From mochi and taiyaki to matcha cookies and Japanese cheesecake, here are our most popular Japanese desserts of all time. You’ll want to try every single one!
21 Most Popular Japanese Desserts to Make At Home
One of the great joys in my kitchen is sharing Japanese desserts that feel like little treasures. From traditional wagashi to modern sweets, each dessert showcases Japan’s unique flavors.
In this post, I’ve rounded up 21 of the most popular Japanese desserts that you can enjoy making at home. Whether for a holiday, a potluck, or simple afternoon tea, these desserts are delicious, beautiful, and sure to impress.
Nami’s Quick Guide to Japanese Desserts
Japan is known worldwide for its exquisite desserts, thanks to a deep history of sweet-making traditions and a constant drive for culinary innovation. We take great pride in crafting sweets that are not only delicious but also visually attractive.
Here’s a quick primer to help you appreciate the world of Japanese desserts:
- Unique signature flavors: Matcha (green tea), azuki (sweet red bean paste), black sesame, hojicha, yuzu, and seasonal Japanese ingredients like sakura and plum.
- Wagashi Guide (History of Japanese Confectioneries): Rooted in centuries of culture and tea ceremony traditions, wagashi highlights natural flavors, seasonal beauty, and artistic presentation.
- Modern Japanese desserts: Inspired by Western techniques yet refined with Japanese ingredients and a lighter sweetness level. This balance results in desserts that are elegant, delicate, and stunning to serve.
Now, let’s dive into the recipes! I hope you’ll try as many of these recipes as possible.
If you have a favorite—or discover a new one—please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
Japanese Castella Cake
Treat yourself to this moist and bouncy Japanese honey sponge cake called Castella. Prized for its delicate crumb and lightly sweet flavor, it's a beloved tea snack and a great hostess gift, too. Bake a perfect Castella Cake at home with my techniques and tips!
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Black Sesame Cookies
Give your icebox cookies a Japanese twist with these sesame cookies. Flavored with black sesame, they’re sweet, nutty, and lightly savory all at once. They’ll surely stand out among your holiday sweets and baked goods.
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Japanese Cheesecake
Jiggly and fluffy Japanese Cheesecake is a crowd-pleasing dessert that everyone loves! I'll guide you through each step of this recipe and share my best tips so you can whip up a creamy, dreamy soufflé cheesecake that's as light and airy as a cloud.
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Matcha Swiss Roll (Roll Cake)
Matcha Swiss Roll is a fluffy sponge cake with a swirl of fresh matcha cream filling. Light, creamy, and mildly sweet, it‘s a delicious afternoon snack or post-dinner dessert to enjoy with coffee or tea. With its festive vibrant color from the green tea powder, this roll cake will be an instant favorite for any celebration, too.
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Dorayaki (Japanese Red Bean Pancake)
A classic Japanese confection, Dorayaki is a honey pancake sandwich filled with sweet red bean paste (anko). It‘s a wildly popular snack and dessert among children and adults alike in Japan.
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How to Make Mochi with a Stand Mixer
Make fresh Homemade Mochi (Japanese rice cakes) using a stand mixer and an electric rice cooker! Stuff the mochi with your favorite dessert filling, dip it in a savory or sweet coating, or enjoy it in red bean soup or Japanese New Year soup (ozoni).
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Chocolate Chiffon Cake
This classic Chocolate Chiffon Cake is airy, light, and spongy with a rich chocolate flavor and mild sweetness. Extremely popular in Japan, chiffon cakes are found in cafes and pastry shops across the country. This showstopper recipe will soon be your favorite dessert, too.
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Chocolate Gateau (Chocolate Cake)
Moist and rich Chocolate Gateau recipe is a classic dessert found in cafes and pastry shops across Japan. Topped with strawberries and fresh whipped cream, this decadent cake is a beautiful and elegant sweet treat to make at home for any festive occasion.
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Basic Dango Recipe
Japanese rice dumplings, also known as Dango, are a traditional Japanese sweet sold at street stalls and wagashi shops. They are chewy and sweet and come with many flavors like sweet soy glaze and red bean paste.
Japanese Strawberry Shortcake
Moist, airy, and light, Japanese Strawberry Shortcake is among the most popular cakes in Japan. This elegant and classic dessert is perfect for any celebration. Here, I share how to keep the sponge cake moist and decorate it with berries and fresh whipped cream.
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Matcha Cookies
Nothing says festive like these matcha green tea cookies. The earthy, unique flavor of matcha pairs perfectly with rich, buttery sweetness. Make a big batch for your cookie exchange, and don’t forget to save some for afternoon tea!
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Miso Butter Cookies
Crisp, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth, these Miso Butter Cookies make the most insanely delicious afternoon treat! They hit the right notes with a serious depth of flavor. You need only 7 pantry ingredients!
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Nama Chocolate
Silky-smooth Nama Chocolate made with fresh cream simply melts in your mouth. Rich, moist, and decadent, these sweets are a beloved gift from Japan. With my copycat recipe of the famous ROYCE® chocolate, you can easily recreate this special treat at home.
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Matcha Mille Crepe Cake
Matcha Mille Crepe Cake is a Japanese twist on the French classic of paper-thin crepes layered with fresh whipped cream. Light and creamy, it‘s a no-bake cake that‘s subtly sweet and slightly earthly from the green tea powder. This elegant dessert will wow your guests at any celebration!
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Purin (Japanese Custard Pudding)
Topped with a deliciously bittersweet caramel sauce, Purin (Japanese Custard Pudding) is a popular homemade dessert. This recipe is Japan‘s take on crème caramel—also called flan or caramel pudding. Follow my tips for a foolproof caramel and a silky smooth custard.
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Taiyaki (Japanese Fish Shaped Waffle)
A classic street vendor snack in Japan, Taiyaki is a warm, fish-shaped cake with sweet red bean filling. This waffle-like Japanese treat is very popular at street fairs and festivals. In this recipe, I‘ll show you how you can make fresh, hot Taiyaki at home.
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Pon de Ring Donut
Make your own Pon de Ring Donut at home just like Japan's Mister Donut with my copycat recipe! They are soft, airy, bouncy, and chewy all at once with a unique mochi-like texture. Enjoy them with either a classic or matcha glaze.
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Anmitsu (Japanese Kanten Jelly Dessert)
Celebrate summer with this cool and delightful Japanese dessert called Anmitsu! It's a Japanese wagashi dessert with kanten jelly, fruits, mochi, red bean paste, green tea ice cream, and a good drizzle of sweet black sugar syrup.
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Easy Japanese Coffee Jelly
If you like coffee, then you‘ll love my easy recipe for chilled Japanese Coffee Jelly. You only need 4 ingredients to make this classic treat to cool down on a hot summer day. Top it with fresh whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk for a touch of silky richness.
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Daifuku Mochi
A popular Japanese sweet treat, Daifuku is a small, round mochi filled with sweet red bean paste. This recipe shows how you can make this delicious snack at home with a quick steam on the stovetop or in the microwave.
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