Thinking about Peru might conjure up images of the Amazon Jungle or Machu Picchu. I instantly think about the incredible food instead.
My taste buds tingled after trying a few recipes recently. I fell in love with the bold flavors found in the main courses.
This led me to try my hand at making desserts from the region too. These sweet treats are just as tasty as the savory dishes.
The combination creates a total culinary paradise. You do not have to take my word for it alone.
Here are 16 delicious Peruvian desserts for you to try at home right now.
1. Chicha Morada
This traditional cold beverage is healthy and invigorating. It features green apples, lime juice, spices, and purple corn.
You can buy powdered mixes in the US. Making it from scratch is much more economical and satisfying.
You just boil the purple corn and stir in the other ingredients. Stick to purple corn for the most authentic flavor.
Pour it over ice for a totally refreshing experience.
2. Picarones
These treats are similar to American donuts but are actually easier to make. You can fix your donut cravings quickly with this recipe.
The dough gets a unique flavor from premium beer and pureed butternut squash. They become insanely addictive when dripping with spiced syrup.
Serve them with a scoop of ice cream to take things up a notch.
3. Tres Leches Cake
A list of Peruvian sweets would be incomplete without this iconic cake. It is ultra moist, fluffy, and light.
Skip the store bought options to make this delicious dessert the easy way. The recipe uses a three milk mixture containing sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy whipping cream.
You slowly drizzle this mixture onto a sponge cake. Top it with berries and lightly sweetened whipped cream for a stunning result.
4. Alfajores
You will adore these if you enjoy silky smooth dulce de leche. This cookie sandwich features a filling of cinnamon infused dulce de leche.
You roll the final product in powdered sugar. Some variations use shredded coconut instead.
The delicate cookies have a texture that melts right in your mouth. I bet you will want seconds immediately.
5. Lucuma Ice Cream
Break out your ice cream maker for this fantastic recipe. The flavor is unlike any other ice cream you have tried before.
It reminds me of maple or caramel. Lucuma is a fragrant fruit found in the valleys of Ecuador, Chile, and Peru.
You can capture the original taste using lucuma powder or frozen pulp. Add dulce de leche to the mix for a truly decadent variation.
6. Peruvian Apple Pie
A perfect apple pie is defined by plenty of cinnamon, juicy apple pieces, and a crispy crust. Serve this with vanilla ice cream for an instant success.
You will really love the variation that includes blackberries. They add a pop of color and a tart taste with earthy undertones.
Create lattice strips on top before baking to make it look fancy.
7. Ranfañote
This crunchy bread pudding combines syrup soaked bread chunks with salty cheese, nuts, and dried fruits. The origin of this flavorful dessert remains unclear.
Some people think soldiers invented it to be creative with rations. Others believe colonial bakers created it to use up stale bread.
They definitely found a delicious method if that is true. Chefs in Peru are reviving this vintage treat today.
8. Chilcano De Maracuya
Here is the most refreshing summer cocktail. It features passion fruit pulp and the classic Peruvian spirit called pisco.
Do not skip the ginger ale if you enjoy strong ginger flavors. Add a few drops of bitters and serve it over crushed ice.
This drink really packs a punch.
9. Arroz Con Leche
This sweet rice pudding is deliciously creamy. It uses milk and rice flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, and sometimes raisins.
You will have an easy time making this with just a few pantry staples. Serve it the Peruvian way by placing it in the same glass as purple corn pudding.
The mixed dessert creates a tempting glass of goodness. The purple and cream tones match just as well as the sweet flavors and textures.
10. Peruvian Hot Chocolate
Chocolate lovers have been waiting for this specific recipe. It is soul warming, creamy, and rich.
Use chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa to get the best flavor. The drink is naturally sweet with hints of spice from star anise, cinnamon, and cloves.
Blend the drink before serving to make it foamy. It matches perfectly with alfajores.
11. Purple Corn Pudding
This pudding is also known as mazamorra morada. It contains a unique corn variety along with sweet potato starch and dried fruits.
The abundance of these ingredients in Peru makes this a very popular dessert. It brims with warm flavors from cloves and cinnamon.
The consistency is jelly like. Serve it hot for a unique winter comfort food.
12. Peruvian Bread Pudding
This recipe is perfect if you need an extremely sweet dessert. You only need a few simple pantry ingredients.
Gather some full fat milk, sugar, eggs, and crusty bread. Flavor it with lemon zest, raisins, vanilla, and caramel.
You will have a well loved treat ready in about half an hour. It looks simple but tastes highly addictive.
13. Guargueros
You can find this popular dessert in most Lima coffee shops and bakeries. It consists of fried dough filled with slow cooked sweetened milk or dulce de leche.
You can make your own filling or use the canned version to save time. Fry the dough and let it cool before adding the milk mixture.
This gorgeous pastry melts in your mouth.
14. Huevo Chimbo
This traditional dessert dates back to the 14th century. Spanish nuns likely created it to use up leftover egg yolks.
The Peruvian version is unbeatable in my opinion. It features a syrup with a high content of Pisco.
This gives it the nickname drunk chimbo egg. The fluffy cake is full of warm flavors from cinnamon and cloves.
15. Frejoles Colados
People in Peru also call this black bean pudding. The classic Afro Peruvian dessert uses simple ingredients like spices, sugar, milk, and black beans.
You achieve the right consistency by removing the bean skins before pureeing them. Add sugar to taste along with cinnamon, milk, and ground cloves.
Stirring creates a nice thick paste full of comfort.
16. Torta De Dona Pepa
Locals celebrate the Feast of the Lord of Miracles in October with this dessert. It is also known as Turrón de Doña Pepa.
Legend says an ill woman created it to honor El Señor de los Milagros after he healed her. The ideal version is easy to cut and chewy.
It features layers of soft cookies infused with caramel and topped with dried prunes and colorful sprinkles.
