Renowned for its alpine beauty and landscapes, Switzerland is also a dream come true for those with a sweet tooth. The country's culinary scene is a fascinating blend of old expertise and modern innovation, particularly when it comes to desserts. From velvety pastries to smooth chocolates, Switzerland has a wide variety of delicious sweets that entice the palate. Join us as we uncover the most loved desserts that beckon travellers on a gastronomic adventure through the heart of Switzerland.
A few simple ingredients are needed to make this sweet, airy, featherweight treat known as meringue: egg whites, sugar, an acid (such as vinegar or cream of tartar), and air—the most important yet unseen element. Meringue is highly versatile and is mainly prepared to create artistic desserts. It can be spooned on pies, whipped into cake frostings, added to cakes to make them fluffy or mixed with chocolate, fruits, and ground almonds for extra flavour.
Despite the name Swiss roll, there are still debates about whether these cakes were originally made in Switzerland. As the saying goes, it's now a mystery lost to time. The beauty of the Swiss Roll lies in how versatile it is; you can make it with sweetened jam or fruit compote, and you can find it in whatever flavour you like—from blueberry to raspberry to black currant—these traditional Swiss deserts can offer something to any palate.
Wahe, a delectable Swiss tart consisting of sweet and savoury varieties, is similar to French quiche and is made with seasonal fruits like cheese, spinach, or onions. The sweet version of Wähe is made with plums, apricots, rhubarbs, and apples. According to popular belief, it is said that the earliest version of this tart was made at home using leftover bread dough. Once thought of as a poor man's meal, the dish gained traction amongst the middle class over time and was frequently consumed on Fridays or while fasting.
Brischtner Nytlä is one of the most popular and loved desserts in Switzerland; it's easy to make and tastes delicious. The dish is made using two main ingredients: dried pears layered or topped with fresh whipped cream. Though it may seem pretty straightforward, the taste is otherworldly. The pears taste incredibly delicious when cooked and boiled in sugar and red wine.
A Berliner is basically a doughnut with a hole in the centre made using sweet yeast dough fried in either oil or fat, loaded with a jam or marmalade-like jelly and powdered sugar as icing to top it off. Apart from jam, the Berliner can be filled with various fillings such as yellow custard and chocolate or mocha filling. In fact, some versions of Berliner have no filling at all; you can consume this dish in different ways. The Berliner is best served with a refreshing cup of tea that complements the dough's sweetness and filling.
It's hard to imagine Christmas in Switzerland without being reminded of the tiny Carac. These sweet Swiss pastries are well-liked and famous during the festive season. They can be spotted in Christmas markets and festivals across the nation. Although the Carac are considered traditional little Swiss pastries, they were initially made as recently as the 2000s and are relatively modern.