It’s impossible to imagine a visit to Armenia without enjoying local sweets. Armenian sweets and desserts are very popular among tourists and are on the menu of most restaurants throughout the country.
Do not expect to lose weight during your Armenia trip as the local sweets are buttery and full of calories. In addition to many traditional desserts, there are dozens of bakeries in Yerevan offering European-style desserts. The bakers use traditional recipes but those trying them often say they have exceptional flavor thanks to high-quality local ingredients.
When it comes to desserts, we cannot but mention fresh Armenian fruits. You can find all types of dried fruits and traditional sweets like sujukh or alani that add a touch of the Armenian sun to your plate.
Let’s discover some desserts that have been cherished for generations.
Gata
A number one pastry to try is gata, a sweet pie with a filling made of butter and sugar. It may also contain cinnamon and other spices depending on the region and the family.
In the past Armenian families used to have a special pattern to design gata before baking it. Museums and family archives preserve gatanakhshik, a tool that was used to press out patterns on gata. It was usually made of wood and family patterns on round gatanakhshik were not repeated. It featured coat-of-arms ornaments and modern Armenian masters also revived the tradition. Even if one does not have a special tool, some ornaments can be made with a fork or a knife.
There are different types of gata, for example, one is made from a puff pastry. One thing is common – it’s always delicious and can be found in nearly all stores. However, homemade gata is another story. So, we suggest a simple recipe for those who want to try to bake it at home.
Pakhlava
This desert is known in the vast region starting from Greece and stretching to the Middle East. Armenians are no exception as they have been making pakhlava for centuries.
Every country has its recipes for pakhlava showing the rich culinary tapestry of the region. The common ingredients are thin layers of dough and nuts. Unlike pakhlava made in the Middle East, Armenians use honey instead of syrup between the layers. Armenian pakhlava usually contains walnuts, not pistachio. The harmonious mix of crunchy nuts and honeyed sweetness turns into a delicious dessert.
However, today there are a lot of shops selling Middle Eastern-style pakhlava as well. Their number increased especially following the Syrian civil war when hundreds of Syrian Armenians moved to Armenia. They opened shops offering pakhlava as well as other traditional Middle Eastern sweets like knafeh or qurabiya.
Dried fruits and Alani
Brightly colored dried fruits have the main place in Armenian food markets. The fruits are dried naturally without added sugar, so even people with diabetes can eat them. There are also dried fruits soaked in sugar syrup – one of the most popular sweets among tourists.
If you ever visit the Gum market in Armenia you will see a great variety of dried fruits, they are also mixed with nuts – a great dessert for vegetarians.
Alani is a delicious Armenian sweet with nuts. Dried peaches are filled with crushed nuts, sugar, and cinnamon. Alani is not only delicious but also a very beautiful delicacy that will decorate any festive table.
Another popular snack among Armenian sweets is sujukh. First nuts are strung on a long thread and dipped into a hot syrup made of grape juice, flour, and spices like cinnamon and cloves.
Sweet Lavash
Armenian sweet lavash, known as “ttu lavash” or sour lavash, presents a unique twist on traditional fruit preservation methods. When you visit Armenian markets, you will see dozens of colorful roll-ups. It is made from fruits like plums, cherries, apricots, peaches, or apples.
Boiled pulp fruits and a little water, then thin layers are dried under the sun. It contains no sugar or additives and is a 100% healthy and delicious snack. Ttu lavash is also used to make rolls with nuts and honey. It’s a great souvenir to bring from Armenia as it can be stored for 1 year in the refrigerator and will not lose its taste of summer fruits.
Jams
Armenian “muraba”, a delightful array of jams, shows the country’s rich tradition of preserving fruits in sugar syrup, creating vibrant and sweet spreads. Armenians make jams of all fruits that grow in their garden: apricots, figs, strawberries, pumpkins, and even eggplants. A colorful and tasty jar of muraba is a great addition to a cup of tea in winter.
Among the enticing varieties, the walnut muraba stands out as a unique and cherished specialty. Made of green walnuts, it has a very unique flavor. This Armenian dessert has its special recipe, and the syrup contains cinnamon, cardamon, and cloves.
Soviet Era Cakes
In addition to traditional pastries, Armenians are also known as great cake makers. Some cakes became popular during the Soviet era when women used to bake a lot at home. It was due to the poor quality of cakes and pastries sold in the stores.
They are still on the menu of restaurants as a nostalgic culinary chapter. Some were influenced by Russian baking traditions, for example, a honey cake or Napoleon, a variation of Milfey cake. Mikado, a layered cake with condensed milk and buttercream, also emerged during that period.
If you are a fan of sweets, do not hesitate to include traditional Armenian sweets and desserts in your gastro tour of Armenia.