In Peru, there is always a special occasion to celebrate and pay tribute to its rich culture and traditions. And, as in any holiday, food plays a fundamental role. Among the most outstanding dishes, desserts occupy a privileged place on the Peruvian table. On this occasion, the most delicious traditional Peruvian desserts that are part of Peruvian gastronomy.
Queso Helado (Arequipa):
The city of Arequipa, known for its impressive colonial architecture and its rich gastronomy, offers us the delicious “queso helado.”
Although its name may be misleading, as it contains no cheese, this dessert has a smooth, creamy texture similar to ice cream.
Made with milk, cinnamon, vanilla and other secret ingredients, the frozen cheese is served in generous portions and is perfect to enjoy during the summer.
King Kong (Trujillo):
In the northern city of Trujillo, there is an iconic dessert known as “king kong.” This delight consists of a type of cake made with puff pastry, filled with manjarblanco (dulce de leche) and nuts such as walnuts, raisins and pecans.
King Kong is a highly appreciated dessert in Trujillo and is usually shared with the family during national holidays.
Alfajores (Chiclayo):
In the Chiclayo region, located on the northern coast of Peru, we find another traditional dessert: alfajor. These sweet cookies are known for their soft texture and manjarblanco filling.
The Chiclayo alfajor is characterized by having a generous size and being covered in powdered sugar. It is an exquisite sweet that cannot be missing from the tables during the national holidays.
Wawas (Cusco):
This horse or cow-shaped cake is known throughout the country, but it has its origins in Cusco. These are decorated with sweets to be more attractive. They are cheap and depending on their size, they can measure up to 80 centimeters.
Guargüeros (Moquegua):
In the province of Moquegua, there is the delicious traditional dessert known as “guargueros”. These sweets are made from wheat flour, eggs, sugar and vanilla essence. The dough is mixed and rolled out to form small round cookies that are baked until crispy. Guargueros are appreciated for their sweet flavor and decorative appearance, as they often have intricate designs.