Are you in the mood to shake up your dessert game? Why not dive into the sweet, vibrant world of Filipino treats? Whether you’re craving something creamy, craving a chewy snack, or just looking for a refreshing sweet treat, Filipino desserts offer a little something for everyone. The best part? You can whip them up right in your own kitchen with minimal fuss.
Today, I’m excited to walk you through 20 easy and utterly delicious Filipino desserts that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also introduce you to the flavors that celebrate the Philippines’ rich culinary heritage. Let’s get started and add some Filipino flair to your dessert repertoire!
1. Leche Flan
Leche Flan is a famous Filipino dessert known for its rich, creamy texture. It is similar to crème caramel and is a staple at most celebrations.
Ingredients
- Eggs
- Condensed milk
- Evaporated milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix egg yolks, condensed milk, and evaporated milk together.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Caramelize sugar in a pan and pour it into a mold.
- Pour the milk mixture over the caramel.
- Steam or bake in a water bath until set.
2. Halo-Halo
@iankewks Halo-Halo 🥵 #halohalo #filipino #food #filipinofood #recipe #dessert #ube
Halo-Halo translates to “mix-mix,” which is exactly what you do with this colorful, icy dessert loaded with a variety of sweet ingredients.
Ingredients
- Shaved ice
- Evaporated milk
- Various sweet beans
- Jellies
- Fruits
- Sweetened banana
- Leche flan
- Ice cream
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with shaved ice.
- Add a layer of sweet beans, jellies, and fruits.
- Pour evaporated milk over the ice.
- Top with leche flan and a scoop of ice cream.
3. Bibingka
Bibingka is a traditional rice cake that’s especially popular during Christmas. It’s cooked in a banana leaf which imparts a unique flavor.
Ingredients
- Rice flour
- Coconut milk
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Butter
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Salted duck eggs
- Grated coconut
Instructions
- Combine rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, and baking powder.
- Add eggs and melted butter into the mix.
- Pour into a banana leaf-lined pan.
- Add slices of cheese and salted duck eggs on top.
- Bake until golden.
4. Puto
Puto is a steamed rice cake that is often served as a side dish for savory meals or eaten as a snack.
Ingredients
- Rice flour or all-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Milk
- Water
- Butter
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients together.
- Add milk and water to form a batter.
- Pour into small molds.
- Steam until the tops are fluffy and firm.
5. Buko Pandan
Buko Pandan is a dessert that combines young coconut (buko) and pandan leaves for a fragrant and refreshing treat.
Ingredients
- Young coconut (buko)
- Pandan leaves
- Gelatin
- Cream
- Condensed milk
- Pearls or sago
Instructions
- Boil pandan leaves in water and use the water to make gelatin.
- Mix gelatin, coconut strips, cream, and condensed milk.
- Chill in the fridge until set.
- Add cooked pearls or sago before serving.
6. Cassava Cake
This dessert is made from grated cassava root, which gives it a chewy texture. It is sweetened with sugar and enriched with creamy coconut milk.
Ingredients
- Grated cassava
- Coconut milk
- Eggs
- Butter
- Sugar
- Cheese
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except cheese.
- Pour into a baking dish.
- Bake until firm and then top with grated cheese.
- Return to oven until the cheese is bubbly.
7. Ube Halaya
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Ube Halaya is a creamy dessert made from purple yam, giving it a strikingly vibrant purple color.
Ingredients
- Purple yam (ube)
- Condensed milk
- Coconut milk
- Butter
- Sugar
Instructions
- Boil and grate the purple yam.
- Cook yam with condensed milk, coconut milk, butter, and sugar.
- Stir continuously until thickened.
- Cool down before serving.
8. Palitaw
This is a simple rice cake that floats to the surface of boiling water when it’s cooked, hence its name, which means “to surface” or “to float.”
Ingredients
- Glutinous rice flour
- Water
- Grated coconut
- Sesame seeds
- Sugar
Instructions
- Mix rice flour with water to form a dough.
- Form small discs and boil them until they float.
- Coat with grated coconut, then sprinkle with sugar and sesame seeds.
9. Silvanas
Silvanas are frozen dessert cookies that consist of a buttercream sandwiched between two cashew-meringue wafers, coated in cookie crumbs.
Ingredients
- Buttercream
- Cashew-meringue wafers
- Crumbs of cake or cookie
Instructions
- Sandwich a thick layer of buttercream between two cashew-meringue wafers.
- Coat the sandwich in cake or cookie crumbs.
- Freeze until firm.
10. Biko
@sweetnestdownunder Making #biko my favourite glutinous dessert 😋! #bikorecipe #sweetglutinousrice #bikowithlatik
Biko is a sticky rice cake made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar, typically topped with latik for an added texture.
Ingredients
- Glutinous rice
- Brown sugar
- Coconut milk
- Salt
Instructions
- Cook glutinous rice and set aside.
- In a separate pan, caramelize brown sugar, coconut milk, and a pinch of salt.
- Combine with the cooked rice, mix well, and press into a pan.
- Top with latik and serve.
11. Minatamis na Saging
This is a simple yet satisfying dessert made with bananas cooked in a sweet syrup. It’s quick to prepare and a favorite among Filipino households.
Ingredients
- Ripe plantains
- Brown sugar
- Water
- Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Simmer plantains in water with brown sugar and vanilla until the syrup thickens.
- Serve warm or chilled.
12. Sapin-Sapin
Sapin-Sapin is a colorful, layered sticky rice cake, with each layer having a different flavor, such as ube, jackfruit, and coconut.
Ingredients
- Glutinous rice flour
- Coconut milk
- Sugar
- Ube and jackfruit extracts
- Latik for topping
Instructions
- Divide the batter into three, mixing one with ube and another with jackfruit extract.
- Layer in a pan and steam each layer until set before adding the next.
- Top with crispy latik.
13. Panutsa (Peanut Brittle)
Ingredients
- Raw peanuts
- Brown sugar
- Water
Instructions
- Caramelize sugar and water in a pan.
- Add peanuts, stir until coated, and spread out to cool.
14. Camote Cue
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes (camote)
- Brown sugar
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Slice sweet potatoes into thick rounds.
- Fry until halfway done, add brown sugar, and continue frying until caramelized.
- Skewer and serve hot.
15. Taho
Taho is a warm snack made from silken tofu topped with caramel syrup and sago pearls, traditionally sold by street vendors in the mornings.
Ingredients
- Silken tofu
- Arnibal (sweet syrup)
- Sago pearls
Instructions
- Warm the silken tofu gently.
- Top with arnibal and pre-cooked sago pearls.
16. Ginataang Bilo-Bilo
This is a warm coconut soup dessert that includes glutinous rice balls, tapioca pearls, and various fruits like jackfruit and sweet potatoes.
Ingredients
- Glutinous rice balls
- Coconut milk
- Sugar
- Jackfruit
- Sweet potatoes
- Tapioca pearls
Instructions
- Cook sweet potatoes and tapioca pearls in coconut milk.
- Add sugar and jackfruit.
- Drop in rice balls and cook until they float.
17. Turon Saba
Turon Saba is a type of Filipino banana roll, made with plantains and jackfruit wrapped in a spring roll wrapper and deep-fried until crispy.
Ingredients
- Plantains
- Jackfruit
- Brown sugar
- Spring roll wrappers
Instructions
- Wrap slices of plantain and jackfruit in spring roll wrappers with a bit of brown sugar.
- Deep fry until golden and crispy.
18. Mango Float
Mango Float is an easy no-bake dessert featuring layers of graham crackers, whipped cream, and ripe mangoes.
Ingredients
- Ripe mangoes
- Graham crackers
- Whipped cream
- Condensed milk
Instructions
- Layer graham crackers, whipped cream mixed with condensed milk, and sliced mangoes in a dish.
- Repeat the layers and chill overnight.
19. Espasol
This is a type of Filipino rice cake made from glutinous rice flour cooked in coconut milk and dusted with toasted rice flour.
Ingredients
- Glutinous rice flour
- Coconut milk
- Sugar
- Toasted flour for dusting
Instructions
- Cook glutinous rice flour in coconut milk and sugar until thick.
- Form into logs, roll in toasted flour, and slice.
20. Coconut Macaroons
Filipino Coconut Macaroons are uniquely dense and moist, distinct from their American or European counterparts, and packed with shredded coconut.
Ingredients
- Shredded coconut
- Condensed milk
- Eggs
- Butter
- Sugar
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients.
- Spoon into mini muffin cups.
- Bake until golden.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re gathering around the table for a family meal or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon snack, these desserts are sure to bring joy and sweetness into your day. Enjoy experimenting with these recipes!