The options for dessert in Chile are endless. Chileans are famous for their sweet tooth, which is no surprise since we have eaten Dulce de leche or manjar since we were toddlers.
The one important rule to remember if feeding a Chilean is that fruit is not dessert. We love fruit, and Chile has unique stone fruits, berries, and grapes, but we expect something more elaborated for dessert.
Chilean desserts are known for their rich and flavorful combinations of ingredients, often influenced by the country’s agricultural abundance, including fruits, dairy, and grains. There are homemade and store-bought options for Chilean desserts, each with unique characteristics and flavors.
Here are some examples of both:
Popular Homemade Chilean Desserts:
- Leche Asada: This popular homemade Chilean dessert translates to “baked milk.” It’s similar to flan and is made by baking milk, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
- Mote con Huesillo: This traditional Chilean drink is sweet and refreshing but not strictly a dessert. It consists of mote (cooked husked wheat) and dried peaches served in sweet juice. It’s a popular summer dessert.
- Sémola con leche: Semolina pudding with milk and caramel sauce or wine sauce
- Leche Nevada or Floating Island dessert
- Arroz con leche or rice pudding
- Chirimoya Alegre: Chirimoya is a tropical fruit native to South America, including Chile. For this dessert, the fruit is combined with orange juice and served cold.
Popular Store-Bought Chilean Desserts:
- Manjarate or dulce de leche mousse with a chocolate topping
- Chirimoya and Lucuma Ice Cream: Chirimoya and Lucuma-flavored ice cream is a popular treat, especially during the warm summer months, and it can be easily found in stores.
- Flans are available in individual portions and many flavors in supermarkets in Chile.
Peaches/papayas con crema are popular desserts at restaurants. I don’t recommend ordering this since you will get canned fruit in most places.
Winter Chilean desserts: Roasted apples, pear on wine sauce, Turrón de Vino (wine meringue)
Summer Chilean desserts: Flans, Bavarois, and frothy desserts (Espumas)
Kuchens, pies, iced coffee, and cookies are more commonly enjoyed at Once (Chilean tea time)
Whether homemade or store-bought, Chilean desserts offer a delightful array of flavors and textures that reflect the country’s diverse culinary traditions and love for sweets. They are often enjoyed during family gatherings, holidays, and everyday indulgences.
- Arroz con leche Chilean Rice Pudding
- Buñuelos de Manzana Chilean Apple Fritters
- Chilean Leche Asada
- Chilean Lucuma Dessert
- Cinnamon Sorbet
- Dulce de Leche Ice Cream
- Dulce de Leche Rice Pudding
- Duraznos con merengue Chilean Stuffed Peaches
- Easy Baked Apples with Dulce de Leche
- Easy Dulce de Leche Flan
- Espuma de Limón Chilean Lemon Froth
- Leche Nevada Dessert
- Lucuma Flan
- Lucuma Ice Cream
- Lucuma Leche Asada
- Lucuma Tiramisu
- Manjarate Dulce de Leche Mousse
- Manzana Rallada Chilean Apple Dessert
- Mote con huesillos
- Panqueques con Dulce de Leche
- Sémola con leche Chilean Semolina Pudding
- Sémola con salsa de vino Chilean Semola Pudding with Wine Sauce
- Torrejas de Arroz Chilean Sweet Rice Pancake
- Turrón de Vino Wine Meringue
