Are you are looking for a special Thanksgiving dessert to make this year? Why not try a Colombian inspired dessert with familiar flavors and ingredients, but with a Latin twist. Although we live in Colombia, we enjoying celebrating U.S. holidays (especially any food related ones!) We love that Thanksgiving is a big gastronimic celebration and makes a great occasion to get together with family and friends to enjoy delicious food and be thankful for everything we have.
Since we are currently living in Bogotá, we will celebrate our Thanksgiving meal with a potluck with other expats and Colombians. There will of course be a turkey and some traditional side dishes, but we want to add a Latin taste to the holiday that reflects Colombian culture and ingredients. No Thanksgiving meal is complete without dessert so here are some decadent Colombian desserts you can share at your own Thanksgiving table. From pudding to cake to empanadas, these incredible dessert recipes will help you create a sweet and satisfying end to your Thanksgiving feast. I’m sure your holiday guests will love digging in to one of these Colombian Thanksgiving desserts!
Buen provecho! Happy Eating!
Arroz con Leche con Canela
This may be considered a retro dessert, but we like to call it a classic. Who doesn’t remember enjoying rice pudding as a child? While very popular in Colombia, different varieties of this delicious dish can be found around the globe. The Colombian version amps up the flavor with aromatic spices and vanilla. Soak your raisins in rum for an extra Colombian kick!
Milhoja
Milhoja literally translates to “a thousand leaves” because the dessert is made by stacking layers of puff pastry filled with arequipe (a creamy mix of condensed milk), sugar, and vanilla, which makes for a decadent dessert. This Colombian dessert is not for novice chefs, but with a little video guidance can be achieved and is worth trying!
Tres Leches Cake
Tres Leches Cake is a very popular dessert in Colombia and all over Latin America. Three types of milks (condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream) are used to prepare the cake, which is where the name originates. The fabulous thing about this cake is that it is simple to make and always comes out succulent and delicious, due to the three leches. You can make your own Tres Leches Cake using the recipe from My Colombian Recipes.
Pumpkin Empanadas
Empanadas are a Colombian street food staple, but that doesn’t mean you can’t eat them at the comfort of the Thanksgiving table. This dish is the perfect combination of sweet and savory and fairly easy to make with readily accessible ingredients, no matter if you’re in the U.S. or Colombia.
