Colombian cuisine is a reflection of its cultural and geographical diversity. Among the flavors and aromas that highlight its culinary identity are Colombian desserts. Here, we present six iconic Colombian desserts:
Rice Pudding
Rice pudding, a delicious treat that might seem unusual as a dessert after a Colombian meal, is a staple in Colombian confectionery. Although this dessert is found in many Latin American countries, the Colombian version has its own distinctive touch.
The recipe for Colombian rice pudding starts with slow-cooking rice in milk, sugar, and flavorings like cinnamon and vanilla. Sometimes, additional ingredients such as lemon zest or raisins are added, giving it unique flavors.
Natilla
Natilla, another beloved Colombian dessert, plays a prominent role in Christmas celebrations. Though it originated in Spain, Colombia has developed its own version that sets it apart.
This dessert is made with corn flour, panela, milk, and spices like cinnamon. The addition of corn gives Colombian natilla a unique texture and characteristic flavor that distinguishes it from other versions.
Natilla is usually paired with delicious buñuelos during Christmas, making this combination a true delight for dessert lovers.
Merengón
Merengón is an iconic dessert in Colombian cuisine that deserves a special place on any list of the country’s delicacies. Unlike other desserts, merengón is easily found in restaurants, food fairs, bakeries, and street stalls throughout Colombia.
The main ingredient of merengón is meringue, known locally as suspiro, made by whipping egg whites with sugar and flavorings. In this case, the meringue is layered with white cream, fresh fruits, and other ingredients that vary by region or chef preference. With fruits ranging from strawberries and soursop to mango or kiwi, this dessert allows you to savor Colombia’s gastronomic diversity.
Cocadas
As the name suggests, cocadas are coconut-based treats typical of the country’s coastal region. Although they are found in many tropical countries, Colombia brings its own exotic touch to this dessert.
The coconut’s versatility, with its unique texture and flavor, combines perfectly with ingredients like panela, sugar, and spices like cloves. The result is a variety of delicious cocadas, varying in color from light white to brown tones, and flavors that include lime, pineapple, tamarind, guava, blackberry, and more.
Arequipe
In most Latin American countries, arequipe is a star product, and Colombia is no exception. This delightful dessert is based on caramelizing milk, resulting in a thick, sweet cream enjoyed in many ways throughout the country.
Arequipe is served on its own and is often savored with a glass of cold milk. However, its versatility makes it a perfect companion for many other Colombian treats, like slices of cheese, guava paste, wafers, cookies, brownies, ice cream, chocolates, mille-feuille, and a wide variety of other products.
Bocadillo Veleño
Bocadillo Veleño is perhaps the most popular sweet in the country. Simply put, it is a sweet guava paste made by cooking guava pulp with sugar until it reaches a thick, delightful consistency. This treat is often enjoyed with arequipe or cheese.
If you’re visiting Colombia, make sure to try these delicious Colombian desserts.
