Flour

This featherlight Japanese cheesecake is often called cotton cheesecake, and you can see how it gets its name from its incredibly delicate, wispy texture.

Thanks to a splash of fizzy 7UP soda, there’s no need for baking soda or baking powder in this classic Southern cake recipe.

This rose-scented kuih lapis is popular in the Malay community, served either as an evening snack or for breakfast and making an appearance at special events.

Castella cake is deliciously light and fluffy, and it goes great with afternoon tea and some marmalade or jam.

This impressive pastry, sometimes spelled Dobos torte, is among the most famous cakes from the Austro-­Hungarian Empire.

Calling something the “world’s best cake” is quite a statement, but it’s not something taken lightly by Norwegians.

The best tsukune, or Japanese chicken meatballs, are nicely caramelized, well seasoned, and juicy—and served straight off the grill.

Every café in Sweden has a version of kladdkaka, a luscious, under-baked chocolate cake.

One of the most famous cakes in Sweden, Prinsesstårta is known for its showstopping layers of sponge cake, pastry cream, and raspberry jam.

A classic Southern cake, after winning first prize at the county fair in Columbus, Georgia, Lane Cake also earned the name “Prize Cake.” 

This cake has been a favorite since 1965, when a girl won a baking competition with her grandmother’s secret family recipe.

Chef Reem Assil’s cookie bar version of ma’amoul—a holiday cookie enjoyed for Eid, Christmas, and Easter—is scented with espresso and orange blossom water.

Chef Reem Assil's version of Ma'amoul Med Bil Ashta—a holiday cookie enjoyed for Eid, Christmas, and Easter—that's famous in Lebanon.

Lemony sticky buns are the best buns.

Crisp, golden brown youtiao is a staple at the Chinese breakfast table.

These soft and chewy pancakes—inspired by atayef and Korean hotteok—are filled with nuts, sesame seeds, tahini, and grape molasses.

Basbousa is a semolina cake that's soft, dense, and flecked with texture throughout.

These date-filled cookies—qrass bil-tamr—are a typical Ramadan sweet, offered to guests and snacked on during the night before the fast begins again at dawn.

Maamoul are delicate pastries—filled with pistachios, walnuts, or dates—that are served on special occasions like Eid Al-Fitr and Easter.

Melon pan is a traditional sweet bun from Japan made of an enriched dough with a crispy cookie layer on top.