melted butter, fruit juices, cinnamon, brown sugar, and toasted coconut flakes.

This recipe is a must-try for any banana lover, offering a flavor so rich you’ll want it morning or night. It’s a simple yet indulgent way to enjoy bananas at their best!

7.Kunafa

Kunafa is a must-try dessert that’s especially loved during Ramadan. This sweet treat features layers soaked in sugar and filled with thick, creamy goodness.

Once it’s ready, drizzle it with sugar syrup and sprinkle crushed pistachios on top for a delightful crunch. It might look a bit unusual, but trust us, the taste is absolutely incredible.

8.Basbousa

This Egyptian cake is a delightful treat that’s soft, sweet, and utterly irresistible. It’s topped with a refreshing syrup made from honey and lemon juice, and sprinkled with your favorite nuts for added crunch.

With a rich mix of sugar, honey, coconut, vanilla extract, and yogurt, it’s a dessert that’s as sweet as it gets.

To balance the sweetness, try pairing it with a cup of unsweetened tea or coffee–it’s the perfect way to enjoy this indulgent treat.

9.Shuku Shuku (Coconut Balls)

Whip up these Nigerian macaroons with just four simple ingredients: unsweetened coconut flakes, self-rising flour, egg yolks, and superfine sugar or caster sugar. The process is as easy as it gets!

Start by preheating your oven, then whisk together the coconut, egg yolks, and sugar until you get a thick, sturdy dough.

Roll the dough into small balls, coat them in flour, and bake for about 20 minutes. The whole thing takes just over 30 minutes from start to finish.

These macaroons come out chewy on the inside and lightly sweetened, making them a delightful treat any time of day.

10.Meskouta (Moroccan Yogurt Cake)

Meet Meskouta, Morocco’s delicious take on the classic bundt cake. This crowd-pleaser is made with simple ingredients like unsweetened yogurt, eggs, sugar, flour, vegetable oil, baking powder, vanilla, and salt.

Just mix everything together in stages, pop it into a bundt or tube pan, and bake for about 45 minutes. The result is a moist, subtly sweet cake with a texture that’s sure to impress.

Perfect for breakfast or dessert, Meskouta is a hassle-free treat that’s ready in no time!

11.Crunchies (South African Oatmeal Bars)

Meet the granola bars that are about to change your mind about granola bars forever! Whether you’re a granola bar fan or not, these are for you.

Packed with an incredible mix of flavors–salty, sweet, spicy, crunchy, buttery, nutty, and syrupy–these bars truly have something for everyone. And the best part?

They’re a breeze to make, requiring just 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of baking. It’s a recipe that’s as easy as it is delicious!

12.West African Lime Cake

Love tart desserts? This one’s a must-try if you crave that puckery, tangy flavor. The lime juice really shines here, giving it a bold citrus kick.

Top it with chopped peanuts for a salty touch that brings out a sweet, tart, and salty margarita-inspired taste. Best part? You probably already have all the ingredients on hand!

13.Melt-in-Mouth Butter Cookies (Egyptian Ghorayebah)

Ready to whip up something special? These soft, indulgent cookies come together in a snap–just 30 minutes from start to finish!

You’ll need just a few simple ingredients: powdered sugar, flour, ghee (don’t even think about using unsalted butter here!), and a pinch of baking powder.

Feel free to toss in some slivered almonds for extra texture if you’re feeling fancy. The result? Thirty-five bite-sized treats that are so tender, they practically melt in your mouth.

Plus, you can shape them into all sorts of adorable forms for an extra touch of fun. Ready to get baking?

14.Chocolate Malva Pudding

Meet your new dessert obsession: a warm, rich cake that’s a twist on the classic malva pudding.

This version keeps the apricot jam, vinegar, and brown sugar you love, but it kicks things up a notch with a decadent chocolate sauce that’s so good, you’ll want to eat it straight from the bowl.

Top it with whipped cream and fresh strawberries for the ultimate sweet treat. Trust us, chocolate and strawberries are a match made in heaven!

15.Koeksisters

Koeksisters are a stunning treat that’s worth every minute of their 2-and-a-half-hour prep time.

While much of that time is spent waiting for the dough to rest and chill, the end result is well worth it.

These golden, braided doughnuts are smothered in a shimmering, sweet glaze that makes them almost too pretty to eat. But don’t let their looks fool you–these babies are all about the taste.

They’re warm, sticky, and irresistibly sweet, with a texture that’s both crispy and soft. Sure, they can get a little messy, but that’s half the fun.

After all, the best foods are always a little bit indulgent.

16.Sonhos De Banana

Meet Sonhos de bananas, a delicious twist on doughnuts! These tasty treats are made with mashed bananas mixed right into the dough.

All you need to do is fry them up until golden, then dust them with a sweet cinnamon-sugar mix. The best part? They’re ready in just 20 minutes! Give them a try!

17.Umm Ali (Egyptian Bread Pudding)

This Egyptian dessert is like a dressed-up version of bread pudding, packed with extras for an even tastier treat. Think coconut flakes, raisins, cinnamon, walnuts, and pistachios all in one delicious mix. The best part?

It’s ready in under an hour, with just 30 minutes of that being bake time. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without spending all day in the kitchen. The aroma alone will have you hooked!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/234961305548438370

18.Makroud el louse (Almond Cookies)

These one-of-a-kind cookies are a breeze to make, using just a few simple ingredients like sugar, water, eggs, almonds, and confectioner’s sugar.

The standout ingredient here is orange flower water, which gives them a unique twist. No orange flower water on hand? No problem! You can swap it out for lemon essence instead. The result?

Crunchy cookies with a tangy flavor that’s reminiscent of Italian wedding cookies, but with a bit more zing.

19.Banana Glace

Banana Bonanza Sundae If you’re a banana fanatic, this dessert is your paradise! It’s easy, fun, and uses just a few ingredients.

Soak fresh bananas in sweetness, blend them into a creamy paste, and freeze until thick. Then, lay banana halves on a plate and cover them with the frozen banana paste.

Top with your favorites–candied fruits, nuts, whipped cream, or chocolate sprinkles. Perfect for any time and satisfying every sweet tooth!

20.Hertzoggies

Imagine a treat that combines the warmth of sweet biscuits with the vibrant zing of apricot jam, all crowned with a fluffy homemade coconut meringue.

These bites are irresistibly addictive, offering a delightful contrast of textures–flaky at the bottom, airy on top, and bursting with sweet, fruity goodness in the middle. The best part?

You likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry, making these a breeze to whip up whenever the craving strikes!