Mazurek — Poland

Mazurek takes the crown as Poland's most ornate Easter cake, with a flat shortcrust base topped with caramel, chocolate, and dried fruits. Families often spend 4 hours decorating a single 10-inch square, creating patterns with nuts and silver dragées. It costs about 35% less to make than tsoureki, using simpler pantry ingredients. A slice delivers 1,200 calories—50% more than #4 Hot Cross Buns—making it an indulgent finale to Easter brunch. The elaborate icing, often depicting lambs and spring flowers, sets it apart as the most visually striking item on this list. Traditional versions include 200 grams of dried apricots, echoing the sweetness of Greek tsoureki but with a crunchy, buttery crust. Mazurek keeps for 5 days without refrigeration, longer than any other festive pastry listed here.