9 Lithuanian Desserts, Cakes and Sweets You’ll Want to Try

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We all know that Lithuanians tend to like savory foods (particularly if they can involve potato somehow, like the Lithuanian national dish). If one had to choose between savory and sweet in Lithuania, I’m pretty confident that the best Lithuanian desserts will swing you firmly into the sweet corner – if for no other reason than Lithuanian cakes and desserts are a great mixture of traditional and Eastern European flavors.

But that’s not to say that Lithuanian desserts haven’t developed a distinct charm of their own. Many of them indeed share roots with Lithuania’s Baltic neighbors and further afield, but a national love of sweets and desire for innovation has meant that many of these desserts have become uniquely Lithuanian. We’ve rounded up the Lithuanian cakes and desserts that will get you booking a flight to Lithuania.

1. Tinginys

If we had to choose one dessert on the Lithuanian desserts menu which you simply must try, it would likely be tinginys which is the Lithuanian word for lazy or sloth. Lithuanians can’t seem to agree on the origin of this dessert. Some say it was a lazy Lithuanian made this cake because he didn’t want to bake, others say it was a woman who accidentally made it. But one thing everyone agrees on is that this simple dessert is absolutely delicious.

Tinginys was traditionally made with chocolate and cookies. Nowadays you’ll find tinginys made with all sorts of flavors including caramel and pistachio (with cookie pieces, of course). For us, traditional desserts with a new twist are always the most exciting, and somehow tinginys – even in its simplicity – manages to be so versatile.

Tinginys slightly resembles what chocolate would be like if it were closer to salami. In any case, it’s become a staple in Lithuanian homes. Tinginys is served everywhere from casual establishments to some of the best restaurants in Vilnius.

Best place to try tinginys

Tinginys is best enjoyed with tea or coffee at one of the best cafes in Vilnius. In particular, Coffee Spells serves up some of the tastiest tinginys you can find at a cafe in Vilnius. Otherwise, ask a Lithuanian local where to find the best tinginys, and you’ll be surprised just how animated they get.

2. Šakotis

Šakotis (pronounced “sha-ko-tis“) is a festive cake that has cemented its place as the star of the Lithuanian dessert scene (there’s even a šakotis museum). Part of the joy of eating šakotis is staring at it before you eat it: it looks like a tree with horizontal branches, but then the similarities to a tree end very quickly when you find out that it’s a cake created by painting layers of batter onto a rotating spot over an open fire.

If you think about it, šakotis is kind of like s’mores in concept, but obviously completely different.

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Given that it’s cooked over an open fire, you’re right to think that šakotis has a wonderfully crunchy exterior but – and this you may not have guessed – it has a delicate interior with a texture akin to a half-baked cookie. The distinctive spikey “branches” of the tree are what make it look as aesthetically pleasing as it is.

I can’t say for certain, but it seems like there’s an unofficial competition for tallest šakotis among Lithuanian bakeries. As you explore Lithuania, you’ll see some incredibly tall and impressive šakotis around. You’d need a small family to get that one finished in a sitting.

Best place to try šakotis

The thing about šakotis is that it’s in virtually every bakery, supermarket and food market throughout the country. But that doesn’t mean they’re all made equal. The kind you find in supermarkets and convenience stores is usually loaded with preservatives, so the best place to try šakotis is at a local bakery which makes them fresh.

3. Varškėčiai

It’s no secret that Lithuanians love curd cheese, and naturally they’ve found an excellent place to put cheese curd: in a small, thick pancake usually served with fruit, jam (usually applesauce) or sour cream known as varškėčiai. This is a dish that is nominally served at breakfast time, but restaurants (even some of the best in Vilnius) and cafes realize the popularity of pancakes goes well beyond breakfast.

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These aren’t your usual super sweet American pancakes. Instead, varškėčiai have a more tangy flavor from the tart cheese, rather than bucketloads of syrup creating a sweeter flavor. In many ways, they’re the perfect blend of sweet and savory, and are probably just an excuse for Lithuanians to use curd cheese in a sweeter dish.

Best place to try varškėčiai

Varškėčiai isn’t terribly hard to find at traditional restaurants throughout the country, but not necessarily on the dessert menu that you’re given. These pancakes are sometimes only included on the kid’s menu. If you’re struggling to find them on the adult dessert menu, there’s a good chance they’re on the children’s menu.

4. Grybukai

Grybukai translates to little mushrooms, but they only look like that – they’re actually sweet cookies with a soft, cake-like “stem” and a crisp meringue “cap” which are nowadays made with all kinds of flavors but are usually made with cocoa. These little Lithuanian cakes are often enjoyed with tea or coffee or in addition to another dessert.

Lithuanians have taken the appearance of this dessert as a mushroom to the nth degree in that they even go so far as to serve them in cardboard or wooden boxes, almost as if they’ve been foraged. It’s not a stretch of the imagination to think that these Lithuanian cookies were inspired by the rich mushroom-foraging tradition of the country.

Best place to try grybukai

Luckily for you, virtually every bakery in the country serves these cookies. If you’re looking for the best of them, we recommend Kmynine which has a few locations throughout Vilnius.

5. Varškės spurgos

The Lithuanians aren’t done putting curd cheese in their desserts, and we’re glad to say that they’ve put them in donuts which are crispy on the outside and soft and cheesy on the inside. But don’t let the use of the word ‘donuts’ throw you off: varškės spurgos are quite different to what we know as American donuts.

Varškės spurgos are made by incorporating curd cheese into the dough, resulting in a tangier and slightly chewier texture (almost similar to mochi) than you would expect from a donut. Having said that, these are still coated with powdered sugar and occasionally drizzled with honey to make sure they’re sweet.

Best place to try varškės spurgos

Lithuania is graced with the presence of a chain bagel and donut shop known as Holy Donut. If you’re going to allocate the calories for varškės spurgos, we recommend you enjoy them there.

6. Obuolių sūris

I need to state at the outset: the English translation of this dessert is simply not appetizing to the ears. But this is one of those Lithuanian desserts which will catch you by surprise. Obuolių sūris, or simply apple cheese, is a dessert made of stewed or cooked apples which are sweetened with honey. Despite its name, there isn’t any cheese in this dessert.

Best place to try obuolių sūris

One of the best places to try obuolių sūrisis is Hales Turgus in Vilnius. Here, you’ll find a number of stalls selling this treat.

7. Varškės pyragas

We’re back to the Lithuanian favorite, curd cheese. Many will describe this as a cottage cheese pie or even a cheesecake. However, the use of curd cheese means this cake has a bouncy texture with a tangy flavor. We saw it served in a variety of different ways, but the best is without a pastry base and served with sour cream.

Best place to try varškės pyragas

There are many places to try varškės pyragas, but if you want the full experience of a traditional Lithuanian cottage cheese pie, you simply must go to Jega in Hales Turgus in Vilnius. The proprietor handmakes the varškės pyragas every day (except Mondays, we understand). The cake is served with a side of caramel syrup and sour cream which is essential to cut through the tartness.

8. Riešutėliai

First, a warning: it is far too easy to eat many of these little Lithuanian desserts without realizing it. Riešutėliai are nutshell-shaped semi-soft cookies that are a Lithuanian favorite. They’re filled with a dollop of rich condensed milk paste that is similar in texture and flavor to dulce de leche (not so different from Argentinian alfajores).

Once the two halves are filled, they’re combined together to create the “nut.” It’s uncommon to find these made with different fillings, but we’re hopefully that Lithuanians will start making them with pistachio cream and jams because the crunchy-ish cookie is just too delightful to be kept to just condensed milk (although we’re not complaining).

Best place to try riešutėliai

The restaurants and eateries along the water in Trakai serve riešutėliai, but you can find them in most bakeries throughout the country.

9. Pyragaičiai svajonė

These Lithuanian desserts are often served in bite-sized form. At their core, pyragaičiai svajonė are little yoghurt cakes with fruit filling and topped with desiccated coconut. They’re absolutely delicious and quite moreish. Much like riešutėliai you’ll need to monitor how many you’re eating, as your hand keeps going back for more.

Best place to try pyragaičiai svajonė

You’ll find pyragaičiai svajonė in bakeries though it might not be particularly clear that they’re there. You’ll want to ask the shop assistant if they have any.

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