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Desserts are a vast and diverse world unto themselves. From chocolatey to nutty or fruity, there are so many different types of desserts that sometimes it can become overwhelming to keep track of all of them. That’s why most professional bakers and master chefs prefer to categorise their desserts in some way, and the most convenient and easiest way to categorise desserts is in alphabetical order.
This article will focus on some of the most renowned desserts, starting with the letter 'W'. This is quite a versatile list, and the desserts all originate from various parts of the world. They are also unique in texture and taste, making use of a host of sweets as well as local and imported ingredients. However, no matter where they are from or what they are made of, they are equally delicious and widely beloved.
Check out the seven most popular desserts, beginning with the letter 'W.'
Whoopie Pie
Originating in the state of Maine in the US in the 1920s, the whoopie pie is a delightfully soft and creamy sweet treat that combines the essence of a cookie and a pie into a single decadent dessert. The whoopie pie comprises two pillowy cookies, typically flavoured with chocolate, holding together a rich filling that is traditionally made from marshmallows. In this sense, the whoopie pie resembles a cookie sandwich in appearance; the gooeyness of the whoopie pie also creates a wonderful, melt-in-the-mouth sensation when one bites into the dessert.
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White Chocolate Mousse
A French invention, the mousse is a classic, admired for its silky texture and luscious flavour. This sweet dish is also highly versatile, coming in numerous flavours, such as chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and more. White chocolate mousse, specifically, stands out for its sweet taste as well as its delicate and crumbly texture. It is typically topped off with berries or berry compote; not only does this element undercut the sweetness of the white chocolate, creating a balanced dish, but it also adds a dash of colour to an otherwise ordinary-looking dessert.
Image Credits: iStock
Whiskey Cake
This incredibly sinful and indulgent cake has roots in 18th century Ireland, where it was believed to act as a sweet treat for Irish families. The cake is also considered a culinary masterpiece for the inventive manner in which it blends an alcohol with a confection. The bitterness of the whiskey fuses with the sweetness of the chocolate to help craft a texturally complex and multidimensional dessert. The cake’s signature whiskey glaze imbues it with an added layer of flavour and feistiness.
Watermelon Sorbet
Sorbet is a timeless frozen sweet treat, the origin of which hasn’t yet been pinned down. Similar to other frozen desserts, the sorbet is available in a variety of flavours, including chocolate, coconut, raspberry, and more. A particularly invigorating sorbet flavour is the watermelon sorbet; this sorbet is coveted for its inherently revitalising and hydrating qualities, making it a summertime favourite. Characterised by its brilliant red colour and natural sweet flavour, watermelon sorbet acts as an effective palate cleanser for people to dig into after their meals.
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Waffles
Renowned for their crispy exterior and chewy interior, waffles enjoy an enviable status among desserts, doubling as both breakfast as well as dessert. Their popularity also stems from the fact that they blend well with a host of condiments, including chocolate, honey, maple, and more. Additionally, they can be topped off with a range of ingredients, both sweet and savoury, such as fruits, chocolate, nuts, bacon, and so on. Waffles are so entrenched in the global culinary culture that many countries have their own version of this classic.
Walnut Pie
Like the pecan pie, the walnut pie is an excellent nutty dessert that is a fixture during holidays and festivals in the US. This enticing pie is prepared by blending sugar, eggs, and butter to create a fingerlicking filling that is oozing with flavour and creaminess. The pairing of the crumbly pie crust and the tasty filling lend the sweet dish a wonderful textural complexity and elegance. This heartwarming dish is best enjoyed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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A lesser-known dessert, Watalappam is a type of custard or pudding that is native to the cuisine of Sri Lanka. Coconut is the hero ingredient of this fluffy sweet dish, which is typically made from coconut or condensed milk, mixed with jaggery, cashews, eggs, and spices, including cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg. Occasionally, pandan juice or vanilla pods are added to this dessert to provide it with more sweetness. Watalappam is typically a fixture during Sri Lankan weddings and festivals, especially Ramadan and Eid.
