Colombian desserts are more than just sweet treats—they’re a flavorful glimpse into the country’s rich culinary heritage. From beloved street snacks to holiday favorites, each bite tells a story steeped in tradition and warmth. No matter what you’re craving, there’s a dessert on this list that’s sure to hit the sweet spot!
Must-Try Colombian Desserts And Sweets
1. Aborrajados
This dish is a sweet and savory combination of cheese and ripe plantains deep-fried in batter. Some locals enjoy it with guava paste, making the recipe even more flavorful.
2. Arroz con Leche
A comforting rice pudding is made from simmering rice in water or milk and then flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, sugar, and condensed milk. It is often served warm but can be enjoyed cold, bringing comfort and nostalgic flavor to family meals.
3. Arequipe
Arequipe is Colombia’s delicious take on Dulce de Leche. It’s a thick, luscious caramel sauce that can be eaten by spoonfuls or added to other sweets like ice cream or cake.
4. Bocadillo
Colombians make this dessert from sweetened guava paste, often pairing it with cheese or tucking it between wafers and pastries. It’s much beloved as a portable snack.
5. Brevas con Arequipe
One of the best uses of arequipe is stuffing it inside figs to make brevas con arequipe. It’s earthy, indulgent, and a great quick snack or dessert after dinner.
6. Buñuelos
This treat is among the must-have Colombian desserts around Christmas, but can be enjoyed all year! It’s made from a mixture of yuca flour, cheese, and cornstarch and then deep-fried to develop a crispy exterior and soft interior. These balls are best enjoyed with coffee or hot chocolate.
7. Cholado
This dessert is totally refreshing, particularly on a hot day! It’s shaved ice (raspado) layered with fresh fruit (like banana, mango, strawberry, or kiwi), condensed milk, and syrup.
8. Cocadas Blancas
These are snowy white, sweet coconut treats shaped into chewy rounds. Street vendors sell this popular dessert everywhere, including beaches and roadside stands!
9. Cuajada con Melao
This delicious treat combines the flavors of curdled milk with melao, a thick syrup made from panela (unrefined cane sugar), cinnamon, and water. The dessert offers a flavor experience unique to Colombian cuisine that has been enjoyed for generations.
10. Enyucado
Colombians make Enyucado, a traditional cake, with grated yuca and coconut, sweetening it with sugar or flavoring it with cheese. Drizzling some condensed milk on top and pairing it with strong Colombian coffee can truly take this snack to the next level!
11. Flan de Coco
One of the most popular Colombian sweets, flan de coco, adds a twist to the classic custard by adding grated coconut for texture and sweetening it with caramel on top. The tropical flavor sets it apart from other flans, making this coconut flan a go-to dessert for holidays and special occasions.
12. Milhojas
Milhojas, meaning “a thousand leaves,” features layers of puff pastry, dulce de leche, and custard or whipped cream that bakers stack to create a flaky, indulgent dessert. Each spoonful delivers buttery goodness and a creamy texture!
13. Merengón
This dish is Colombia’s version of a pavlova and is just as exquisite! A meringue shell contains whipped cream and fruit like strawberries or guanabana (soursop). It balances crunchiness and sweetness in every bite!
14. Natilla
A holiday treat that can be paired with buñuelos for a perfect Christmas combo! Natilla is a creamy, custard-like dessert, with sugar cane syrup giving it a luscious, caramel-like flavor.
15. Obleas
These crisp and round thin wafers come with different toppings such as arequipe, jam, cheese, sprinkles, or even guava paste. Street vendors often sell them in parks and plazas around the country, where people love them.
16. Panelitas de Leche
Local vendors make these creamy confections from panela and condensed milk; you can find them in many markets and shops. They are a childhood classic for many Colombians!
17. Postre de Natas
This dessert is one of Colombia’s most unique sweets! Locals make it by collecting the skin or cream layer from boiled milk, then adding syrup, raisins, and eggs. They sometimes add rum to spice things up.
18. Salpicon de Frutas
Colombians make this delicious dessert fruit cocktail with fresh fruit (like pineapple, watermelon, papaya, or grapes), watermelon juice, or Colombian soda, and top it with vanilla ice cream or milk if desired. It's tasty and perfect for summer!
19. Torta de Tres Leches
People also know this soft sponge cake as Three Milks Cake because it's soaked in three kinds of milk: condensed, evaporated, and regular. The result is an ultra-moist tres leches cake that is so good locals enjoy it as a birthday favorite!
20. Torta Negra (Black Cake)
A rich, dark-colored fruitcake made with rum, raisins, dried figs, and wine, this dense sponge cake is popular with adults and best enjoyed during special celebrations like weddings and holidays.
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