100+ Desserts That Start With R

January 2, 2026

From the crowd-favorite red velvet cake to the creamy rozata, pistachios, there are many delicious desserts that start with the letter R. And, in this article, you’ll discover some of the best desserts beginning with R, including interesting facts and how to make one at home.

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Red Velvet Cake

Starting this list of desserts starting with R is the red velvet cake. This sumptuous dessert is known for its distinctive red color, mild cocoa flavor, and soft, velvety crumb. Of course, let’s not forget its rich, sweet cream cheese frosting!

So, how do you achieve its red color? Well, many bakers now add red food coloring, though older recipes used beet juice for moisture and color.

Roulade

Roulade is a rolled sponge cake that you can fill with berries, strawberries, blackberries, chocolates, pistachios, mascarpone, and many more! And yes, you can make a savory roulade —you can fill it with meat and even fish!

Fun Fact: Roulade comes from the French word rouler, which means “to roll.”

Raindrop Cake

Inspired by the Japanese mizu shingen mochi and popularized in the U.S. by Chef Darren Wong, this dessert looks exactly like a giant raindrop on your plate. So, what are its ingredients and, most importantly, what does it taste like?

Well, since it is just made with water and agar, it doesn’t have any flavor at all. But when it is topped with kinako and kuromitsu (soybean powder and sweet syrup), you get a sugared, roasted peanut flavor.

Raspberry Tart

This smooth and decadent dessert is made with rich vanilla pastry cream and set on a golden, buttery shortbread crust. Of course, on top, you’ll find fresh raspberries, which add a tangy bite that pierces through the sweet flavor.

Rocky Road Ice Cream

Of course, let’s not forget Rocky Road ice cream! This ice cream has a rich chocolate base mixed with fluffy marshmallows and crunchy nuts. There are conflicting reports about who made this ice cream—some say it’s William Dreyer, others say it was George Farren. Nevertheless, Rocky Road ice cream is a delicious flavor!

Rum Cake

Looking for a dessert with a kick? Consider a rum cake because its glaze is infused with rum. So, can you get drunk eating a rum cake? Well, even after baking (alcohol evaporates, by the way), there will be remnants, but it’s not potent enough for you to notice its effects. Alternatively, you can just use rum syrup or extract.

Fun Fact: The origin of rum cake can be traced back to the Caribbean.

Rhubarb Pie

If you haven’t tried rhubarb pie yet, you’re missing out on a spring and summer classic! This double-crust pie is made with tart rhubarb stalks and is often paired with strawberries and sour green apples for the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.

Fun Fact: There’s a National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day on June 9.

Rice Pudding

Rice pudding is a classic comfort dessert, but did you know it was originally like a savory porridge? Over the centuries, it became sweetened with sugar, eggs, and spices, evolving into the creamy treat we know today.

Rožata

The Rožata, a Croatian dessert, is a creamy caramel custard made with simple ingredients like milk, eggs, and sugar. But what really sets it apart is a splash of local rose liqueur called Rozalin, which gives it a subtle floral aroma. It’s traditionally served cold and is especially refreshing on a warm summer day.

Russian Tea Cake

Russian tea cakes are small, buttery cookies rolled in powdered sugar. These treats are often called snowballs or Mexican Wedding Cookies and usually include chopped nuts for texture and rich flavor.

Rijstevlaai

Most pies are filled with fruits, but not the Rijstevlaai because it has creamy vanilla rice pudding filling! So, what makes the Rijstevlaai different from other rice puddings? Well, it has a crispy crust that balances the creamy filling, with a bread-like flavor and a slight sweetness (thanks to its yeasted dough).

Roze Koek

Roze Koek is Dutch for “pink cake”. This treat is a small, flat, buttery cake topped with glossy pink fondant icing that looks as vibrant as it tastes. In Amsterdam, some people call them moesselientjes (“little Mussolinis”) because Italian‑run ice cream shops once sold them before World War II. While the classic version is pink, bakeries sometimes offer orange or yellow icing for holidays like King’s Day or Easter.