When I’m craving something sweet, my mind wanders to baking possibilities. These 23 Puerto Rican desserts have become my go-tos.
They’re simple to make, a lovely change of pace, and offer a tropical twist. If you’re ready to try something new, you’ve come to the right place.
1. Tembleque de Coco (Coconut Pudding)
On a whim, I bought silicone bundt molds last year, and now they’re my favorite cake pans. This creamy coconut dessert was still delectable when I first baked it in basic ramekins. Seeing how wonderfully they turned out in a bundt pan delighted me to no end.
It’s smooth, simple, and the star of the show. Pudding and custard lovers will adore this.
2. Coquito (Puerto Rican Eggnog)
Making eggnog at home can be a bit of a challenge. You’re dealing with tempering, and if you want to make a big batch for a party, you may end up with a ton of waste if the eggs happen to overcook.
But it couldn’t be easier to make Puerto Rican eggnog. Just blitz all the components until smooth and chill to serve. The combo of milk and coconut with rum makes a smooth, creamy, thick drink everyone will crave.
3. Puerto Rican Pineapple Rum Cake
This lovely and sweet cake is a tropical dream. Because pineapple is a big fave of mine, I like to chop it into chunks. From there, I’ll fill the bottom of the pan instead of just making a layer of slices.
The whole baking takes a little over an hour, and this cake comes together fast. Don’t skip the glaze at the end. Given that it cooks with the pineapples, this makes everything pop as a sweet, boozy, fruity treat.
4. Polvorones: Puerto Rican Shortbread Cookies
This recipe doesn’t use eggs, just like a great Scottish shortbread.
Rather, it mixes the fat with the flour to create a crisp, buttery, wonderfully short cookie that needs just a cup of tea. Using lard won’t only be cheaper than all-butter, it’ll also help to keep the crumb crumbly.
5. Limbel/Limber (Puerto Rican Icee)
Just mix all the components until smooth. It’s another super-fast recipe like the fudgsicles.
You’re welcome to pour the mix into molds for a simple summer treat. Also, consider putting the mix into ice cube trays to add to your iced coffee or smoothies.
6. Pan de Mallorca (Mallorca Bread)
So light, fluffy, and tender, this enriched sweet bread is divine.
Feel free to serve with just a pad of butter or use it as the gorgeous base for something grander. You can also fill with a fruit compote, Nutella, or guava paste before baking to enjoy a sweet bread that’s simply sublime.
7. Budin (Bread Pudding)
Bread pudding always has a spot on the table, no matter the culture. Puerto Rican budin is often a feature during the holiday season.
This simple treat is made with vanilla extract, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, butter, and raisins. A simple treat, it’s simply divine.
8. Arroz Con Dulce: Puerto Rican Rice Pudding
Rice pudding has a special place in my heart because I find it fine to eat for breakfast and serve hot or cold. It’s vital to use short-grain rice for the best texture instead of long-grain. If you’re in a pinch, I’ve even used brown rice and the results were still great.
Ensure you’ll get amazing flavor in each bite by infusing the water with spices. Also, you can add some orange zest for extra freshness.
9. Quesitos (Cream Cheese Pasties)
Though I really enjoy a cinnamon pastry in the mornings, these cheesecake-like sweets are too good to resist. Thanks to store-bought pastry, they’re ready in a flash!
If you want something extra, consider adding fruit compote, chocolate, or caramel to the mix.
10. Budín de Pan (Bread Pudding)
It may have begun as a frugal way of using stale bread, but there’s more to bread pudding than that.
The addition of a flan-like caramel sauce to the top will send you back for seconds and thirds! Add in some rum-soaked raisins to create an incredible dessert.
11. Guava Cheesecake
It shouldn’t come as a shock that there’s cheesecake on this list! What’s so great about cheesecake is how versatile it is with most toppings. Changing it up using drizzles and sauces is part of what makes it fun.
I love to bake the topping right in to give it a stunning swirl or pattern. Set against the white cheesecake, the guava is so pretty and features a terrific flavor.
12. Majarte (Rice Flour Custard)
Majarte, or rice flour custard, is similar to pudding and made using cornmeal and coconut milk. It’s extra delicious when sprinkled with coconut flakes or cinnamon.
Some may even say that this treat reminds them of flan. To end your feast, serve this and you won’t be let down!
13. Puerto Rican Flan de Queso (Cheese Flan)
By now, you have to know that I’m mildly obsessed with cheesecake. Custard also holds a big space in my heart. So, in my eyes, a dessert that brings both of those things together is pretty much perfection!
Always strain the filling and use room-temperature components to achieve the silkiest texture. The water bath is also a must!
You’ll be turning this upside down and therefore won’t be using a springform pan. No need to worry about any leaks!
14. Limber de Nutella (Chocolate Hazelnut Fudgesicle)
A decadent, creamy, and sweet frozen treat takes five minutes and just four components.
Keep blending the condensed milk, Nutella, evaporated milk, and whole milk until everything is smooth. If you have them, you can pour the mix into popsicle molds or simple plastic cups.
15. Guava Cheese Empanadas
Few things compare to taking a big but careful bite of an empanada that’s freshly baked. Whether you reach for store-bought wontons, puff pastry, or shortcrust, each filling is paired perfectly with its crispy shell. Though the cream cheese and guava combo is especially divine.
In place of the paste, you could use guava jam, granted it’s thick enough. Making the jam is just as easy as making the paste if you can’t find it.
16. Besitos de Coco (Coconut Macaroons)
These yummy coconut macaroons are so delicious while being light and not too sweet! With just three ingredients, they’re also quite simple to make: shredded coconut flakes, vanilla extract, and sweetened condensed milk.
For an extra flavor kick, toss in a dash of almond extract. Consider whipping up another batch of these macaroons, since they’ll disappear in no time!
17. Quesitos de Guayaba (Sweeten Cream Cheese and Guava Pastries)
Here’s a superb recipe that will put some of that guava jam to use!
I adore how these are shaped, as they let the filling bubble up along the edges, though there are countless shapes to try! Instead of guava jam, you could always reach for what you have in the fridge.
18. Puerto Rican Flancocho (Flan Cake)
If you crave a cake that’s unbelievably moist, this is it. You’ll prepare this flan recipe by including caramel in the baking dish and covering it in the custard filling. Then, a cake mix goes on top, or technically, the bottom!
While it bakes with a water bath, the cake will soak up most of the cream cheese custard. It’ll have two ultra-moist layers of flan and cake with just the right caramel topping when you turn it out. It’s so tender, there’s no need for any glaze or frosting.
19. Coquito Tres Leches Cake
Tres leches cake is subtly flavored and light. It’s equally as divine when served with chocolate or caramel.
For a wonderfully festive cake that’s easy to make and will please any crowd, just add spices to the coquito topping. Be sure to poke holes all over the cake to let the topping seep in. If you can, let it sit overnight.
20. Platanos Maduros (Fried Sweet Plantains)
Plantains are an awesome alternative to vegetables. Instead of potatoes or other roasted veggies, serve plantains with lots of salt, pepper, and spice.
For a simple, healthy dessert, you can also cook them in brown sugar and cinnamon. Try to find plantains that have brown skins for the most flavor.
21. Pumpkin Flan
Dry caramel can be intimidating. Maybe that’s why you tend to steer clear of flans. But rest assured, you can do it!
Coat only the bottom of your pan with enough sugar. As it melts and caramelizes, keep adding in about a cup at a time until it’s all in the pot. Do not stir!
Use a wooden spoon to gently move the pan and poke at any larger lumps of sugar. Stay alert and pull it off the heat when it’s a lovely golden color. Blending it all until smooth and pouring over the caramel is a breeze compared to that.
22. Mantecaditos (Puerto Rican Guava Thumbprint Cookies)
These thumbprint cookies are like the ones you probably had growing up. Butter and a touch of almond flavor makes them divine. Even though some recipes don’t call for eggs, I like how rich they make the cookies, especially when you only use the yolks.
This is where you’ll be putting that guava to use! It’s easy to make your own if you can’t find guava jam in the store.
23. Piragua de Crema (Cream Shaved Ice)
Everyone, kids and adults alike, love shaved ice as a light and guilt-free dessert.
While the kids will probably pick the bright blue option or a messy mixture of everything, I’m partial to this simple, creamy version. Maybe it isn’t guilt-free, seeing as it’s full of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and cream, but it’s worth every calorie and super tasty.