14 Traditional Swiss Desserts Everyone Should Try at Least Once

Last updated on November 22nd, 2025 at 11:41 am

Traditional Switzerland Desserts – 14 Best Desserts In Switzerland To Try

The Swiss dessert is not yet world-famous, but one thing is for sure is good! But there are also some dishes that are authentic Switzerland traditional desserts to try! Make sure you get free transportation in Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card 

On average Swiss desserts in a sit-down restaurant in Switzerland will cost around 10 CHF depending what you are ordering. You can partner with coffee and tea. Coffee or tea can cost 4 CHF in Switzerland. A few of them are homemade desserts in Switzerland to try.

Read here Swiss food, drinks in Switzerland, fruits in Switzerland, Swiss breakfast and vegetarian dishes in Switzerland

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Quick Easy Tips

Look for desserts by region—Swiss sweets vary a lot from canton to canton.

Pair nut-based desserts with coffee and fruit-based desserts with tea for a balanced experience.

When baking at home, use high-quality butter and cream; Swiss recipes rely heavily on purity of flavor.

Don’t oversweeten—Swiss desserts are meant to be subtle.

Start with simple classics like meringues or apple tart before moving on to more technical recipes.

One surprising controversy is whether Swiss desserts even deserve attention on the global stage. Some argue they lack flashiness compared to French or Italian pastries, while others believe their understated elegance is exactly what sets them apart. This debate highlights how overlooked Switzerland’s culinary identity often is outside chocolate culture.

Another point of debate concerns authenticity. Many Swiss desserts vary widely from region to region, making it difficult to label any single version “traditional.” A nut tart from Graubünden, for example, may differ noticeably depending on the village you’re in. Purists argue that recipes must follow strict guidelines, while modern bakers embrace adaptation, leading to passionate disagreements among locals.

There’s also controversy around commercialization. As Swiss desserts gain global recognition, some fear they will lose their rustic, homemade charm once mass-produced versions hit international markets. Others believe global interest helps preserve tradition by keeping these recipes alive. The tension between safeguarding heritage and sharing it widely is a recurring theme in Swiss cuisine.

Traditional Switzerland Desserts And Best Desserts In Switzerland To Try

1. Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel)

Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel) is one of the Switzerland’s traditional desserts and also you will find in Central Europe. Apple Strudel is made with a dough filled with apple, sugar and other filling that you will love to add. Apple Strudel is baked and perfect to partner with coffee.

2. SWISS MERINGUE

Swiss Meringue is a delicious one in the list of desserts in Switzerland. Swiss Meringue is made from whipped egg whites and sugar. You can add lemon and cream a perfect homemade dessert for Switzerland. You can find it in cafes and restaurants especially in Ticino Region in Switzerland.

3. SWISS CHOCOLATE

Swiss chocolate is a Swiss dessert popular over the world. You have to try them if you want for a cheaper price get them in the supermarkets. There are also souvenir shops everywhere selling Swiss chocolate.

4. GELATO

Gelato is the most popular of the desserts in Switzerland in Ticino Region. There are a few places where you can get gelato especially in summertime. There are many flavors, just go for your favorite one or try all of them ha! Prices start from 4-5 CHF.

5. Apricot Cake

Apricot Cake is one of my favorite desserts in Switzerland. The apricot cake is made with mixed butter, eggs, flour, sugar and apricots. Once everything is mixed you can bake and serve with sweetened whipped cream. Ideal to have apricot cake with tea or coffee.

6. Himbeerkuchen (Raspberry Cake)

Himbeerkuchen (Raspberry Cake) is the best of Switzerland’s traditional desserts in summer. The raspberry cake is made with butter, eggs, flour, and sugar mixed with raspberries. Once everything is mixed you can bake and serve with sweetened whipped cream. Ideal Swiss dessert to have apricot cake with tea or coffee.

7. Berliner

Berliner is a kind of doughnut with no hole in the middle popular in Switzerland and Central Europe. Berliner is a fried dough with sugar filled with jelly, chocolate inside or could be without filling.

8. BÜNDNER NUSSTORTE

Bündner Nusstorte is a traditional sweet pastry in Switzerland. If you are traveling with kids to Switzerland they will love this sweet Swiss food for dessert or anytime as a snack in Switzerland.

9. BASLER LÄCKERLI BISCUITS

Basler Läckerli is a traditional biscuit coming from Basel in Switzerland. Basler Läckerli is made of almonds, hazelnuts and honey with sugar mixed and baked. It’s ideal for you if you have a sweet tooth for dessert.

10. ZIMTSTERNE CINNAMON COOKIES (CHRISTMAS COOKIES)

Zimtsterne Cinnamon Cookies (Christmas Cookies) is made from the foam of whipped egg white, almonds, cinnamon, flour and sugar. Zimtsterne Cinnamon Cookies are popular in Christmas time in Switzerland and Germany. You will find it everywhere in winter and Christmas markets.

More Switzerland Traditional Desserts And Best Desserts In Switzerland To Try

11. Cremerolle

Cremerolle is originally from the Czech Republic but is also common in Switzerland and Central Europe. Cremerolle is a roll that is filled with whipped cream, marmalade or chocolate. Cremerolle is a perfect Swiss dessert to have with coffee.

12. Chocolate Fondue

Chocolate Fondue is another popular dish to try in Switzerland. Chocolate Fondue is chocolate melted and served in a pot heated and eaten you eat with bread using forks with sweets or fruits. It can be also made with cheese. The price per person can be around 15-20 CHF in restaurants.

13. Luxemburgerli

Luxemburgerli is like a sweet mini burger. Luxemburgerli is the Swiss Macaron exactly the same as the French Macaron that is so popular over the world. You can find in the bakeries and supermarkets in Switzerland and perfect gift dessert to bring if you get invited to a home.

14. Cremeschnitte

Cremeschnitte is a delicious dessert to try in Switzerland. Cremeschnitte is made of vanilla with Chantilly cream popular in Central Europe and you can get it in bakeries and supermarkets too in Switzerland.

Final Thoughts

Swiss desserts tend to stay under the radar compared to the country’s famous chocolate and cheese, but once you explore them, you realize how much you’ve been missing. These sweets showcase Switzerland’s regional diversity, with influences from Germany, France, and Italy blending into something uniquely Swiss. From airy meringues to hearty nut cakes, each dessert tells a quiet story of mountain life, craftsmanship, and a love of simple ingredients.

What makes Swiss desserts especially appealing is how balanced they are. Instead of overwhelming sweetness, they focus on texture, technique, and natural flavors. Whether it’s the crispness of a Bündner Nusstorte or the creaminess of a classic Swiss tart, these desserts feel indulgent without being heavy. They’re the kind of treats that linger in memory long after you’ve finished the last bite.

Ultimately, trying traditional Swiss desserts is a window into Swiss culture itself. They reflect the country’s values—precision, quality, and appreciation for seasonal ingredients. Discovering them is not just about satisfying a sweet craving but also about understanding how food shapes everyday life in one of Europe’s most quietly delicious countries.