The world is full of culinary delights.
If you’re anything like me, you probably gravitate towards the sweeter treats.
From the dawn of human civilization, diet has been an important part of our lifestyle. Over the centuries, our palettes have evolved—and sugar is one of the biggest distinctions you’d find between an ancient menu and a modern one.
Regardless of where you travel, you’ll be able to find unique desserts. In fact, sampling new treats might be high on your list of reasons to travel—especially if you’re a foodie.
But Americans might not need to travel too far to find a delicious treat. If you’re taking a fine-tooth comb to some of the world’s tastiest desserts, you’ll notice many originated in the United States.
Given our love for all things sweet and delectable, that shouldn’t come as a surprise.
But can you list 10 of the most famous desserts from around the United States?
Bananas Foster
New Orleans, 1950s
This tasty treat combines bananas and vanilla ice cream with brown sugar, dark rum, and cinnamon. The rum comes last, added to the top of the dessert once the bananas are cooked and the ice cream scooped. Once the rum is poured, it’s lit on fire in a cajun-style tableside flambé.
Gooey Butter Cake
Saint Louis, 1930s
Rumors abound about how this cake was invented—either due to a recipe mishap or a serious love of butter from a cook in Saint Louis. The result was a sweet, rich, and semi-firm cake that’s heavy on the butter. Typically only an inch tall, this mini-cake is a next-level take on sugary opulence.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Massachusetts, 1940s
I’m so sorry to tell you, but the US didn’t invent apple pie. (It was the Netherlands.)
But we do have the chocolate chip cookie to our name—and if you’ve ever baked a batch yourself, you probably already know the name of this treat’s inventor. That would be Ruth Graves Wakefield, owner of the Toll House Inn. (Full disclosure: not everyone believes Wakefield invented the chocolate chip cookie.)
Boston Cream Pie
Boston, 1856
What do you get when you combine sponge cake, custard, and chocolate glaze? The best thing to come out of Boston: Boston Cream Pie. This custard cake is described as a ‘direct descendant’ of the Washington Pie and pudding cake, which came from an Armenian-French chef back in the mid-19th century.
Banana Split
Philadelphia, mid-1800s
If I had to make an appeal on the most American dessert, it might be the iconic banana split. (Again, I’m so sorry, Apple Pie.) The banana split started to evolve alongside soda shops in Pennsylvania in the mid-1800s. This culminated in an official recipe in 1907, which required maraschino cherries and cutting the banana long-ways.
Key Lime Pie
The Florida Keys, 1930s
The key lime pie evolved from a previous recipe that was published in 1931, known as the ‘magic lemon cream pie’. This straightforward desert combined elements of custards and whipped pies. Just combine lemon juice, rind, egg yolks, and condensed milk—then pop it in the fridge. Thanks to this traditional cooling, the Key Lime Pie was originally dubbed ‘icebox lime pie’.
S’mores
1900s
Maybe I spoke too soon in the banana split section above.
Partly thanks to a cameo in the classic film The Sandlot, its association with campfires, and the fact that this treat was invented by the Boy Scouts of America, most Americans love s’mores.
Not only are they delicious, but they tend to bring a nostalgic feeling with them… along with debates on just how burnt a marshmallow should be to create the perfect s’more.
Angel Food Cake
Kentucky, 1830s
This butterless cake is made by whipping egg whites, flour, and sugar into a stiff but light sponge concoction. I’ll be the first to admit that angel food isn’t too popular these days; in fact, its popularity peaked back in the late 1800s. But it’s a delicious treat that I’ve yet to taste outside the US, which makes it distinctly American.
Cupcakes
Albany, late 1700s
Who would have guessed that cupcakes were an American invention dating back to the 18th century? The original recipe was from American Cookery, written in 1796. It described how to bake light cakes in small cups that were designed as a single serving.
Funnel Cake
Pennsylvania, late 1800s
To be fair, many cultures around the world have some variation of the funnel cake. From Italy’s zeppola to India’s jalebi, you can find fried doughs galore around the world. But the US’s version started in Dutch colonies back in the late 1800s. Today, we know it as a staple of state fairs and other festivals.