Packed with amazing flavors and eye-catching colors, this list of Puerto Rican Desserts is sure to inspire your next dessert tray!
Puerto Rico is considered the Caribbean’s most famous and beloved island, and its cuisine has contributed to this title.
If going to the beautiful, tropical island is already on your bucket list, you can’t leave without trying their traditional scrumptious desserts.
Simple and easy to make, you can copy the taste of the Caribbean from the comfort of your own home.
We’ve gathered 25 of the best Puerto Rican desserts that you can make from scratch.
Read on as we explore each one.
From the holiday favorite rum drink Coquito to rich Flan de Queso, you’ll find something authentic here.
Check out #6 if you are a fan of sweet pastries.

1. Tres Leches
Tres Leches has moist and fluffy bread.
Soaked in different types of milk (evaporated milk, condensed milk, and full-fat milk) and topped with creamy and sweet cream, this cake is uncomplicated and a certified crowd-pleaser.
Tres leches can be found in almost all bakeries on the island, and it is eaten as a snack and paired with coffee or juice.
2. Tembleque
Tembleque, which means “to tremble” in Spanish, describes its consistency because this famous Puerto Rican Christmas pudding jiggles.
The pudding has a coconut milk base and is covered in cinnamon for extra sweetness.
Although coconut is the original flavor of this pudding, locals have since explored other flavors such as Nutella, pumpkin, and piña colada.
Arroz Con Dulce is a delicious and hearty rice pudding made from coconut milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk.
Various spices and other ingredients such as raisins and cinnamon are also added to give the dessert a satisfying kick.

4. Coquito
Looking for something sweet to wash your meal down with?
Then you can try Coquito, the classic Puerto Rican coconut drink with rum.
Traditionally served at Christmas parties, this eggnog-like drink is made of coconut milk, spices, condensed milk, coconut cream, and rum.
The drink is a bit thick and it is best served chilled.
What makes this drink wonderful is that you won’t feel the buzz immediately, so you can enjoy a couple of glasses before the alcohol hits.
5. Majarete
Majarete’s recipe varies from country to country, but the Puerto Rican version is made with rice flour.
This rice pudding is very easy to make and only requires a couple of ingredients.
Just like the other desserts mentioned above, the pudding is made with condensed milk and coconut milk.
For added flavor and aroma, vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks and cinnamon powder is included.
Queso Blanco Con Pasta De Guayaba, which translates to white cheese and guava paste, is made with simple ingredients.
You only need two things: white cheese and guava paste.
Once ready, you can serve them sliced or you can serve them cubed and placed on top of each other.
You can add a cracker as its base if you want to add a bit of salty taste to them.
8. Budin
Budin is a traditional bread pudding with raisins and is hardened for days to make its consistency cake-like.
This bread pudding is known as a dessert made by grandmothers and has been part of the country’s cuisine for generations.
The pudding takes time to make though.
This is because the bread needs to be cut up into small pieces and left in milk and spice mixture to soften.
Pastelillos De Guayaba is a staple in any festival and celebration.
This delicious pastry is made with chewy and soft dough and delicious guava filling.
Baked to golden perfection, the pastry is dusted with powdered sugar before serving.
10. Besitos De Coco
Besitos De Coco gives you the authentic flavor of the Caribbean in one satisfying bite.
These are small and crunchy cookies with sweet, shredded coconut.
Moist and chewy, these amazing coconut macaroons are an ideal snack.
Dulce De Grosellas is made of red currant, which is a type of gooseberry with a bittersweet taste.
Red currant is not easy to find, but if you do, you can always create this traditional dessert.
The recipe takes time to prepare since it requires boiling the currants in a mixture of sugar, cinnamon, and lime juice.
12. Flan De Queso
Flans are popular desserts in Latin America.
They are rich and creamy, but this version, the Flan de Queso, has a tanginess to it.
This is all thanks to the cream cheese added during the preparation of the base.
The locals have created different varieties of this dessert, from tres leches, Nutella, coffee to jack fruit and pistachio.
13. Mampostial
A lot of the traditional Puerto Rican desserts have both sugar and coconut in them.
Mampostial, also called marrallo, is no exception.
This shredded coconut bar has two main ingredients: cane molasses and shredded coconuts.
The mixture creates a delicious and sweet mass that is baked to perfection and cut in a form of candy bars.
14. Limber
Do you want to cool down on a hot summer’s day?
Then grab a cup of this sweet frozen dessert.
Limber is a combination of popsicle and ice cream that is served in a plastic cup.
Made with fruit juice, sugar, condensed milk, coconut milk, and water, this rich and creamy treat will surely cool you down.
Dulce De Lechosa is made of unripe papaya that is cut into small, bite-size pieces.
The papaya is boiled in a mixture of water, cinnamon, sugar, and cloves
This dessert has a syrup-like consistency, enticing aroma, and sweetness that you will surely love.
Dulce de Batata y Coco, which translates to sweet potatoes and coconut, combines two of the famous ingredients of the island.
This dessert is sometimes made in cheese-like consistency or cream-like form, but most of the time, they are made into bars.
17. Polvorones
Polvorones, also called mantecaditos, are small sugar cookies with guava paste filling and sprinkles.
There are versions that use pineapple jam or Nutella as fillings.
The ingredients of these sugar cookies are easy to prepare.
A favorite among kids, these soft cookies are best paired with coffee and milk and are best eaten as an afternoon snack.
Dulce De Ajonjolí is a staple of food markets in Puerto Rico.
These sesame seed candy bars are delicious, sweet and crunchy.
Made with toasted sesame seeds, melted honey, and brown sugar, this easy to make confectionary is cut into rich bars of nutty goodness.
19. Flancocho
Flancocho is a combination of cake and flan, giving you the best of both worlds.
The dessert is soft, creamy and spongy, and it is made by layering cake batter, caramel, and flan mixture.
The layers are baked and chilled in the refrigerator.
It is made for sheer indulgence and is a must-try dish in the island.
You may have heard of empanadas, the famous Latin American pastry that is served almost anywhere.
The Puerto Rican version is a bit different and sweet.
The pastry is filled with the delicious combination of guava paste and cream cheese that will ooze out when you take a bite.
21. Pumpkin Flan
Not a fan of overly sweet caramel flan? Then you can go for a simple pumpkin flan.
This treat is made the same way that you make a flan, but just add crushed pumpkin and pumpkin spice for the flavor.
This version of pineapple rum cake is a tropical dream.
Often served during holidays, the cake is made with chunks of pineapple at the bottom and a rich glaze on top.
The cake is sweet and fruity, plus the added rum gives it a nice kick.
23. Platanos Maduros
These fried plantains can be made into a simple and quick dessert.
Platanos Maduros are cooked in brown sugar and cinnamon, and it’s served hot.
You can even add more sugar on top to boost the sweetness level.
Can’t get enough of Coquitos?
Why not make it into a cake?
The Coquito Tres Leches Cake is a light and milky cake with chocolate or caramel toppings.
The Coquito adds a coconut-like flavor to the bread and makes it a wonderfully festive and satisfying treat.
Piragua De Crema is a creamy and sweet treat that is perfect on a hot day.
The dessert is made of thinly shaved ice poured with cream and vanilla.
The recipe is very easy to make, and you can create your own version by adding fruits on top.
The bottom line
Puerto Rico is filled with good, unique dishes that are worth visiting the island for.
Their desserts are made of healthy and natural sweeteners like coconuts, milk, and brown sugar.
You can confidently go on a guilt-free food trip.

25 Best Puerto Rican Dessert Recipe Assortment 🍮
Packed with amazing flavors and eye-catching colors, this list of Puerto Rican desserts is sure to inspire your next dessert tray!
Ingredients
- Tres Leches
- Tembleque
- Arroz Con Dulce
- Coquito
- Majarete
- Quesito
- Queso Blanco Con Pasta De Guayaba
- Budin
- Pastelillos De Guayaba
- Besitos De Coco
- Dulce De Grosellas
- Flan De Queso
- Mampostial
- Limber
- Candied Papaya (Dulce de Lechosa)
- Dulce De Batata Y Coco (Dominican Sweet Potato Pudding)
- Polvorones
- Dulce De Ajonjolí (Sesame Candy)
- Flancocho
- Guava Cheese Empanadas
- Pumpkin Flan
- Puerto Rican Pineapple Rum Cake
- Platanos Maduros
- Coquito Tres Leches Cake
- Piragua De Crema (Cream Shaved Ice)
Instructions
- Find your favorite recipe from our Puerto Rican Desserts list.
- Gather all the ingredients needed.
- Start baking and make us proud!