In Chile you will find several typical Chilean desserts, many of them pastries. Here are some Chilean favorites, along with links to recipes in English.
Alfajores and Chilenitos
Perhaps the most popular of all Chilean desserts, Alfajores are cookie sandwiches with a sweet filling. Sometimes the filling is the caramel-like manjar, and other times it is fruit or chocolate mousse. Alfajores use thicker, softer cookies and are often covered with chocolate. Chilenitos use a thinner cookie and are sprinkled with powdered sugar or nuts.
Leche Asada
This classic dessert is a delicacy because it is difficult and time-consuming to make. It is a custard made with milk, eggs, cinnamon and sugar and is often topped with a sugary glaze. This one is often served at special occasions.
Cuchufli
These desserts are served by the dozen because they are small and light. They are a thin wafer or cookie pastry rolled into a tube and filled with something sweet, usually manjar or chocolate. They are often topped with powdered sugar or drizzled with chocolate.
Other Typical Chilean Desserts
Of course the list doesn’t end there. Here are some other typical Chilean desserts:
Sopaipillas are round, flat pieces of fried dough made with pumpkin.
Kuchen is a cake made with fruit and sometimes a streusel topping. Chileans, especially in the south, also like to make apple strudel, which is exactly what it sounds like.
Mote con Huesillo is a summertime drink you can eat, made with peaches and wheat.
Pan de Pascua is a favorite at Christmas. It is a sweet bread with fruit and nuts.
Manjar is a caramel-like treat used with many different kinds of pastries.
Pictures by JohnSeb and Secret Tenerife.
Just bought at the Mercado Central in Santiago some alfajors called “Panchitos” made by the Fruna Company. (Only 100 pesos each; individially wrapped; 40g at 177 calories per cookie). Do you know what this word “panchitos” refers to? I hope I don’t like them too much because it’s a long way back to get some more.
Barbara,
I know Chileans will call bread: “pancito”. This treat’s name may just be a play on words or even on a person’s name “Pancho”. Chileans like to add “-ito” to the ends of words. It technically means “little” but can be used as a term of endearment as well.
Kuchen is German, right?
Dara,
Yes, kuchen is German for “Cake”