The Most Popular Dessert in New Zealand, Ranked

Choose the dessert you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:35
When it comes to selecting a dessert in New Zealand, the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming for both locals and visitors. By establishing a ranked list of the most favored options, it becomes easier to highlight which treats hold a special place in the hearts of diners and confectionery enthusiasts across the nation. This ranking serves not just as a guide but as a reflection of popular taste and regional preferences. Voting on this list offers a unique opportunity for everyone to have their say and see how their preferences compare with the broader community. Every vote contributes to a more dynamic, accurate representation of what is truly beloved in the country's culinary scene. The results not only influence diner choices but also showcase the diversity and innovation found in New Zealand's dessert offerings.

What Is the Most Popular Dessert in New Zealand?

  1. 1
    73
    votes
    This meringue-based dessert is often considered the national dessert of New Zealand and is a popular choice for special occasions. It is named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, who visited New Zealand in the 1920s.
    Pavlova is a popular and delicate dessert known for its crisp meringue crust and soft, marshmallow-like interior. It is typically served with whipped cream and a variety of fresh fruits, such as strawberries and kiwi. The dessert has a sweet and light texture, making it a perfect ending to a meal or a delightful treat on special occasions.
    • Meringue: Pavlova is primarily made from egg whites and sugar, whipped to form a stiff and glossy meringue.
    • Cornstarch: A small amount of cornstarch is added to the meringue mixture to create a soft and marshmallow-like interior.
    • Vinegar or Lemon Juice: A small amount of vinegar or lemon juice is often added to stabilize the meringue and help create a crisp crust.
    • Baking Time and Temperature: Pavlova is baked at a low temperature (typically around 250°F/120°C) for a long period of time to dry out the meringue while keeping the interior soft.
    • Whipped Cream: Pavlova is traditionally served with freshly whipped cream, which adds a creamy and smooth texture to balance the sweetness.
  2. 2
    25
    votes
    This classic New Zealand ice cream flavor is made with vanilla ice cream and chunks of honeycomb toffee. It is a popular choice for summer desserts.
    Hokey Pokey Ice Cream is a beloved frozen treat in New Zealand. It is a simple yet delightful combination of vanilla ice cream mixed with small, golden nuggets of honeycomb toffee. The toffee chunks, known as 'hokey pokey', add a delightful crunch and a sweet caramel flavor to the creamy vanilla base, creating a unique texture and taste experience.
    • Serving Style: Typically served in a cone or a bowl
    • Flavor: Vanilla with honeycomb toffee
    • Texture: Smooth and creamy with crunchy toffee bits
    • Color: Off-white with golden toffee chunks
    • Sweetness: Moderately sweet
  3. 3
    21
    votes
    Kiwifruit is a popular fruit in New Zealand, and this cheesecake recipe incorporates the sweet and tangy flavor of kiwifruit into a creamy dessert.
    Kiwifruit Cheesecake is a delicious dessert popular in New Zealand. It is a creamy and tangy cheesecake infused with the fresh and vibrant flavor of kiwifruit. This dessert perfectly balances the sweetness of the cheesecake with the tartness of the kiwifruit, creating a delightful combination of flavors.
    • Main Ingredients: Cream cheese, kiwifruit
    • Crust: Usually made with a mixture of crushed biscuits and melted butter
    • Topping: Fresh slices of kiwifruit on top of the cheesecake
    • Texture: Smooth and creamy
    • Size: Typically served in individual portions or as a large cake
  4. 4
    28
    votes
    This iconic New Zealand candy is a marshmallow fish covered in chocolate. It is a popular treat for children and adults alike.
    The Chocolate Fish is a beloved confectionary treat in New Zealand. It is made from a smooth milk chocolate exterior shaped like a fish, with a soft and creamy marshmallow filling. The combination of the rich chocolate coating and fluffy marshmallow creates a delightful texture and taste experience.
    • Shape: Marshmallow fish shape
    • Marshmallow: Pink or white marshmallow
    • Coating: Milk chocolate
    • Usage: Sweet treat or decoration
    • Size: Approximately 12 cm in length
  5. 5
    26
    votes
    Anzac Biscuits
    pfctdayelise · CC BY-SA 2.5
    These oat and coconut cookies are named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) and are traditionally eaten on ANZAC Day.
    Anzac Biscuits are a traditional Australian treat with a rich history. They are a type of oat cookie that has a chewy texture and a distinct caramel flavor. The biscuits are made using rolled oats, flour, sugar, butter, golden syrup, baking soda, and desiccated coconut. Anzac Biscuits are typically baked until they are golden brown and have a crisp exterior with a soft and chewy center.
    • Origin: Australia/New Zealand
    • Typical Ingredients: Rolled oats, flour, sugar, butter, golden syrup, baking soda, desiccated coconut
    • Texture: Chewy
    • Flavor: Caramel
    • Color: Golden brown
    Anzac Biscuits in other rankings
  6. 6
    11
    votes
    This no-bake cake is made with malt biscuits, marshmallows, and chopped candy. It is a popular treat for children's parties.
    Lolly Cake is a popular and beloved dessert in New Zealand. It is a no-bake treat made by combining crushed malt biscuits with melted butter, sweetened condensed milk, and colorful fruit-flavored sweets called lollies. The mixture is then rolled into a log shape and refrigerated until firm. The result is a firm yet moist cake-like dessert with a sweet and slightly chewy texture. Lolly Cake is often enjoyed as a slice or served in individual portions.
    • Main Ingredients: Malt biscuits, butter, sweetened condensed milk, fruit-flavored sweets (lollies)
    • Preparation Time: 10-15 minutes
    • Setting Time: 3-4 hours (refrigeration)
    • Texture: Firm, moist, slightly chewy
    • Appearance: Colorful, speckled with lollies
  7. 7
    5
    votes
    Ginger Crunch
    DrThneed · CC BY-SA 4.0
    This classic New Zealand slice is made with a ginger-flavored base and a sweet icing. It is a popular choice for afternoon tea.
    Ginger Crunch is a beloved and traditional New Zealand dessert. It is a delicious slice made with a rich and crumbly ginger-flavored biscuit base, topped with a generous layer of smooth ginger icing. The combination of buttery, spicy, and sweet flavors makes it hard to resist.
    • Texture: Crumbly and crunchy
    • Flavor: Spicy ginger with a hint of sweetness
    • Base: Buttery biscuit made with flour, butter, sugar, and ground ginger
    • Icing: Smooth and creamy ginger icing made with butter, icing sugar, and ginger
    • Size: Usually cut into small rectangular slices
  8. 8
    3
    votes
    Fruit Salad
    Mx. Granger · CC0
    This simple dessert is made with a variety of fresh fruits, such as kiwifruit, strawberries, and pineapple. It is a refreshing choice for summer desserts.
    Fruit Salad is a classic breakfast dish in England that consists of a combination of various fresh fruits. It is typically served cold and is known for its refreshing and light taste.
    • Ingredients: Assorted fresh fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, grapes, and kiwi, among others.
    • Preparation: The fruits are typically washed, peeled, and chopped into bite-sized pieces. They are then mixed together in a bowl.
    • Sugar or Syrup: Optional addition of sugar or syrup to enhance sweetness, although many prefer to enjoy the natural flavors of the fruits.
    • Serving: The Fruit Salad is usually served in a bowl or a plate, sometimes accompanied by yogurt or cream.
    • Variations: Different variations of Fruit Salad may include adding nuts, coconut flakes, or a sprinkle of lemon juice for added flavor.
    Fruit Salad in other rankings
  9. 9
    11
    votes
    This layered dessert is made with sponge cake, custard, fruit, and whipped cream. It is a popular choice for Christmas desserts.
    Trifle is a popular British dessert that consists of layers of cake, custard, fruit, and whipped cream. It is typically served chilled and is known for its visually appealing layers and a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
    • Layers: It consists of multiple layers, including sponge cake or ladyfingers, fruit (such as berries or canned fruit), custard, and whipped cream.
    • Custard: Custard is an essential component of trifle, adding a creamy and rich texture to the dessert.
    • Fruit: Fresh or canned fruit is often used in trifle, providing a burst of flavor and juiciness.
    • Sponge Cake: Sponge cake or ladyfingers are traditionally used as the base layer, adding a soft and spongy texture.
    • Jelly: Jelly (gelatin) is sometimes added as a layer, adding a wobbly and fruity element to the trifle.
  10. 10
    7
    votes
    This classic New Zealand dessert is made with a lemony sponge cake and a sweet custard sauce. It is a comforting choice for winter desserts.
    Lemon Delicious Pudding is a classic and beloved dessert in New Zealand. It is a warm and comforting pudding with a light and tangy lemon flavor. The pudding has a soft and moist texture with a thin, crispy top layer. It is often served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added richness.
    • Flavor: Lemon
    • Texture: Soft and moist
    • Key Ingredients: Lemon zest, lemon juice, butter, sugar, eggs, milk
    • Preparation Method: Baking
    • Serving Temperature: Warm

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Ranking factors for popular dessert

  1. Online and offline surveys
    Conducting surveys both online and offline can help gather insights on people's preferences for various types of desserts.
  2. Customer reviews
    Gauging customer satisfaction and sentiments through online reviews and feedback on popular food websites, forums, and platforms can help determine the popularity of specific desserts.
  3. Local and traditional influence
    Evaluate the prominence of local ingredients, native desserts, and seasonal specials that have a significant influence on the popularity of a dessert in New Zealand culture.
  4. Social media engagement and trends
    Monitoring social media platforms can help determine which desserts are being discussed, shared, and celebrated by people in New Zealand. Analyzing trends and hashtags can additionally help identify rising popularity of certain desserts.
  5. Availability
    Assess the presence of the dessert in different locations, restaurants, and channels of distribution, as this can affect the overall popularity.
  6. Demographic preferences
    Consider age, gender, and cultural background, as these factors may influence dessert preferences among different groups of New Zealanders.
  7. Health and dietary trends
    In the modern age, more consumers are concerned about health and dietary requirements, such as low-sugar options, vegan desserts, and gluten-free options. Considering these trends can help identify which desserts are gaining popularity among health-conscious New Zealanders.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular dessert in New Zealand. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Dessert is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2687 views
  • 213 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Dessert once every 24 hours. The rank of each Dessert is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular dessert in new zealand

New Zealanders have a sweet tooth when it comes to dessert. With a rich culinary history and a love for all things sweet, it's no surprise that there are a plethora of delicious desserts to choose from in New Zealand. From classic pavlovas to sweet pies and cakes, there's a dessert for every occasion. But with so many options available, which one is the most popular among Kiwis? It's time to find out! In this article, we'll delve into the world of New Zealand desserts and discover which one reigns supreme.

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