Experience the vibrant flavors and colors of Puerto Rico’s iconic desserts without leaving home. The island’s renowned cuisine is a major contributor to its status as the Caribbean’s most beloved destination, making it essential to try these traditional treats when visiting. But don’t worry if you can’t make it there just yet – with 25 scrumptious Puerto Rican desserts to recreate from scratch, you can bring a taste of the tropical island right to your doorstep.
From classic holiday treats like Coquito to rich and creamy Flan de Queso, this list has something for every sweet tooth. If pastry lovers are reading, be sure to check out #6 for a treat that’s sure to satisfy.
Tres Leches
The iconic Tres Leches cake boasts a unique characteristic – its tender and airy bread, which sets it apart from other desserts. This sweet treat is made by soaking the bread in a blend of three types of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and full-fat milk. The moistness is then enhanced by topping it with a rich and creamy whipped cream. The result is a straightforward yet irresistible delight that’s sure to please even the most discerning palates.
In Cuba, Tres Leches is a staple in almost every bakery, often enjoyed as a snack paired with coffee or juice for a satisfying treat.
Tembleque
Tembleque, the iconic Puerto Rican Christmas dessert, earns its name ‘to tremble’ due to its signature wobbly texture. This festive treat’s foundation is built on coconut milk, which provides a rich and creamy base. A sprinkle of cinnamon adds an extra layer of sweetness, making it a true showstopper. While traditional Tembleque enthusiasts swear by the classic coconut flavor, modern twists have emerged, including variations infused with Nutella, pumpkin, and piña colada.
The pudding’s versatility has resulted in a delightful array of flavors, each one more enticing than the last.
Arroz Con Dulce
Arroz Con Dulce, a traditional dessert, boasts a rich and creamy texture courtesy of its trifecta of coconut milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk. To elevate its flavor profile, this sweet treat incorporates an assortment of spices and additional ingredients, including plump raisins and warm cinnamon, resulting in a delightfully complex taste experience.
Coquito
When it’s time to cap off your meal with something sweet, consider indulging in Coquito, a beloved Puerto Rican coconut drink infused with rum. This creamy concoction is typically served at Christmas gatherings and boasts a rich, eggnog-like flavor profile courtesy of its blend of coconut milk, spices, condensed milk, coconut cream, and a splash of rum. Noted for its thick consistency, Coquito is best savored chilled.
One of its greatest charms lies in the fact that the effects of the rum won’t hit you immediately, allowing you to enjoy a few glasses before the drink’s boozy nature sets in.
Majarete
While Majarete’s recipe may differ across countries, its Puerto Rican variant stands out for its use of rice flour. The simplicity of this dessert belies its rich flavors, which are achieved with a shortlist of ingredients. Condensed milk and coconut milk form the base of the pudding, while the addition of vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks, and cinnamon powder adds depth and aroma.
Quesito
Inspired by Spanish traditions, Quesito is a scrumptious pastry that boasts an intriguing combination of textures. The outer layer is characterized by a sticky, sweet coating that provides a delightful contrast to the flaky, cheesy interior.
The unique composition of Quesito involves a harmonious blend of honey, egg white, and caramelized sugar, resulting in a gooey and indulgent treat.
Its rich flavor profile makes it an ideal accompaniment to a warm cup of coffee, a refreshing glass of juice, or a soothing mug of hot chocolate.
Queso Blanco Con Pasta De Guayaba
Queso Blanco Con Pasta De Guayaba, a delightful combination of white cheese and guava paste, is surprisingly straightforward to prepare. With only two essential components – white cheese and guava paste – you’re just a few simple steps away from enjoying this tasty treat. Once assembled, the Queso Blanco can be served in various forms: sliced for easy snacking or cubed and stacked for added visual appeal.
For an added layer of flavor, consider pairing it with a cracker as the base, which will introduce a subtle salty note to balance out the sweetness.
Budin
Budin, a beloved traditional bread pudding, undergoes a transformation that’s just as fascinating as its final product. The raisins-infused dessert requires days of careful preparation to achieve its signature cake-like consistency. This beloved treat has been passed down through generations by grandmothers and remains an integral part of the country’s cuisine. However, the process of creating Budin is not for the impatient, as it demands time and attention.
The bread must first be meticulously cut into small pieces and then left to soak in a rich mixture of milk and spices, allowing its texture to soften and absorb the flavors. The end result is well worth the wait, but only those willing to invest the necessary time and effort will truly appreciate the artistry that goes into crafting this timeless dessert.
Pastelillos De Guayaba
In many Latin American festivals and celebrations, Pastelillos De Guayaba takes center stage as a beloved treat. These sweet pastries boast a tender, soft dough and a luscious guava filling that provides the perfect balance of flavors. After being baked to a golden brown perfection, each pastry is gently dusted with powdered sugar before being served, adding an extra touch of sweetness and elegance.
Besitos De Coco
Indulge in the essence of the Caribbean with Besitos De Coco’s mouthwatering treats. These bite-sized wonders deliver a perfect balance of textures, featuring crunchy exteriors giving way to soft, chewy interiors. The sweet aroma of shredded coconut fills every bite, making them an irresistible snack or indulgent treat.
Dulce De Grosellas
Dulce De Grosellas, a sweet treat, is rooted in the essence of red currant, a type of gooseberry boasting a complex bittersweet flavor profile. While this ingredient may be elusive to track down, its unique characteristics make it well worth the search. Once obtained, the traditional dessert recipe can be easily followed, requiring only a moderate amount of time and effort to prepare.
The process involves boiling the currants in a sweet and tangy mixture of sugar, cinnamon, and lime juice, yielding a delightful final product.
Flan De Queso
In Latin America, flans are a beloved dessert known for their richness and creaminess. However, Flan de Queso takes it to the next level with a tangy twist courtesy of the added cream cheese. The result is a unique flavor profile that has locals experimenting with different variations. From classic tres leches and Nutella to coffee, jack fruit, and pistachio, the possibilities are endless.
Mampostial
In Puerto Rican cuisine, it’s common for traditional desserts to feature a sweet and creamy combination of sugar and coconut. This characteristic is particularly evident in Mampostial, also known as marrallo, which boasts an intriguing blend of cane molasses and shredded coconut as its core ingredients. When combined, these elements produce a rich and indulgent mixture that’s carefully baked to achieve the perfect texture before being shaped into bite-sized candy bars.
Limber
Beat the heat on a sweltering summer day by indulging in a refreshing treat that’s equal parts popsicle and ice cream. Limber is a unique dessert that combines fruit juice, sugar, condensed milk, coconut milk, and water to create a rich and creamy experience that will leave you feeling cool and refreshed.
Candied Papaya (Dulce de Lechosa)
Dulce De Lechosa, a delectable treat, is crafted from unripe papayas carefully cut into small, manageable morsels. The next step involves boiling the papaya pieces in a rich mixture of water, cinnamon, sugar, and cloves, resulting in a luscious syrup-like consistency that tantalizes the senses with its sweet aroma.
Dulce De Batata Y Coco (Dominican Sweet Potato Pudding)
Dulce de Batata y Coco, a sweet potato and coconut fusion, brings together two beloved ingredients from the island’s culinary scene. The dessert can be crafted to resemble a creamy or cheese-like consistency, although bars are its most common form. This versatility only adds to the treat’s allure.
Polvorones
Polvorones, affectionately known as mantecaditos, are bite-sized treats that combine the sweetness of sugar cookies with the tanginess of guava paste and the added crunch of sprinkles. While traditional recipes stick to this classic filling, some variations dare to be different by using pineapple jam or Nutella instead. The beauty of these soft cookies lies in their simplicity – the ingredients are easily accessible and require minimal preparation.
Perhaps it’s this ease that makes them a beloved snack among children, who adore pairing them with a warm cup of coffee and milk for an afternoon indulgence.
Dulce De Ajonjolí (Sesame Candy)
In the vibrant food markets of Puerto Rico, Dulce De Ajonjolí stands out as a beloved treat. This scrumptious sesame seed candy bar boasts a delightful combination of flavors and textures – sweet, crunchy, and with a satisfying nutty undertone. The secret to its irresistible appeal lies in the careful blending of toasted sesame seeds, melted honey, and brown sugar. Once set into rich bars, this easy-to-make confectionery is perfect for satisfying any sweet craving.
Flancocho
Flancocho, a sweet fusion of cake and flan, offers an unbeatable culinary experience. The dessert’s unique texture, characterized by its soft, creamy, and spongy consistency, stems from the meticulous layering process involving cake batter, caramel, and flan mixture. After baking and chilling in the refrigerator, each component melds together seamlessly, resulting in a treat that’s as decadent as it is delightful.
This indulgent delight has earned its place as a must-try dish on the island, sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
Guava Cheese Empanadas
Empanadas, a staple in Latin American cuisine, have gained popularity worldwide for their versatility and mouth-watering flavors. However, the Puerto Rican variant stands out from the rest with its unique sweetness. The pastry’s filling is a masterful blend of guava paste and cream cheese that creates an irresistible aroma and taste experience. As you take a bite, the creamy cheese and sweet guava mixture will effortlessly flow out, leaving you craving more.
Pumpkin Flan
Looking for a dessert that’s not too sugary or overly reliant on caramel? Consider opting for a classic pumpkin flan instead. While still a variation of traditional flan, this sweet treat gets its unique flavor from the addition of crushed pumpkin and warm pumpkin spice. The preparation method remains the same as with regular flan, but the infusion of these autumnal flavors gives it a delightful twist.
Puerto Rican Pineapple Rum Cake
Indulge in the quintessential taste of paradise with this delectable pineapple rum cake. A staple during festive seasons, this decadent treat combines the natural sweetness of pineapple chunks at its base with a velvety glaze crowning its moist, fruity goodness. The added rum essence infuses a subtle yet tantalizing depth to the overall flavor profile, making it an unforgettable delight for the senses.
Platanos Maduros
Indulge in the sweet delight of Fried Plantains, a quick and easy dessert option. These crispy treats are cooked in a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon, resulting in a warm and inviting treat that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Feel free to take it up a notch by adding an extra drizzle of sugar on top for an intensified sweetness level.
Coquito Tres Leches Cake
Indulge in the delightful fusion of flavors and textures by transforming the beloved Coquitos into a decadent dessert – the Coquito Tres Leches Cake. This heavenly confection combines a moist, milky cake with rich chocolate or caramel toppings, while the Coquito’s unique coconut-like essence infuses the bread, creating a joyous and satisfying treat perfect for any celebration.
Piragua De Crema (Cream Shaved Ice)
Indulge in the refreshing delight of Piragua De Crema, a sweet treat that’s sure to quench your thirst on a scorching day. This creamy dessert consists of shaved ice smothered in a rich and velvety cream infused with the subtle flavor of vanilla. What’s more, this simple yet satisfying recipe allows for endless creativity, as you can customize it to your liking by topping it with an assortment of fruits.
The bottom line
Puerto Rico’s culinary scene is characterized by a rich tapestry of sweet treats that await discovery. The island’s desserts are crafted using wholesome ingredients such as coconuts, milk, and brown sugar, making them an indulgent yet guilt-free delight. Imagine embarking on a flavorful journey filled with vibrant hues and tantalizing textures – this collection of Puerto Rican confections is sure to spark your imagination and inspire your next dessert creation!
