Among the many delightful traditional Puerto Rican desserts, there are some hidden gems waiting to be discovered. These sweet treats not only showcase the islands’ rich culinary heritage but also offer a refreshing change from the usual cookies and cakes we’re familiar with. From classic favorites like flan and rum cake to innovative desserts like shaved ice, this list of 23 mouthwatering Puerto Rican sweets is perfect for anyone looking to indulge in something new and exciting.
Coconut Rice Pudding Delight
Delighting taste buds everywhere, majarte is a dessert made with cornmeal and coconut milk, or alternatively, rice flour custard. Its rich and creamy texture bears a striking resemblance to traditional pudding, making it a delightful treat for those who try it. Adding a sprinkle of coconut flakes or a pinch of cinnamon on top only elevates its flavor profile, reminiscent of the classic flan.
Serve majarte as the grand finale of your meal, and you’re sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Warm Rice Pudding Dessert from Puerto Rico
Taking into account the versatility of rice pudding, I can see why it’s a popular choice among many people. Not only can it be served hot or cold, but it’s also perfectly acceptable to enjoy for breakfast. When it comes to achieving the best texture, using short-grain rice is essential, rather than opting for long-grain varieties. While I have experimented with brown rice in the past and was pleasantly surprised by the results, short-grain rice remains my top preference.
Infusing the water with spices not only enhances the flavor but also ensures that every bite is packed with taste. Additionally, incorporating some orange zest can add a delightful burst of freshness to the dish.
Easy Puerto Rican Coconut Nog
Achieving the perfect homemade eggnog can indeed be a challenging task, especially when dealing with large batches. The process involves tempering, which requires precision and attention to avoid overcooking the eggs and incurring substantial waste. Fortunately, there’s an alternative that simplifies the process without compromising on flavor: Puerto Rican-style eggnog. This recipe boasts an unparalleled ease of preparation, requiring only a quick blending session to combine all ingredients.
The resulting drink is a masterful blend of rich milk, creamy coconut, and a hint of rum, creating a velvety texture that’s sure to captivate even the most discerning palates.
Pineapple Upsurge Rum Cake from Puerto Rico
Vibrant tropical flavors come alive in this delightful cake, which I’ve carefully crafted to showcase my love for pineapple. To add an extra layer of excitement, I like to fill the bottom of the pan with chopped pineapple chunks instead of just arranging slices on top. The best part? The recipe comes together quickly, requiring only a moderate amount of time to mix and prepare, followed by about an hour in the oven to allow it to fully bake.
Don’t even think about skipping that sweet and sticky glaze at the end – its subtle combination with the pineapples creates a truly magical flavor experience that elevates this cake to new heights.
Moist Flancocho Cake with Caramel Swirl
Renowned for its unparalleled moisture level, this recipe stands out among other desserts. Rather than a traditional single layer, it consists of two distinct layers: the creamy flan and the moist cake. Initially, you’ll prepare the baking dish by adding caramel, which will serve as the topping. Next, pour in the custard filling to cover the caramel, taking care not to overfill the dish.
Once the custard is set, add a layer of cake mix on top (or technically, the bottom), ensuring it’s evenly spread. As this unique dessert bakes together within a water bath, the cake will absorb the majority of the cream cheese custard, resulting in an exceptionally tender crumb. When you finally turn out the cake, you’ll be met with two sublime layers: the flan and cake, perfectly balanced by the caramel topping.
The absence of frosting or glaze only adds to its appeal, making it a truly special treat.
Easy Caramel Pumpkin Flan Recipe
You don’t have to be intimidated by making dry caramel, and with the right approach, you’ll be on your way to creating silky-smooth flans in no time. One of my top secrets is to add sugar gradually, as it starts to melt and caramelize. Begin by pouring just enough sugar to coat the bottom of your pan – this will give it a solid foundation. Then, pour in a cup or so at a time until all the sugar is in the pot. Remember, patience is key: don’t stir the mixture!
Instead, gently move the pan and use a wooden spoon to poke at any larger lumps of sugar that form. Keep an eye on it and pull it off the heat when the caramel reaches your desired golden color. Once you’ve got that perfect shade, blend the mixture until smooth and pour over the caramel.
Guava Thumbprint Cookies with a Twist
Unlike traditional thumbprint cookies, these ones have a unique twist with the addition of almond flavor and the richness of egg yolks. They’re classic treats that evoke memories of childhood, but with a hint of tropical flair from the guava jam. Some recipes may omit eggs altogether, but I find that using just the yolks adds depth to the cookies without overpowering their delicate texture. Of course, if you can’t find guava jam in stores, making your own is an easy and rewarding process.
Lardy Shortbread Cookies with a Puerto Rican Twist
Delightfully simple in its composition, this Scottish shortbread recipe eschews eggs altogether, opting instead for a harmonious blend of fat and flour. This strategic combination yields a delightfully crisp cookie that is as much a pleasure to bite into as it is to behold, perhaps best paired with a steaming cup of tea.
Moreover, the judicious use of lard not only proves to be more cost-effective than relying solely on butter but also plays a pivotal role in maintaining the crumb’s coveted texture.
Coquito Tres Leches Delight Cake
Renowned for its light and subtly flavored profile, tres leches cake is a true delight that can stand on its own or be elevated by the addition of rich chocolate or caramel. The incorporation of aromatic spices in the coquito topping adds an extra layer of depth and festivity to this already impressive dessert. To ensure the topping seeps into the cake evenly, it’s crucial to poke holes all over the surface, allowing for maximum absorption.
For optimal results, allow the cake to sit overnight if possible, letting the flavors meld together in perfect harmony.
Puerto Rican Icee: Easy Summer Treat
Delivering a dessert that’s quick to prepare and can be customized to suit various tastes is often a challenge. Similar to fudgsicles, this super-fast recipe only requires the ingredients to be combined until smooth. You can pour it into molds for an easy summer treat, or get creative by using ice cube trays instead. The latter option makes it convenient to add the mixture to your iced coffee or use it in smoothies.
Nutella Fudge Pops in 5 Easy Steps
Venturing into a world of sweet indulgence requires just four key ingredients and a mere five minutes. To create this luscious frozen treat, blend together the evaporated milk with Nutella, condensed milk, and whole milk until the mixture is silky smooth and free from any lumps. Once prepared, you can pour the delightful mix into simple plastic cups or popsicle molds, making it an ideal treat for hot summer days.
Sweet Puerto Rican Bread Pudding Delight
Visually, bread pudding has a universal appeal that transcends cultural boundaries. Whether it’s part of a traditional feast or a modern dessert, its presence on the table is always welcome. This is especially true for Puerto Rican budin, which is often served during the holiday season and has become an integral part of the island’s culinary heritage.
The rich flavors and textures of this sweet treat are achieved through a combination of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, vanilla extract, butter, and raisins, making it a simple yet indulgent delight.
Creamy Shaved Ice Treats
Vibrant shaved ice desserts are a refreshing treat for both kids and adults. While many people enjoy the vibrant colors and eclectic mixtures available, I’m particularly fond of this simple yet creamy rendition. It may not be entirely guilt-free due to its rich ingredients like cream, condensed milk, and evaporated milk, but it’s undoubtedly delicious and worth every indulgent calorie.
Indulgent Stale Bread Dessert with Caramel Sauce
Elevating bread pudding from a humble dessert to a luxurious treat, this recipe combines rich caramel sauce with the sweetness of rum-soaked raisins, creating an indulgent experience that will leave you craving every last bite. The addition of flan-like caramel sauce on top adds a smooth and creamy element, while the rum-soaked raisins provide a depth of flavor that’s simply irresistible.
Whether you’re looking to use up stale bread or just want to treat yourself to something special, this recipe is sure to hit the spot.
Guayaba Cream Cheese Pastries with a Twist
Get creative with your guava jam by using it as a delicious filling in these sweet treats! The unique shape of these pastries, allowing the filling to bubble up on the edges, is sure to impress. Whether you’re a fan of guava or prefer another flavor, feel free to experiment and substitute the jam with whatever you have on hand in your fridge.
Cheese Custard Delight from Puerto Rico
Evidently, my love for cheesecake is well-documented, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m slightly obsessed with it. But what’s even better than just cheesecake is a dessert that combines the richness of cheesecake with the creamy texture of custard – it’s a match made in heaven! For those who share my passion, it’s essential to note that achieving the perfect texture is crucial. To ensure a silky smooth finish, begin by using room-temperature ingredients.
Don’t skip this step, as it will make all the difference in the final product. Additionally, take the time to strain the filling to eliminate any lumps that may have formed during mixing. Lastly, don’t forget about the importance of a water bath – it’s a must when working with cheesecake, especially when using a non-traditional pan like this one. Since you’ll be turning this upside down, there’s no need to worry about leaks or messes from a spring-form pan.
Sweet Plantains: A Versatile Vegetable Alternative
Among the many versatile options when it comes to vegetables, plantains stand out as a fantastic alternative. Not only can they take the place of potatoes or roasted veggies in terms of taste and texture, but they also offer endless opportunities for culinary creativity.
Whether you prefer to serve them with a generous sprinkling of salt, pepper, and spice, or opt for a sweeter approach by cooking them in cinnamon and brown sugar, plantains are an excellent choice for a quick and healthy dessert. When selecting the best plantains, it’s worth noting that those with brown skins tend to have more flavor.
Coconut Cream Pudding in Elegant Bundt
Honestly, I was thrilled with my impulse purchase of silicone bundt molds last year, as they have since become my go-to choice for baking cake. Initially, when making this creamy coconut dessert, I used standard ramekins, which still produced a delightful result. However, it wasn’t until I attempted to make the dessert in the bundt pan that I was truly impressed with its presentation.
The beauty of using coconut as an ingredient lies in its subtle flavor, which can easily be overpowered by other flavors when combined. But in this particular recipe, coconut takes center stage and shines through beautifully. If you’re a fan of pudding and custard desserts, then this smooth and simple treat is sure to become one of your new favorites.
Quick Cream Cheese Pastry Bites
Yellowing memories of childhood mornings often evoke a strong desire for sweet treats. Yet, it’s these indulgent cheesecake-like pastries that truly hold my attention. Not only can they be prepared in under 10 minutes with store-bought pastry, but they also offer endless opportunities for customization. Feel free to get creative by adding caramel, fruit compote, or rich chocolate to the mix, and experience a whole new level of enjoyment.
Mallorca Sweet Bread: A Tender Treat
A delightful feature of this sweet bread is its tender and fluffy texture, which makes it perfect for pairing with a generous pat of butter. Alternatively, you can use it as the base for more elaborate creations, such as filling it with guava paste, Nutella, or a homemade fruit compote before baking. The result is a truly exceptional sweet treat that’s sure to impress even the most discerning palates.
To explore this recipe in detail and learn how to create your own show-stopping sweet bread, click on the link below.
Guava Cheese Filled Pastry Delights
Rolling out homemade empanadas or using store-bought wrappers, the result is always a delight. Whether you prefer puff pastry, shortcrust, or wontons, the crispy exterior gives way to a delightful combination of flavors with any filling. The union of cream cheese and guava is particularly exceptional. For an even more intense flavor experience, consider substituting guava paste with thick, homemade jam instead.
Alternatively, if guava paste is not readily available, it’s surprisingly easy to create your own using the same simple recipe as for making jam.
Guava Swirled Cheesecake Delight
You can’t blame me for being excited about this next dessert on our list – a classic cheesecake! One of the reasons I adore cheesecakes is that they’re incredibly versatile when it comes to toppings. Not only can you get creative with sauces and drizzles, but making a creamy base and incorporating different ingredients into the batter itself is also part of the fun.
Take for example our guava topping – not only does it add a pop of color against the white cheesecake, but its sweet flavor pairs beautifully with the rich cheesecake. The best part? You can bake the topping right in, creating a stunning swirl or pattern on top.
Besitos de Coco (Coconut Macaroons)
Zeroing in on the perfect snack, these coconut macaroons are a delightful treat that hits the spot without being overly sweet or rich. With just three key ingredients – sweetened condensed milk, shredded coconut flakes, and vanilla extract – they’re surprisingly easy to prepare, making them an ideal option for busy bakers. To take your macaroons to the next level, consider adding a hint of almond extract for an extra layer of flavor.
And be warned: once you’ve tried these chewy treats, you’ll likely find yourself wanting to whip up another batch – and then another! They’re that irresistible.
