If you have a sweet tooth and an adventurous palate, Colombia is the country for you!
Their versatile, yet deeply rooted culinary scene will leave you craving for more, especially when it comes to traditional desserts.
Colombians like to pair their sweet delicacies with a cup of strong, rich Colombian coffee.This helps bring out the flavors and makes you enjoy and appreciate the little things in life.
Whether you choose popular desserts like tres leches cake or try an unusual combo of arequipe (dulce de leche) with a side of white cheese, you’ll never forget the unique yet delicious taste.
Here are 5 mouth-watering desserts that will complement your cup of Colombian coffee perfectly.
1. Obleas
Obleas are Colombian-style round wafers that you can fill with arequipe (Colombian dulce de leche), fresh fruit, jam, or condensed milk.
They go great with some Colombian coffee because they’re easy to make and easily customizable.
In some parts of Colombia, you’ll find obleas with a sweet filling and shredded white cheese to balance out the sweetness.
You can make a sandwich of two obleas and add filling in between, or spread the filling on top of one oblea and eat it like a pizza.
2. Torta de Tres Leches
Torta de tres leches is a vanilla sponge cake soaked in condensed milk, regular or cream milk, and evaporated milk.
Tres leches literally means “three milks”, referring to the three different types of milk used in the recipe.
Tres Leches cake is popular throughout Latin America. But it’s one of the most popular Colombian desserts loved for its simplicity and sweetness.
It also pairs great with strong Colombian coffee because it contains milk so the flavors balance each other out.
3. Cocadas
Cocadas are a traditional Colombian dessert similar to macaroons. The basis for cocadas is shredded coconut, and you can make several versions according to your taste.
Or if baking is not your thing, you can simply buy them online.
There are cocadas blancas with milk and sugar, brown cocadas made with brown sugar, and cocadas de arequipe, which is one of the most decadent coffee and desserts combinations that you can’t miss.
4. Arequipe
Colombia’s popular arequipe is basically dulce de leche, and it can be a dessert on its own or served with crackers, fruit, obleas, or cocadas.
It’s easy to make by slowly boiling sweetened milk until it thickens and turns a caramel-brown color.
Brevas con arequipe (figs with dulce de leche) is one of the most popular Colombian recipes.
It’s usually served with a side of white cheese because it pairs so well with the sweet taste of the figs.
5. Arroz Con Leche
Arroz con leche is similar to rice pudding and is made by soaking the rice in plain milk.
Then, you add condensed sweetened milk, sugar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, and bring everything to a boil.
When the milk mixture thickens and the rice is soft and fully cooked, you leave it to cool.
This dessert is best served chilled and with some cinnamon on top for a special twist.
It goes great as a breakfast with a cup of Colombian coffee when you want something light and sweet.
These Traditional Desserts Go Great with Colombian Coffee!
These are just some of the many sweet Colombian delicacies you’ll fall in love with during your trip.
You can also make them at home to bring Colombia closer to you.
Pair them with a cup of your favorite Colombian coffee or other great Latin coffees and start the day with a kick of caffeinated sweetness.
Craving some more delectable Colombian desserts? We’ve got your back!
Here are 11 more traditional Colombian foods that’ll satisfy your sweet tooth.
And to shop for the best Colombian foods and drinks shop Amazon today!
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Jorge Garcia is the founder of AmigoFoods, where he has spent over 20 years helping readers discover authentic Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Raised in a Cuban-American household, Jorge learned to cook at the hands of his mother and grandmother, carrying forward generations of family recipes. That heritage, backed by his family’s four-generation history in the Latin food industry, inspired him to launch AmigoFoods in 2003. With more than 1,000 published articles on recipes, ingredients, and food culture, Jorge’s mission is simple: make authentic Latin cooking approachable for home cooks everywhere while honoring the traditions behind every dish.