12 Tasty Desserts that Start with J (with Pictures)

Nothing puts a smile on my face like a delicious dessert. If you are a sweet tooth like me, it’s likely that you’ve indulged in a wide array of sweets — spanning from A to Z. But how much do you know about desserts that start with J?

A jam tart, jubilee pudding, jelly doughnut, jello mold, juice popsicles, jaffa cake, junket, Judy’s strawberry pretzel sandwich, juniper berry pie, jackfruit pie, jalapeno brownies, Jumpin’ Jimmy Coffee Cake, and junket are some of my favorite sweet endings to a meal.

If you have run out of ideas and would like to discover a new dessert without having to go through the entire alphabet, take a look at the following list. Here are 12 delicious cakes, pies, biscuits, and other delights starting with J, along with some tips and tricks on how to make them.    

Jam Tart

Jam tart is a simple dessert perfect for cozy autumn and winter days. Crunchy crust and smooth, fruity jam combine into a contrasting yet satisfying texture that will bring joy to any pastry lover.

The best thing about it is that you can use any type of jam — from strawberry, cranberry, and raspberry to apricot and peach, with crushed or whole fruits.

Jubilee Pudding

If you are looking for a dessert worthy of a queen, then look no further. Rich, classy, and a bit over-the-top, jubilee pudding will spoil you in the best possible way. Made with swiss rolls, amaretto truffle, lemon curd, whipped cream and white chocolate, this dessert is a true mouthful.

An amateur baker created jubilee pudding during a TV contest celebrating the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign in 2022, and it soon gained popularity with sweet tooths everywhere.

Jelly Doughnut

In case you prefer something more mundane to sweeten up your meal, a jelly doughnut is always a great choice. Fluffy pastry filled with raspberry or strawberry jelly or jam is one of my favorite comfort foods. 

The taste of a jelly doughnut is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. When you take a bite, you first experience the soft and fluffy texture of the dough, which is often slightly sweet and enriched with butter or oil. The dough has a mild, yeasty flavor – a neutral base for the fruity ingredients.

Jello Mold

Jello mold is one of the most iconic desserts. Fruity, refreshing, and wobbly, this dessert is a source of fun, especially for children. It is easy to make and perfectly smooth, yet you can always give it some texture by adding fresh fruits or a fluffy crust.

In addition to texture, fruits and various shapes of molds can also be used to create beautiful and tasty jello art. If you would like to impress your dinner guests with a simple yet creative dessert, consider trying this recipe.   

Juice Popsicles

This refreshing and easy-to-make dessert is the perfect way to beat the summer heat. Juice popsicles don’t take much effort, yet similar to jello, mold allows you to play with textures, shapes, and flavors. 

Although classic juice popsicles contain juice and sugar or honey, I like to make it a bit more exciting by adding chopped fruits or dipping them into melted chocolate, making them crunchy. However, if you would like to try coating popsicles with chocolate, make sure they are fresh out of the freezer and never dip them into warm melted chocolate.  

Jefferson Davis Pie 

Jefferson Davis pie is a dessert made with heavy cream, bourbon, vanilla plant or extract, raisins, various nuts, brown sugar, and all-purpose flour, as well as some crispy pie crust. It takes around one hour to prepare, and the final result is a decadent sweet delight. There is a high possibility that it will remind you of the Southern Chess Pie.

This dessert got its name from the first President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, and today is known as one of the favorite desserts of Southern cuisine. If you are looking for a pie with rich flavor and subtle contrasts in texture, this one might be just what you are looking for.

Jaffa Cake

Jaffa Cakes are a popular British sweet treat consisting of a soft sponge base, a layer of orange jelly, and a coating of smooth, dark chocolate. The sponge base is light, with a delicate texture, contrasting creamy orange jelly. If you are making your jelly with orange juice or concentrate, make sure to add some lemon or orange juice to enhance the citrusy aroma.

Judy’s Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Judy’s Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a classic dessert that combines sweet, salty, and creamy flavors, creating that umami taste you are looking for. Although Judy’s strawberry pretzel is not as regular on my menu as I would like it to be, it always brings a smile to my face.

The most exciting thing about it is a combination of salty pretzels, creamy filling made of cream cheese, whipped cream, powdered sugar, and a layer of strawberry jelly. It takes about two hours to prepare, and the final result is more than worth the trouble.

Juniper Berry Pie

Juniper berries have a distinct flavor, resembling pine, and are slightly citrusy, which makes them a perfect fruit for a pie. The unusual taste makes a perfect balance with a fine and crunchy pie crust. Since juniper berries are less sweet than other berries, you might need more sugar for the filling. You can also combine these berries with other fruits such as piers, vanilla, or chocolate cream.

Jackfruit Pie

If you are more into desserts with tropical flavors, jackfruit pie will fulfill your expectations. This dish also has a salty variation, yet with apple juice, sultana grapes, cinnamon or nutmeg, buttery crust dough, and sugar, jackfruit pie makes a wonderful dessert.

Jackfruit pie is a delightful twist on traditional fruit pies and is enjoyed by those seeking a unique and exotic dessert experience.

Jalapeno Brownies

In case you like thinking outside the box while baking brownies, you might have already considered adding some uncommon ingredients. Still, have you ever considered adding jalapeno pepper?

The jalapenos add a subtle heat and a unique, slightly tangy flavor to the brownies. This delightful twist on traditional brownies with spicy and savory elements in a rich and chocolatey treat creates a real fusion of flavors.

Jumpin’ Jimmy Coffee Cake

Jumpin’ Jimmy Coffee Cake is a creamy and rich dessert that brings sweetness and joy to your taste buds. It has layers of decadent, sweet goodness that create a flavorful experience. Each bite offers a blend of sweetness and a joyful, uplifting sensation that pairs perfectly with a late afternoon latte.

Junket

This Scandinavian classic is a creamy and smooth dessert with a pudding-like texture. It contains sweetened milk combined with vanilla, strawberry, or other flavors. It is easy to prepare and takes 10 to 15 minutes to prepare. You can serve it with fruits, fruit jams, and some crunchy biscuits.

Which one will you try next? I’m excited to hear from you in the comments below!