8 Best Vegan Desserts from the Mediterranean
We’ve all had that yummy dessert that was so good, we could taste it in our mouths if we closed our eyes right now. It would be criminal to even imagine there could be a better dessert out there. But perhaps there is.
Mediterranean sweets and treats are some of the most scrumptious in the world due to their rich heritage and timeless recipes, and at Layla’s Delicacies, they’re our specialty.
Each of our desserts is sweet, crunchy, and—more importantly—made by hand with care. Our vegan recipes take you on a delicious trip through the Mediterranean.
“Vegan Box:
It was a gift for our niece and her husband. ... The feedback I got was they loved how nicely it was packaged, and each piece was intricately made and tasted great.”
Shailesh Patel
Popular Mediterranean Vegan Desserts That’ll Leave You Begging for More
Let’s face it: One dessert is rarely enough to satisfy an insatiable sweet tooth. With Mediterranean desserts, there’s a wide range to choose from, each having shape-shifted and reformed for centuries to what we now enjoy today.
From popular, easy-to-make desserts such as Baklava to more intricate recipes such as Bjewia Pistachios, here are some of our favorite desserts from the multicultural Mediterranean:
Baklava Pistachio
The Baklava Pistachio is a sweet, nutty dessert originally from Turkey and later loved all across the Mediterranean. As the poster child for Mediterranean sweets, it’s the most popular one due to its simple recipe.
The top and bottom layers are thin, crispy golden layers dipped in orange blossom water and sugar for a sour-sweet flavor. Other ingredients include:
- Olive oil
- Almonds and pistachios for crunchiness
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Sugar
For first-timers, Baklava Pistachios are a great introduction to the world of Middle Eastern sweets. They’re perfectly crunchy, not too sweet, and melt satisfyingly in the mouth. They’re also excellent snacks to enjoy with guests and gift to your loved ones.
Please note: our Baklava Pistachio is vegetarian, not vegan. For a vegan baklava, try the Baklava El Bey below.
Almond Finger
Almond Fingers originate in Morocco and have become a cherished treat all through the Mediterranean.
They’re the perfect blend of almonds and hazelnuts rolled into finger-shaped, thin, crispy golden layers, made from a dough of wheat flour, olive oil, and salt.
Almond Fingers are great morning treats. Their sweet flavor and nuttiness mean you can have them with coffee to kickstart your day on a high.
For children, Almond Fingers can be served with ice cream and sprinkles or chocolate chips on top.
Baklava El Bey
Baklava El Bey is traditionally offered at Persian weddings and other big celebrations, but you don’t have to wait for a wedding to enjoy these scrumptious treats.
These tiny delights are filled with all-plant ingredients including:
- Natural almond paste
- Rosewater for a subtly sweet taste
- Wheat flour
- Sugar
Furthermore, Baklava El Beys are rich and satisfying thanks to their high nut content. They’re packed with almonds and pistachios.
Like Almond Fingers, Baklava El Beys are wonderful morning treats and can be served with coffee. They’re also fantastic gifts to express gratitude to family and friends.
At Layla’s Delicacies, Baklava El Beys are available inside our Vegan Boxes.
They also last up to a month in refrigeration so you don’t have to worry about freshness.
With a subtle sweet taste, you can enjoy these treats either with some mint tea for breakfast, or with zero accompaniments so you can fully immerse yourself in their rich flavor.
Samsa Pistachio
These mouth-watering treats are satisfying and well balanced. They pair perfectly with ice cream for an after-dinner dessert.
Samsa Pistachios are triangular in shape, nutty in texture, and filled with a moist mixture of almonds and hazelnuts. They are wrapped in thin, crispy golden layers.
Once wrapped, the treats are soaked in a syrup made of sugar and orange blossom-flavored water. They’re then sprinkled with chopped pistachios for a topping. This intricate recipe is what makes Samsas one of the most delectable sweets.
They make wonderful gifts for housewarmings, family gatherings, and game nights with friends.
Bjewia Pistachio
This unique treat is often served in Mediterranean wedding ceremonies. It's made of a mixture of almonds and pistachio nuts topped with dried rose petals. It's sweet and has a high composition of nuts to ensure that its natural flavor reigns supreme.
Bjewia Pistachios are rather unique. They do not contain butter, flour, or dough, and they don’t require baking. Instead, they utilize fine stuffing techniques and ingredients which include:
- Sugar
- Citrus
- Pistachios
- Almonds
- Roses
Pineapple Hazelnut
Pineapple Hazelnuts are round-shaped Mediterranean treats that are to die for. They’re made from a crushed mixture of almonds and hazelnuts, and they’re topped with pieces of pistachios, which makes them resemble pineapples.
These little delicacies are perfect for Ramadan and Iftar celebrations and are also great for family gatherings.
Pineapple Hazelnuts are included in our Vegan Boxes and Appreciation Gift Packs.
Mediterranean Treats: Gift Packs for Family and Friends
Layla’s Delicacies’ gift boxes contain an assortment of Mediterranean sweets, from Bjewia Pistachios topped with dried rose petals to Almond Boats filled with caramelized chocolate.
Vegan Box 22-Piece Gift Pack
This gift box is the best dessert gift to give your vegan friend or family member. It contains twenty-two pieces that are delicious and beautiful for your loved ones.
In the box, there is a soft mix of hazelnuts and almonds, as well as a soft mix of almonds and pistachios. There is also a mix of almonds and pistachios topped with dried roses, and chopped almonds and hazelnuts topped with pistachios.
Limited Edition 30-Piece Vegan Box
The Limited Edition Vegan Box contains vegan treats that are perfectly balanced to satiate a sweet tooth.
This package contains five different sweets which are all vegan:
- Chopped almonds and hazelnuts topped with pistachios
- Crunchy walnuts with white chocolate
- Sliced almonds with caramel chocolate
- Soft mixture of almonds and pistachios
- Crunchy sesame seeds with silky chocolate
All treats are arranged carefully with a touch of art to prevent mixing so you can enjoy their flavors.
The Limited Edition has it all: It has a diverse range of strictly vegan treats, it’s packed like a work of art, and it’s large enough for parties and religious celebrations such as Ramdan.
It also makes for a fantastic gift, as this customer noted:
One of my fondest memories of my Dad is going with him downtown to the [bakery] for a slice of baklava. Dad is seldom sitting without a dish of his favorite nuts within reach, so what could possibly make a more perfect Father’s Day gift than a couple boxes of Layla’s Delicacies? I knew I hit a grand slam home run when Dad, who seldom talks on the phone, when called to say thank you and rave about how wonderful they are 🤗🥰. Thank you Layla’s Delicacies!
What are the Most Common Ingredients Used in Vegan Mediterranean Desserts?
Mediterranean desserts have been loved for centuries.
They remain some of the most delicious desserts in the world due to their historical recipes and simple, natural ingredients.
“Layla’s Delicacies are so delicious, not too sweet, with the simplest ingredients beautifully crafted and presented in a lovely box. These are becoming my perfect gift to give friends and a wonderful treat for me.”
Catherine Chaulet
Almonds
Different cultures across the Middle East and Europe have been using almonds in food and desserts for centuries. They’ve been used to make almond milk, sweets, and many other desserts.
They give our sweets a soft, rich texture and a lovely nutty flavor.
Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are rich in flavor and are used in cooking, baking, and dessert recipes of Mediterranean origin. They add a warm, toasty crunch to our treats.
Pistachios
Pistachios are believed to originate from Persia—modern-day Iran—and were used to signify status and wealth.
These are a truly wonderful delicacy full of flavor and color, making them ideal for breakfast dishes and desserts.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is the only oil used in the traditional Mediterranean diet. It’s even considered sacrilege to replace olive oil with any other.
Layla’s Delicacies: Sweets Made With Love
At Layla’s Delicacies, all our sweets are vegetarian, and our Vegan collection is fully vegan. We use a combination of natural products such as nuts and blossom water to perfectly balance flavor and beauty.
Contact us today and order your box of love and sweetness.
