10 seriously delicious Easter desserts from around the world

A popular Good Friday delicacy in the U.K., Australia, South Africa and beyond, hot cross buns are sweet, pillowy, fruit-filled dough balls emblazoned with a cross. Every baker fiddles with their signature spice blend, but you can expect notes of cinnamon, cloves, orange zest and nutmeg – the kinds of flavors you might find in mulled wine.

In Spain, Easter is celebrated over torrijas, a sophisticated cousin of French toast. Slices of day-old bread are soaked in milk (or wine, or sherry) that's infused with cinnamon and lemon rind before they are dunked in eggs and fried in plenty of oil. Locals serve the crispy, caramelized slices with a sprinkle of sugar or a cascade of earthy-sweet honey.

Perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing dessert on this list (which is really saying something), mazurek królewski is a Polish cake that's decorated in all sorts of sweet pastes, colorful preserves, dried fruits and nuts. It's pretty on the inside, too: Below the fanciful toppings, you'll find multiple layers of cake, more jam and frosting.

Nothing says spring like a slice of delicate, cloud-like ricotta cake – an Easter staple in Sicilian households. Akin to cheesecake, this holiday favorite is typically brightened up with a pinch of lemon zest, but some bakers take it one step further and add dried fruit to the filling. You'll even find some versions that sub the traditional pie crust for individual hand pies (think of it like an empanada stuffed with sweet cheese – yum!).

These saccharine and sticky South American candies are downright addictive and easily devoured in just two bites. Translating to "coconut sweet," cocadas are crafted with eggs, condensed milk and heaps of shredded coconut. Depending on what city you're in, you may find some rolled in almonds, studded with dried fruit, infused with baking spices or dyed to emulate the flag.

Around the world, masterful chocolatiers are pressing and filling stunning egg-shaped creations. Sure, the cheap drugstore variety will do in a pinch, but if you want to do Easter properly, you must upgrade to the good stuff. Some come adorned with crunchy cocoa pearls, while others are stuffed full of cream, fruit and bonbons – they're all undeniably delicious. Kind of makes you wonder why we don't demand egg-shaped candies year round.

Fruitcake can be so hit or miss (okay, mostly miss), but simnel cake is the exception. Maybe that's because this dessert, which is popular in the U.K. and Ireland, is gussied up with loads of marzipan. Sheets of the sugary almond paste are layered inside and on top of the pastry, and balls of the stuff are used as decorations. The treat traces its roots back to the Medieval times, so you know it's a safe bet for Easter potlucks.

In Spanish cities like Barcelona and València, Easter mona or mona de Pasqua is devoured on Easter Sunday surrounded by family. Historically, godparents would gift the decorative cake to their godchildren, but who's to say you can't buy one for yourself? The sweet treat ranges from super traditional (brioche topped with hard-boiled eggs) to wildly imaginative (cartoon character stuffed with crème brûlée), with pastry chefs consistently raising the bar year after year.

If you're thinking to yourself "that sounds and looks a lot like challah," you're not far off. This braided egg bread is an Easter must-have in Polish households. Oftentimes, the sweet loaf is studded with golden raisins, making leftovers ideal for bread pudding or French toast. You'll see it on the table again for other special holidays, including Christmas.

Eastern European households will recognize this traditional Russian dish that's not for the lactose intolerant. The molded cheesecake is made with sweetened farmer's cheese, eggs and butter, which are all pressed into a mold that marks the finished product with religious symbols. It can be adorned with dried fruits and easter eggs and is often presented with a lit candle.