Desserts come in many kinds, and each type has countless names depending on the region and style. Broadly, they can be grouped like this:
1. Cakes and Baked Desserts
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Examples: Cheesecake, Black Forest cake, Red Velvet cake, Tiramisu, Carrot cake.
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Usually sweet, baked or chilled, often with frosting or cream layers.
2. Pastries and Pies
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Examples: Apple pie, Lemon meringue pie, Baklava, Éclair, Danish pastry.
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Can be flaky or buttery, often filled with fruit, cream, or nuts.
3. Frozen Desserts
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Examples: Ice cream, Gelato, Sorbet, Frozen yogurt, Kulfi.
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Served cold, often flavored with fruit, chocolate, or nuts.
4. Custards, Puddings, and Mousses
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Examples: Crème brûlée, Flan, Chocolate mousse, Rice pudding, Panna cotta.
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Smooth, creamy texture; can be baked, steamed, or chilled.
5. Confections (Candy-type Desserts)
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Examples: Fudge, Toffee, Marshmallows, Nougat, Truffles.
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Usually high in sugar, often bite-sized.
6. Fruit-based Desserts
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Examples: Fruit salad, Banana split, Poached pears, Strawberry shortcake.
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Often lighter, with fresh or cooked fruits as the star ingredient.
7. Fried Desserts
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Examples: Donuts, Churros, Fried ice cream, Jalebi, Zeppole.
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Crispy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside.
If you’d like, I can make you a worldwide dessert list sorted by country or continent so it’s easier to explore. That way, you could see desserts like Baklava (Turkey), Mochi (Japan), or Pastel de nata (Portugal) in one place.