This collection of Puerto Rican desserts highlights island favorites from Salima’s Kitchen, including a beloved family flan, classic pan de Mallorca sweet bread, and two comforting rice puddings. Read on for a curated list of my top dessert recipes that showcase traditional Puerto Rican flavors.
If you love Puerto Rican cuisine, you know desserts play a central role in family meals and celebrations. Many recipes share common ingredients like coconut milk, cinnamon, cream cheese, and evaporated milk, which give these sweets their familiar, comforting profiles.
Below are my favorite flan variations and other classic Puerto Rican desserts—each one easy to make and full of island character.
Flan Recipes
Puerto Rican Flan Recipe
A classic family recipe for Puerto Rican flan featuring a silky custard and rich homemade caramel. This dessert is a staple at gatherings and celebrations for its creamy texture and simple, elegant taste.
ChocoFlan (The Impossible Layered Cake)
ChocoFlan pairs a moist chocolate cake with a silky flan layer and caramel—an impressive dessert that combines textures and flavors for a memorable finish to any meal.
Pumpkin Flan (Flan de Calabaza)
A seasonal twist on traditional flan: creamy pumpkin blended into the custard with warm spices and finished with caramel. Perfect for autumn gatherings or any time you want a cozy dessert.
Puerto Rican Salted Coconut Flan
This variation adds coconut and a hint of salt to the traditional flan base, delivering balanced sweetness and a subtle tropical note that complements the caramel topping.
Other Desserts
Pan de Mallorca (Puerto Rican Sweet Bread)
Pan de Mallorca is an enriched, egg-based sweet bread that’s soft and pillowy. Enjoy it dusted with powdered sugar for breakfast, as a sandwich, or alongside coffee.
Authentic Puerto Rican Quesitos (in 30 minutes!)
Quesitos are quick puff pastry turnovers filled with sweetened cream cheese. They bake up in under 30 minutes and are ideal with coffee or as a portable treat.
Pastelillos de Guayaba (Guava Pastries)
Pastelillos de guayaba combine guava paste and cream cheese inside flaky puff pastry. They’re simple to prepare and make a sweet, slightly tangy pastry that’s beloved across the island.
Piragua (Shaved Ice)
Piragua is Puerto Rico’s shaved ice dessert topped with sweet, fruity syrups. It’s refreshing, quick to prepare, and a favorite on hot days.
Puerto Rican Coconut Rice Pudding (Arroz con Dulce)
Arroz con dulce is a comforting coconut rice pudding made with canned coconut milk, rice, and warm spices. For the best texture, soak short-grain rice before cooking so it cooks evenly without becoming mushy.
Arroz con Leche
This arroz con leche uses long-grain rice, whole milk, butter, brown sugar, and spices for a creamy, comforting dessert that’s easy to make in under an hour.
Fluffy Piña Colada Cupcakes
These cupcakes blend pineapple and coconut flavors into a moist cake topped with coconut cream cheese frosting—a bright, tropical treat for parties or everyday indulgence.
Pina Colada Cake
This cake incorporates pineapple chunks and is finished with coconut whipped cream, offering the nostalgic flavors of a piña colada in cake form.
Puerto Rican Tembleque (Coconut Pudding)
Tembleque is a smooth, wobbly coconut pudding made with coconut milk, cornstarch, cinnamon, and sugar. Chill it well for the best texture and serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Sweet Fried Plantains (Maduros)
Maduros are sweet fried plantains made from ripe, browned plantains. They caramelize while frying and make a simple, irresistible dessert or side dish.
Coconut Macaroons with a Chocolate Drizzle
These five-ingredient macaroons are chewy, slightly salty, and finished with a chocolate drizzle—an easy gluten-free dessert to make in under an hour.
Puerto Rican Coquito (Vegan Substitutes Included)
Coquito is a festive, creamy coconut-and-spice cocktail similar to eggnog that often includes rum. It’s richly flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg; please enjoy responsibly.
5 Ingredient Guava Cheese Empanadas
These guava and cream cheese empanadas use just five ingredients to create a flaky, sweet, and slightly tangy pastry finished with powdered sugar—ideal for dessert or a sweet snack.
I hope this list sparks some inspiration for your kitchen. While not exhaustive, it highlights a variety of Puerto Rican desserts that showcase the island’s flavors and techniques. If you try any of these recipes, please leave a comment and share your results!
Buen provecho,
