10 Traditional Chilean Desserts

Choosing my favorite Chilean desserts isn’t the easiest thing I’ve ever done. From the moist tres leches cake to the one-of-a-kind mote con huesillos and the delicate Chilean thousand layer cake, each one is a standout. Deciding which one I love the most? That’s the real challenge!

1.Chilean Thousand Layer Cake

Step into the world of traditional Chilean desserts with this flaky, crispy masterpiece. While it may not boast a thousand layers, each one is packed with flavor.

Some layers are thin and irresistibly crunchy, while others are smothered in sweet, sticky jam or rich dulce de leche.

Feel free to get creative by adding walnuts, rhubarb, or a dollop of whipped cream for extra flair. Prep time is about an hour, but trust us–this culinary gem is worth every minute. The result?

A crowd-pleasing treat that’s as traditional as it is delicious.

2.Chilean Holiday Fruitcake (Pan de Pascua) Recipe

This cake is a beloved tradition in Chile, often served during Easter and Christmas, but it’s so delicious you’ll want to enjoy it any time of the year.

Packed with rum, spices, nuts, and dried fruit, it’s like a cozy blend of America’s spice cakes and fruitcakes. The texture is reminiscent of banana nut bread–soft and satisfying.

Don’t let the long list of ingredients scare you off; most of them are spices, and it only takes about 30 minutes to prepare. The result is nothing short of amazing!

3.Chilean Strawberry Kuchen

If you’re as crazy about strawberries as I am, you’re in for a treat! This strawberry tart is packed to the brim with fresh berries, making it a sweet delight any time of day.

The best part? It’s surprisingly simple to make. With basic ingredients like eggs, sugar, butter, flour, and a pinch of salt, you don’t need anything fancy to create this masterpiece.

Don’t let the number of steps fool you–it’s a breeze to prepare.

In just 30 minutes, you’ll whip up a buttery cookie crust, layer it with creamy pastry cream, and top it with plenty of juicy strawberries. Bake it again until golden, then let it chill overnight.

The next day, you’ll have a divine strawberry tart ready to enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. No judgments here–strawberries are always a good idea!

4.Manjar

Manjar is basically homemade dulce de leche, also known as Peruvian dulce de leche. It’s creamy, sweet, and utterly delicious.

To make it, you only need four simple ingredients: whole milk, vanilla extract, sugar, and baking soda. The process is straightforward. Combine the milk, vanilla, and sugar in a pot.

Bring it to a boil and let it simmer until it thickens into a caramel color. Then, stir in the baking soda. Continue cooking until it reaches a pudding-like consistency.

Once it’s ready, let it cool down before serving. That’s it!

5.Tres Leches Cake

Meet the Tres Leches Cake, a dessert that lives up to its name as the ‘three milk cake.’ This sweet sensation uses three types of milk–sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk–to create a cake that’s incredibly fluffy and moist.

The result is a sponge so soft and delicious, it feels like a cloud in every bite.

Top it with fresh whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, and you’ve got a classic dessert that’s pure perfection.

6.Mote con Huesillos (Wheat and Peach Drink)

Get ready to try something totally new! This Chilean dessert drink is a one-of-a-kind treat that blends peaches and pearled barley with water, cinnamon, sugar, and a hint of orange peel.

The flavor is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before. Peaches take center stage, but you’ll also catch notes of citrus from the orange or lemon peel and a warm touch of cinnamon.

The barley adds a nice thickness to the drink, and the pearls at the bottom pack a punch of flavor. It’s a unique and delicious experience you won’t want to miss!

7.Chilean Alfajores

Looking for a sweet treat that’s quick to make? This recipe lets you whip up about 35 double-decker cookies in less than an hour–talk about efficient!

The cookies are filled with dulce de leche, but feel free to mix things up with huevo mol or molasses paste instead.

Whatever you choose, you’ll end up with soft, wholesome cookies that are as delicious as they are satisfying. The best part? Each one comes in under 100 calories, so you can indulge without the guilt!

8.Chilean Dulce de Leche Cake

If you’ve ever made a pumpkin roll, you’re halfway to creating this delicious treat. It’s similar but uses different ingredients for a unique twist.

The cake is soft, moist, and spongy, while the dulce de leche filling offers a rich, milky caramel flavor. It takes some time to prepare, and rolling it requires care to avoid breaking.

The secret is dusting the cake with powdered sugar and rolling it in a tea towel also sprinkled with sugar. The recipe guides you through this process clearly.

Once rolled and dusted again, you’ll see that every minute was worth it. It’s incredibly good!

9.Leche Asada (Roasted Milk)

This beloved Chilean dessert is a breeze to make, with just 10 minutes of prep time and about an hour to bake. The secret to its magic? Start with homemade caramel–it’s worth the extra step!

Once that’s ready, simply mix the remaining ingredients and pour them over the caramel. Bake until golden, let it cool, and serve. It’s surprisingly simple and packed with flavor.

A perfect treat that’s easy to make and even better to eat!

10.Chilean Sopapillas

Sopapillas are the ultimate sweet treat–crunchy, golden, and utterly irresistible. These Chilean-style sopapillas get an extra boost of flavor and moisture from a cup of pumpkin puree.

Serve them warm, drizzled with hot molasses sauce for dipping, and get ready to fall in love. Yum doesn’t even begin to cover it!