Uruguayan Dessert Recipes
From the layered meringue and dulce de leche of chajá to the flaky sweetness of pasta frola, discover the sweets that define Uruguay’s rich dessert tradition.
+1
Uruguayan desserts reflect the country's deep Italian and Spanish immigrant heritage, blending European baking traditions with the dulce de leche and meringue that define much of the Río de la Plata region's sweet cuisine. From the towering layers of chajá to fruit-filled pastries like pasta frola, Uruguay's confections are shared with neighboring Argentina yet carry their own distinct pride and character.
Chajá
A towering dessert of airy sponge cake, sweet meringue, whipped cream, and dulce de leche, all crowned with fresh peaches, chajá is Uruguay’s signature sweet — created in the city of Paysandú and now beloved at birthdays, holidays, and bakeries across the country.
Get the RecipeMore Uruguayan Desserts to Try
See all 12 desserts →
A Guide to Uruguayan Desserts
Uruguayan desserts overlap with Argentina's but have their own stars. Chajá, the meringue, sponge, cream and peach cake from Paysandú, is the national dessert; pasta frola is the lattice tart filled with quince paste or dulce de leche. Tortas fritas are the fried dough rounds eaten with mate on rainy afternoons, and pasta de guayaba y queso, guava paste with cheese, is the simplest sweet on the table.
Start with the recipes above, then see the full roundup of 12 Uruguayan desserts, or explore all Uruguayan food and Latin and Spanish desserts across the site.
Craving more Uruguayan sweets?
Explore our complete roundup, or browse desserts from across Latin America and Spain.