Indulge in the rich flavors of the Philippines by bringing its iconic desserts into your kitchen! With a history that’s a melting pot of influences from all over the world, it’s no wonder that Filipino cuisine is renowned for its incredible diversity.
This unique blend of cultural influences not only shapes the country’s savory dishes but also defines its sweet treats, which are known for their velvety textures and unexpected main ingredients.
Prepare to be tantalized by the array of mouthwatering desserts that will satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more.
Banana Turon
For those who can’t get enough of banana fritters, banana turon offers a delightful surprise. These bite-sized pastries are perfect for an afternoon treat or tea time, boasting a delicate flaky texture and an explosion of creamy sweetness in every bite. The key to their irresistible charm lies in the simple yet effective process of soaking saba bananas in a sweet ‘sugar stock’ for approximately ten minutes. Whether you’re looking for a new twist on a classic dessert or simply seeking a sweet escape, banana turon is sure to satisfy your cravings.
Coconut Pie
The coconut pie is a quintessential representation of Filipino patisserie, much like an apple pie is to Western cuisine. It’s a comforting and familiar treat that evokes feelings of warmth and nostalgia. Imagine tender slices of fresh coconut wrapped in a flaky pastry crust, bursting with a creamy filling that melts in your mouth. Each morsel is a masterclass in texture and flavor, transporting you to a place of culinary bliss.
Pan De Coco
Imagine sinking your teeth into a soft, fluffy bread that’s infused with the sweet, tropical flavor of coconut – it’s like biting into a cloud. That’s what Pan de Coco, or coconut bread, has to offer. This delightful treat is surprisingly easy to prepare and store, making it an excellent option for a quick breakfast or snack the next day. But what truly sets it apart is its universal appeal – everyone will love these tender little buns.
Spanish Bread
This Filipino Spanish bread recipe is a perfect treat for warm summer days, offering a delightful combination of lightness, sweetness, and flakiness reminiscent of French croissants at their best. While typically served as an afternoon snack in the Philippines, there’s no reason why you can’t indulge anytime, whether it’s as a pick-me-up between meals or a sweet treat to brighten up your day.
Kamote Turon
As we continue to explore the world of turon recipes, we’re excited to introduce another sweet treat – this time, featuring the humble sweet potato as the star ingredient. While some may be hesitant to use a root vegetable in desserts, rest assured that this unique combination is a game-changer and pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of Filipino chicken dishes.
Ube Pandesal with Cheese
In many Filipino recipes, ube’s vibrant purple color and nutty flavor make it a staple ingredient for sweet treats. This popular yam is often featured in traditional desserts, showcasing its versatility and popularity in the Philippines. On the other hand, pandesal – typically enjoyed as a breakfast bread – can easily transition into a dessert option, making it an excellent choice for satisfying your cravings at any time of day.
Sugar Donuts
The sweet allure of donuts is undeniable, and this recipe takes a unique approach by incorporating Filipino flavors with the addition of buttermilk, subtly enhancing the dough’s richness. With only a few simple steps, you can create these scrumptious sugar-coated donuts. Simply heat oil to medium-high heat and carefully add the dough, allowing it to fry to perfection.
Taisan
There’s something undeniably delightful about chiffon cakes, and this Filipino-inspired take is no exception. What sets it apart from other recipes is its simplicity – no elaborate frosting or specialized pans required. Instead, a humble loaf tin and a cheese grater are all you need to create this sweet treat.
Buko Pie
While we’ve previously explored the world of coconut pie, this recipe offers a fresh spin on the classic dessert. To achieve success, it’s crucial to work with a young coconut, which provides a unique texture and flavor profile that sets this pie apart from its predecessors.
Ube Pianono
Ube Pianono is a Filipino dessert that exudes elegance with its striking purple hue and delectable flavors. The simplicity of its ingredients belies the complexity of its taste, which combines a creamy center with soft, slightly earthy cake to create a luscious experience. In many ways, this swiss-roll style cake has earned the right to be considered the national dish of the Philippines, given the sheer delight it brings to those who taste it.
Ensaymada Bread Rolls
In the realm of Filipino cuisine, there’s a beloved pastry dish that has captured hearts with its simplicity and mouthwatering taste. The iconic bread rolls in question are surprisingly effortless to prepare, demanding minimal equipment – a testament to their ease of execution.
Easy Filipino Desserts
What sets apart a truly exceptional dessert from others is often its ease of preparation. Minimal-effort treats can deliver on flavor without sacrificing stress-free enjoyment. This is particularly true for Filipino cuisine, which boasts an array of recipes that perfectly balance taste and convenience. In this exploration, we’ll delve into just a few of these crowd-pleasing desserts that are as effortless to make as they are delightful to devour.
Ube Cheesecake Bars
Elevate the classic Filipino dessert scene by infusing a modern twist into these scrumptious ube cheesecake bars. The foundation of this indulgent treat lies in its traditional Graham-cracker crust, harmoniously paired with a rich butter blend. However, it’s the innovative fusion of earthy ube and velvety cream cheese that truly sets the stage for a delightful sensory experience.
Cassava Cake
Filipino cuisine’s innovative use of cassava as a dessert ingredient is a testament to its versatility. While traditionally used in savory dishes, this root vegetable plays a starring role in a decadent dessert recipe that harmoniously blends rich flavors. The star-studded cast includes cheese, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and the crowning glory – cassava. Together, they create a sumptuously moist cake that’s sure to satisfy even the sweetest of tooth.
Ube Cookies
Imagine the classic texture of traditional butter cookies – soft, crumbly, and utterly inviting. Add to that the deep, rich flavor of butter, and you have a treat that’s hard to resist. But what if we were to add an unexpected twist? What if we combined those familiar flavors with the subtle earthiness of ube powder, a beloved ingredient in Filipino cuisine? The result is a truly unique cookie – one that not only looks vibrant and eye-catching, thanks to its deep purple hue, but also boasts a flavor profile that’s both familiar and innovative. Whether you’re a fan of traditional butter cookies or looking to mix things up with your baking repertoire, this ube-infused treat is sure to impress.
Banana Lumpia
Another iteration of the beloved banana lumpia, also known as banana turon, this variant employs a rich and indulgent syrup to infuse an unparalleled sweetness. To elevate this pastry to exceptional levels, it’s crucial to identify what sets your signature recipe apart. With that in mind, heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, allowing the flavors to meld together in perfect harmony.
Bananacue
In the Philippines, a sweet and crispy treat called Bananacues has gained popularity as a street food favorite. This indulgent snack is made by coating plantain sticks in brown sugar and then frying them in olive oil, resulting in a delectable, sticky delight that’s often sold by vendors on the streets. Despite being far from the bustling streets of Manila, there’s no excuse to miss out on this classic dessert comfort food – it can be easily recreated at home, allowing you to indulge in a taste of Filipino culture without leaving your kitchen.
Taisan
Taisan, the Filipino chiffon cake, is a masterclass in balancing sweet and savory flavors. This particular take on the classic dessert yields a mellow loaf with subtle coconut undertones that are sure to delight your guests. For fellow coconut enthusiasts, this recipe is just the starting point – be sure to check out our other coconut-based treats, including these scrumptious coconut flour muffins.
Palitaw
In the Philippines, rice and its byproduct, rice flour, have become staples in the culinary world. The versatility of these ingredients has given rise to a plethora of sweet treats, with the palitaw being one such delightful creation. This sticky rice cake boasts a rich flavor profile, characterized by notes of coconut and sesame that meld together in perfect harmony.The beauty of palitaw lies in its adaptability – the rice dough base can be modified to suit any flavor preference. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients to create your own unique variation. For instance, if you’re craving more coconut goodness, take a look at our recipe for coconut macaroons, a delicious and indulgent treat that’s sure to satisfy.
Ube White Chocolate Chip Cookies
There’s something undeniably appealing about a classic chocolate chip cookie, and when you add a regional spin to the mix, the result is nothing short of extraordinary. Take, for instance, these ube white chocolate chip cookies – a true showstopper. What sets them apart from your average cookie, aside from their delectable taste, is their striking appearance. The contrast between the creamy white chocolate chips and the rich purple hue of the cookie itself is simply irresistible.
Ube Crinkle Cookies
The ube crinkle cookies are truly a marvel. Their unique, deep purple color and cracked surface give them an otherworldly appearance, as if you’re consuming a precious gemstone. If you’re seeking a cookie recipe that will astonish and delight the recipient, look no further.
Leche Flan
Leche Flan is often considered a dangerous food, and for good reason – its creamy richness can quickly become addictive. With Spanish roots, this dessert has taken on a life of its own in the Philippines, where the abundance of egg yolks gives it a uniquely rich flavor profile. Imagine a Filipino version of crème caramel, but instead of being small and delicate, Leche Flan is larger than life, with a boldness that’s hard to resist. It’s a culinary experience that’s both familiar and excitingly new, making it a true standout in the world of desserts.
Ube Halaya
For a show-stopping dinner party dessert that’s both impressive and tantalizing, look no further than ube halaya. This rich, deep purple pudding boasts an unbeatable trifecta of traits: it’s sweet, creamy, and perfectly balanced, without ever veering into cloying territory. The subtle earthiness of the ube ensures each bite is harmoniously complex, making it impossible to resist coming back for more.
Cassava Cake
A delectable fusion of flavors, cassava bibingka (or ‘cassava cake’) is a must-try dessert that effortlessly combines the sweetness of coconut with the earthy freshness of cassava root. This delightful treat is sure to satisfy your cravings while introducing you to the world of Filipino desserts.
Biko
Rice is an integral part of Filipino cuisine, making it almost impossible not to encounter during your trip to the Philippines. This staple food is versatile and appears in both savory and sweet dishes throughout the country. One popular example is the combination of glutinous rice with brown sugar and coconut milk, resulting in a sweet and sticky dessert that’s sure to please any crowd. The unique blend of flavors and textures showcases the creativity and resourcefulness of Filipino cooking, as seen in this beloved treat.
Ube Tres Leches Cake
Incorporating the signature earthy flavor and deep purple color of ube, this Filipino-inspired tres leches cake is a showstopper that’s sure to draw attention at any gathering. The name ‘three milks’ may seem unusual, but it perfectly captures the richness and decadence of this indulgent dessert.
Taho
In the Philippines, a specific daily tradition called ‘merienda’ offers a chance to pause and indulge in a sweet treat. Among the popular desserts enjoyed during this time is taho, a unique concoction of silken tofu, fruit syrup, and sago pearls. Typically, it’s prepared by layering the tofu with the flavorful syrup and adding the chewy sago pearls for added texture.
Yema
Indulge in our final sweet treat, yema – a delectable recipe for fluffy baked custard balls that are simply irresistible. These bite-sized morsels are smothered in a crunchy sugar glaze that shatters with each delightful bite. Be warned: once you take a bite, you’ll be hooked.
