Want some fantastic Argentinian desserts for your next get-together? These wonderful treats should do the trick!
I will say, if you aren’t a fan of dulce de leche, these classic Argentinian desserts might not be for you, since it shows up in a majority of these recipes. But for those that can’t get enough of that sweet, creamy filling, get ready for these 20 Argentinian desserts that will get your heart pumping!
1. How to Make Café Con Leche (Coffee With Milk)
One thing you should learn how it’s pronounced when visiting a Spanish speaking nation is café con leche.
It may seem just like a regular latte, but it’s much stronger. US lattes don’t have much coffee and are often too sweet.
There will be about double the milk to coffee, but if you make it strong enough, you’ll still get that wonderful roasted taste.
2. Homemade Dulce de Membrillo (Sweet Quince Paste)
Quince is a fruit that is a lot like an apple or a pear, although most people don’t eat it raw.
But thanks to the high amount of pectin, it makes a great paste or gel. Its tangy and sweet flavor pairs well with cheese, making it a tasty addition to any charcuterie board.
3. Dulce de Leche Brownies
Do you remember me asking, “What’s better than a thick sugar cookie base slathered in dulce de leche?” Well, the answer is brownies that are thick and fudgy slathered in dulce de leche.
You can use either a brownie mix or your go-to recipe. All that you will need to do is pour half the batter in the pan, then add your dulce de leche. Since it’s thick, it can be hard to spread without messing up the brownie batter.
I know everyone says you should let your brownies cool before digging in, but you just can’t with this recipe.
4. No-Bake Dulce de Leche Cheesecake
It’s probably obvious at this point that I really love cheesecake.
Though I may prefer baked cheesecake, I’m happy to enjoy a no-bake version, especially when it’s warmer outside. I love how they use pretzels in the crust, as well as the almond brittle they add.
But even if you’re in a hurry, it will be a cheesecake that is still flavorful without all that. I suggest making this the day before you plan to eat it, so it can fully set overnight.
5. El Submarino (Argentinian Hot Chocolate Drink)
This drink gets the name because of how it is prepared: hot milk that has a square of dark chocolate that gets submerged into it.
You will want to use good dark chocolate for this, and I would even suggest adding more. The more chocolate, the better!
If you have more of a sweet tooth, feel free to add more sugar to the milk and serve it with mini marshmallows.
6. Pionono Relleno con Dulce de Leche
This should look familiar as a jelly-roll or a Swiss roll cake.
It has a fluffy sponge that has a filling rolled up inside. The sponge has an almond flavor, made light and fluffy thanks to whipped egg whites.
To keep the cake from cracking, roll it while it is still hot! The filling is, as you might expect, dulce de leche.
7. Alfajores Cupcakes
Using flavors we already love, these cupcakes copy the delicate and light taste of alfajores cookies but make it better with coconut whipped cream.
Not only do they have a dulce de leche filling, but they drizzle it over the top, ensuring that is the main flavor. I think the coconut cream on top is great, and I would even consider adding some toasted coconut to give it a great texture.
Of course, you can always use whipped cream if you prefer.
8. Dessert Empanadas (Chocolate & Dulce de Leche Empanadas)
I have always loved empanadas thanks to their flaky pastry and spicy filling.
And their appeal is definitely enhanced because you can eat them with your hands. But dessert empanadas?
This could be my new favorite thing. The pastry has not only cocoa powder but also a bit of cinnamon and some coffee, making it a warm and complex flavor.
As for the filling, the only way to improve it would be to include a couple slices of fresh banana.
9. Dulce de Leche Crepes
To make the best crepes, you need to let the batter rest.
This can take as little as 30 minutes, or you can make it the night before and let it rest while you sleep. You may mess up the first one you make, and make sure you keep the batter thin in the pan.
After you have a nice, big pile of them, you can coat them with dulce de leche for an incredibly tasty treat. If you feel the dulce de leche is too thick, try mixing in some whipped cream to make it a bit lighter.
10. Dulce de Leche Cronuts
I never made it to Dominique Ansel Bakery to give the cronut a try.
Have you seen the lines? They still stretch around the block, even after seven years have passed. For those of us who don’t live in NYC, making them at home is the only way we’ll get to try them.
If you’ve made croissant dough before, you’re already halfway to making this recipe. Of course, using the frozen kind works too.
After those layers get nice and flaky, the only way to make them better is with a dulce de leche glaze.
11. Medialunas and Vigilantes (Croissant-style Pastries)
Medialunas and vigilantes are like traditional croissants, but they get an egg wash and are brushed with a glaze that is sugary after they are cooked.
I am aware that making croissants may seem like it takes a lot of effort and may take a few days. But the first bite makes all of it worthwhile.
Though, you can use frozen dough if you aren’t trying to put in that much effort.
12. Chocotorta
This icebox cake from Argentina is one impressive dessert.
It is super rich between all the soaked cookies and layers of dulce de leche. When the dulce de leche gets mixed in with cream cheese, the filling becomes silky and smooth, almost like a cheesecake, making you want to eat it right out of the bowl.
Make sure you keep the dulce filling thin, even though I know it will be hard, since it will give you great contrasting layers.
13. Alfajores Recipe
You’ll see these incredibly popular cookies all over Latin America.
They have a shortbread-like taste, making them great on their own. But using a generous layer of dulce de leche to make them into a cookie sandwich makes them extra amazing.
Dulce de leche gets used instead of caramel since it is thick enough to not drip out. Buy a jar of it, or if you have the time, try your hand at making some.
14. Dulce de Leche Gooey Bars
I’m not sure if “gooey bar” is the real name, but it grabbed my attention.
What could be better than a thick sugar cookie base covered in dulce de leche? Cookie bars are so simple, since there’s no portioning out.
Just push them into the pan and bake. And thanks to the extra creaminess from dulce de leche, they will be gone fast.
Mix in some dark chocolate chips to add some richer flavors if you want.
15. Flan
You can find this caramel custard at most celebrations in Argentina.
It is a classic, simple dessert that tastes even better with a dollop of dulce de leche. This Argentinian recipe only calls for five ingredients.
The hardest part of the recipe is the caramel. It can burn fast, so make sure you watch it. When you master that, you’ll be making flan all the time.
16. Pasta Frola de Dulce de Membrillo (Quince Tart)
You’ll really love this tart recipe if you don’t like the idea of sweet quince with cheese.
The sweet pasty brings out the sweetness in the paste but makes the flavors really stand out.
Just like apricot jam, you can mix it with another jam for an extra flavor. Tangy raspberry complements the quince especially well.
17. Homemade Dulce de Leche
As you go through the recipes, you’ll see that dulce de leche is used frequently.
Since you can find it in many Latin American desserts, that is why I am such a big fan! This caramel that is super thick comes from Latin America, and making it at home is super simple.
Whether you decide to make it on the stovetop, in the oven, or even in a slow cooker, the main ingredient is always the same, which is condensed milk. In fact, it can be the only thing you need.
You need to cook it slow and low, then wait as it turns golden brown.
18. Authentic Tortas Fritas Recipe
If you’re trying to find something both simple and sweet, it really can’t get better than fried dough that is covered in sugar.
These are almost like donuts that are flat, but the dough isn’t made using yeast. You can make a batch of these to enjoy in under 30 minutes!