Not worthy of discussing the entire trip if you ask me! I’ve written of the street foods and the best restaurant recommendation for Istanbul, only appropriate I end with a dive into the desserts of Turkey- some of the best sweets out there!
European bakeries are known for their diverse display cases. From the patisseries of Paris to the bakeries of German shoppes, bakeries line streets so you can salivate as you walk abroad. Pastane are Turkish pastry shops where the goods are primarily sweet (cakes, puddings, cookies) and Fırın are where you can find savory simits and breads. Spreads like the below are common on most every street in nearly every part of town. If it’s not filled with cakes, then baklavas of all sorts of shapes, sizes, and fillings line the windows. And if it’s not baklavas, then you’re looking at walls lined with jellies (or mountains of them like the above), dates and nuts that you purchase by the pound. Colorful candies and flavors ranging from white chocolate to rose to pomegranate can satisfy any sweet tooth. The best part is the shoppe owners are so determined that you will love it once you try it, they hand out samples left and right, even served with a sample of tea. Dessert is very obviously a part of the culture, with baklava reigning supreme.
The intricacy of these cakes is something to behold. Each vibrant and beautiful in its’ own way with details that make each their own. Often times cakes that are beautiful disappoint once you try. Fondants or icing make the decoration stunning to look at or even fun and entertaining but are too sweet and made of nothing but pure sugar, and the inside cake falls flat. Not with these treats. While mass made, and likely often by the same company no matter the bakery you go to, the cakes have real ingredients- from cocoa to the dried fruits. They taste like it too and while there may be a glaze or some form of icing, these are thin and don’t overpower the flavor your cakes are meant to be. The best is to grab a few and share with your crew.
I end with sweet cream ice cream. Found mixed into the sidewalks, there is something special about the ice cream you can get in Europe. I’ve noticed it everywhere from Bosnia (the best) to the UK and over to Israel. It might be the fresh ingredients or less preservatives, but it tastes more authentic, rich and overall satisfying. The ones in this post were purchased in the Prince’s Islands. A scenic ferry ride and you’re in one of the most popular spots to visit from Turkey. Known for the lack of cars on the streets, the views and unique street corners everywhere you turn, it is a must see if visiting. If a particularly warm day like we experienced, the main street has plenty of ice cream vendors vying for your attention with old school outfits and tempting designs of your cone. My go to for ice cream in the US is something filled with fixings- chocolate chips, cookie dough, brownie bites, some sort of caramel swirl. Not here though. Ice cream is so delicious and true to the flavor, I recommend getting strawberry or wild berry and seeing the raw difference yourself. Chocolate is never a bad decision, but Nutella and Hazelnut take that to the next level in these ice creams and then of course something fun. The blue “Superman.” Not necessarily recommendable if you are over the age of 14 but, nice for the Instagram 😉
