10 Austrian Desserts You Need To Try (2024)

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Apfelstrudel

Apfelstrudel, one of the most well-known Austrian desserts, is a pastry filled with soft, baked apples along with sugar, cinnamon, and raisins.

The rich taste of Apfelstrudel is truly unforgettable, which is why you can find it at almost any Austrian restaurant.

This dessert is available year round and is very popular, so you won’t have any trouble finding it.

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Austrian Food Guide

Rehrücken

austrian desserts you need to try austria rehrucken

Rehrücken, or "saddle of venison cake" is one of Austria's most unique desserts thanks to its interesting appearance. It’s a chocolate-based cake that is topped with rows of almonds that give the cake its distinct appearance.

Although the cake's name does reference venison, the only thing meat-like about it is the shape. Rehrücken is a very rich chocolate cake which is made richer due to the thick chocolate icing that coats the entire "saddle". Rehrücken is usually served with a milk coffee or whipped cream.

Kaiserschmarrn

Kaiserschmarrn is a very popular Austrian dessert that is widely associated with Franz Joseph I, an Austrian emperor who adored the dessert so much that he had it renamed in his honor.

The dessert which means "Empress's Mess" is a slightly caramelized pancake that is cooked with a variety of sweet ingredients and split into pieces after it is fried.

Common Kaiserschmarrn ingredients include cherries, stewed plums, jams, almonds, and nuts. If you want to stay very traditional with your toppings, look for a recipe that features a plum compote topping.

Palatschinken

Palatschinken are thin pancakes closely related to French crepes but filled with heavier ingredients.

The dessert itself is simple but it's the inside that sets this dessert apart in Austria. Fillings can include fruits, jams, or sweet cheese with the most traditional filling being a special apricot jam that has been infused with a shot of brandy.

Sachertorte

Sachertorte, or Sacher cake, originated from a recipe created by Franz Sacher who was a chef's apprentice for Prince Wenzel von Metternich in 1832.

The cake is a very rich, dense and slightly coarse chocolate cake that includes a layer of apricot jam on top and dark chocolate icing on its’ sides. The dessert is typically served with a scoop of unsweetened whipped cream.

Sachertortre can be found in many coffee houses in Austria but for the "original" Sachertortre you should head to the Hotel Sacher in Vienna.

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Gugelhupf

Gugelhupf is a Bundt-style cake that originated in medieval Austria where it was a traditional staple at weddings. The cake was favored by royals, including Marie Antoinette, who popularized it when she left Austria for her new home in France.

Gugelhupf is made with a soft yeast dough with raisins and almonds in a circular Bundt pan.

You can find Gugelhupf in most bakeries as well as cafes.

Buchteln

Buchteln are popular sweet rolls that are filled with jam made from plum Powidl, which is a stewed plum spread made without additional sweeteners or ingredients.

Usually topped with either powdered sugar or vanilla sauce, Buchtein are typically eaten on their own without creams or other side dishes.

Some regions of Austria may serve Buchteln as a dinner item where it will usually be filled with a less sweet jam or curds.

Brioche Kipferl

Brioche Kipferl is a yeast-based roll that is found in many cuisines throughout Europe.

The dessert is made with yeast dough that is rolled into a crescent shape before it is baked and is usually eaten with butter, jam, or whipped cream.

There are also some dessert-specific variants, such as Vanille Kipferl, that are made with vanilla dough.

Kipferl can be found in any bakery, cafe, or coffee shop as well as many restaurants.

Linzer Torte

Linzer Torte is the oldest cake in the world with a written recipe dating all the way back to 1653.

The most notable features of a Linzer Torte are the unique lattice design on top of the cake and the floral-like almond arrangement that goes around the rim of the cake's edge.

Linzer Tortes are mildly sweet with a slight citrus note from the use of lemon zest and lemon juice in the recipe and are traditionally served around Christmas time, although you may be able to find one in specialized bakeries during other parts of the year.

Krapfen

Krapfen are distinguished from similar European pastries by the white circular ring in their center and their traditional fillings like apricot jam and vanilla custard.

In Austria, Krapfen are most often found during carnival season and on Faschingsdienstag (known in America as "Fat Tuesday"), but you may be able to find them in specialized bakeries year-round.

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