The World’s 10 Most Popular Desserts

The world’s most popular desserts, Top 10

I wasn’t originally much of a fan of sweet foods. I didn’t like sugary dishes, and dessert was something I wouldn’t even glance at. But over time I came to prefer sweet things, and what opened my eyes was dessert. Korea is serious about all its food, so people give it their all even making a single dessert, and I think that culture helped me discover new flavors. Thanks to that, I now can’t get enough of sweets.

Then I suddenly got curious about which desserts are the most popular in the world. I referenced TasteAtlas for this, but since it’s not an absolute measure, I recommend reading it just for fun. Let’s begin.

No. 10 USA — Milkshake

The No. 10 most popular dessert in the world is the American milkshake. Back in 1885, “milkshake” originally referred to a health remedy that included whiskey or malt. When syrup and milk began to be added at the end of the 19th century, the milkshake as we know it was born. Today there are many versions, but they’re all still made on a base of milk, ice cream, and syrup. It can be varied into flavors like chocolate, mango, strawberry, and mocha, and bacon, doughnuts, or cake are sometimes even added. The milkshake isn’t as popular today as it was in the 1950s–60s, but it’s still beloved by younger people and is mostly found at fast-food joints and restaurants.

No. 9 Spain — Churros

Churros — yeast dough fried and topped with sugar and cinnamon — took the No. 9 spot among the world’s most popular desserts. Commonly seen in the U.S. too, churros are known as a high-saturated-fat food since the whole dough is deep-fried in oil. That’s why many doctors advise steering clear of it, yet it’s still a beloved dessert. Well-fried, crispy churros are said to take on a richer aroma and flavor when paired with chocolate syrup or hot chocolate. Lately, churros are also enjoyed in all sorts of flavors by injecting cheese, guava, fruit jam, and more inside them. Being serious about food clearly isn’t unique to Korea. Haha.

No. 8 France — Crêpe

A crêpe refers to a thin pancake made from flour. First originating in the Brittany region, it has become one of the world’s most beloved desserts. The batter ingredients are relatively simple — flour, eggs, milk, and butter — but it’s endlessly versatile in that the finished crêpe can be paired with jam, chocolate syrup, all kinds of fruit, syrup, ice cream, and more. In France, pairing it with jam, chocolate, berries, and whipped cream is said to be the most popular. And if you stuff it with savory, flavorful fillings like ham, sausage, cheese, spinach, eggs, or mushrooms, you can enjoy it as a full meal rather than a dessert.

No. 7 Italy — Tiramisu

Tiramisu, one of my favorite kinds of cake, ranked No. 7 among the world’s most popular desserts. Invented relatively recently, in the early 1960s, it has been steadily loved ever since. Ladyfingers (finger cookies) are soaked in espresso, then topped with mascarpone cream and dusted with cocoa powder to finish. The harmony of slightly bitter yet soft, sweet cream makes it one of the most appealing desserts around.

No. 6 USA — Doughnut

In the past, before World War I, doughnuts were classified as a type of cake. But with their overwhelming popularity, a look you couldn’t describe as a cake, and endless flavor variations, the doughnut became a world dessert all its own. Early doughnuts were often made with unexpected fillings like plums, raisins, or apples. Today’s doughnut is finished by glazing fried bread dough with sugar syrup or topping it with powdered sugar. Doughnuts filled with coconut, peanuts, chocolate, or jam are also popular. As for how beloved it is in the U.S. — Americans celebrate “Doughnut Day” on the first Friday of June every year. There’s no special event; it seems to just be a day for enjoying doughnuts.

No. 5 USA — Chocolate Chip Cookie

With such an intuitive name, the No. 5 most popular dessert in the world is the chocolate chip cookie. As the name tells you, it means a cookie baked with chocolate chips in it. Same name, but it splits broadly into two versions: a moist, soft-textured cookie, and a crisp, crumbly one. Either version is said to taste best with cold milk, hot tea, or coffee.

No. 4 Japan — Wagashi

What Koreans call hwagwaja is, in English, known as wagashi. In any case, the No. 4 most popular dessert in the world is Japanese wagashi. It splits broadly into three types by texture. “Namagashi,” enjoyed fresh as soon as it’s made, has a chewy yet moist texture. “Han-namagashi” is a half-dried wagashi with a soft, slightly crumbly texture, and finally “higashi” is a fully dried wagashi, said to be popular as a gift. Every wagashi features a sweet paste made from grains or red beans; the flavors are similar, but they’re popular because the shapes are so beautiful.

No. 3 USA — Brownie

The brownie, first created at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, is the No. 3 most popular dessert in the world. This soft, moist, yet dense dessert is said to have started gaining real popularity from the 1950s. Here too, preferences split by texture. Some people prefer a soft, sweet, moist brownie, while others prefer a dense, fudgy, gooey one. Whatever the texture, the brownie is a highly accessible dessert in that the ingredients are simple and the recipe is easy. The finished brownie is enjoyed with cold milk, or topped with walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips, or chili powder.

No. 2 USA — Cupcake

The American cupcake, which you can enjoy relatively easily anytime, anywhere, ranked No. 2 among the world’s most popular desserts. It’s so popular that in the U.S., people bake distinctive cupcakes for every occasion (Halloween, Christmas, etc.) to enjoy or share with neighbors. You make the base by baking in a thin paper liner or aluminum cup, then top it to taste with whipped cream, custard cream, chocolate chips, and the like. Like the brownie, it seems popular because the ingredients aren’t hard to choose and the recipe is relatively simple.

No. 1 Japan — Mochi

As someone who isn’t all that fond of rice cakes, I was a little puzzled that the No. 1 most popular dessert in the world is mochi. It’s not that mochi tastes bad — I just had no idea it was this popular around the world. Anyway, Japanese mochi has a texture similar to Korean tteok (rice cake) and is made with sweet fillings like red bean, strawberry, or ice cream. Rice cake actually originated in China, but over the centuries it developed into all sorts of recipes, and mochi became a dessert all Japan’s own. Such is the Japanese love of mochi that, beyond official occasions like Christmas, it’s enjoyed at weddings and birthdays, and you can find it at religious festivals and school events too. Come to think of it, when I traveled in Japan, mochi did seem easy to find everywhere.

That’s a look at the world’s most popular desserts, from No. 10 down to No. 1. So, did you have fun? Before I wrap up, I want to add this: just because Japanese mochi is No. 1 doesn’t mean everyone in the world eats mochi. Much like how Korea’s soju is the No. 1 alcoholic drink by sales, it’s because the consumption and sales are overwhelmingly high that it could achieve a record like this.

Here’s something else I realized while looking into the world’s most popular desserts. There’s a strong perception that desserts are enjoyed on their own, but the ones above all share a trait: their recipes become varied by adding extra things. Anyone can change the recipe to their taste anytime, while the base stays the same. That, I figured, is exactly why they’re bound to be popular. Even so, I can’t help finding it amazing that mochi is No. 1. Is it just me? Haha.