17 Peruvian Desserts: Most Popular In Peru

Some of the best Peruvian desserts in Lima, Peru are found in bakeries and restaurants while others are found on store shelves or food street carts. No matter where you go, there is definitely a sweet treat around the corner that you must try. 

Lima, Peru is one of the world’s top rated culinary destinations, and the sweet-tooth foodie journey is an epic one. Here are 17 of Peru’s best Peruvian desserts that you must try in Lima, Peru. 

We will cover:

• Manjar blanco-based desserts: Manjar blanco is very similar to caramel or dulce de leche. It’s typically made with sweetened condensed milk and a light brown sugar, although exact ingredients and recipes vary. The quality of a dessert’s manjar blanco is make or break in this category. 
• Store-bought desserts: Whether it is a convenience store, a small street-side store in downtown Lima, Peru, or a grocery store, these desserts are very popular and accessible.
• Cakes: Lima, Peru is full of delicious bakeries that serve some of the best Peruvian desserts, and cakes are no exception. While you will be able to find many types of cakes in Lima, Peru, the ones we are covering on this portion of the list are truly and authentically Peruvian. 
• Frozen sweets: Lima has several great ice cream shops to try. While you stop by for a refreshing cold dessert, these are classic local flavors you must try while in Lima, Peru.
• Street food desserts: While walking around street food heavy zones, you will be sure to find several sweet treats along the way. This portion of the list highlights the best ones to try.

1. Alfajores

One of Peru’s most famous desserts are alfajores. The perfectly textured fluffy yet crunchy cookie cracks as you sink your teeth in and then beautifully melts into the well-balanced manjar blanco. 

My personal recommendation:

If you’re curious of the best place to get alfajores in Lima, Peru, check out my Alfajores Guide. 

2. Chocotejas

Chocotejas is usually a milk and dark chocolate blend. The handmade chocolate is poured into a mold, and then emptied, resulting in a chocolate shell. It is filled with manjar blanco. The texture and flavor of the manjar blanco is key. It is then garnished with a roasted pecan and the bottom is close with another of chocolate. 

My personal recommendation:

You will find this both in stores sold as a more commercial candy as well as gourmet versions that are made by hand. I specifically advocate for the excellence of handmade chocotejas. When done right, these are one of my favorite desserts of all time, although I do warn it isn’t easy to come by one that are done properly. A lot of them are disappointing. 

3. Milhojas

Milhojas is a delicious Peruvian dessert that is all about perfecting textures. Paper thin layers of slightly crunchy crust are interlaced with layers of manjar blanco. You will find many variations of milhojas, and it is quite fun to experiment with the different fillings and flavor combinations various bakeries put together. 

My personal recommendation:

Try this at Pasteleria San Antonio. Try different variations, and share which was your favorite!

4. Cachitos Con Manjar

This Peruvian dessert is like a cone of fine, slightly crunchy bread hallowed out and filled with manjar blanco. It goes great as a little sweet treat to enjoy with a black coffee. 

My personal recommendation:

This is available at most Peruvian pastry shops in Lima. If you see one, give it a try. If you like very sweet and rich desserts, this is for you. If you get overwhelmed by overly sweet or rich foods, you may want to avoid this one. I personally enjoy one small one with a black coffee to offer some flavor balance. 

5. Pionono

The Pionono is a classic Peruvian dessert that is easy to find in Lima, Peru. It is a dessert roll filled with manjar blanco. 

My personal recommendation:

Similar to the cachito con manjar, this Peruvian dessert is nice in moderation and balances well with a coffee. The truth is, all dessert is great with coffee!

6. Turron Dona Pepa

Turron Dona Pepa is a Peruvian dessert that is commonly bought in stores, but can also be found in some specialty bakeries. It is a thick and chewy desserts sweetened with a syrup called chancaca. It has a fun appearance as it is topped with colorful candies. 

In el Centro de Lima, or downtown Lima, you can ask locals how to get to la Calle de los turrones. There, you will find tons of little stores that specialize in specific brands of turron. The brands are very competitive and people are loyal to their favorites. 

My personal recommendation:

The oldest and most classic place to try Turron Dona Pepa is Pasteleria de San Martin. Order it with some coffee and then ask locals how to reach la Calle de los turrones. Once you are there, you may want to try multiple brands. We love Turron Calderon.

7. King Kong

King Kong is another classic Peruvian dessert that is often sold in el centro de Lima in la Calle de los turrones. It can also be found in many convenience and grocery stores, too.

My personal recommendation:

You should try this at least once. Manuel adores it. I personally don’t like it at all. I think this dessert is hit or miss. 

8. Torta De Chocolate Con Lúcuma 

This soft cake is filled with a layer of Peru’s famous Lucuma fruit. It is then topped with chocolate. This well balanced cake’s implementation of classic Peruvian fruit makes it a must-try dessert that you must add to your bucket list. 

My personal recommendation:

The best place to have this dessert is at Dolce Capriccio in Lima, Peru. They have excellent desserts and baked goods, and they make this cake particularly well.

9. Cheesecake De Maracuyá (Passion Fruit Cheesecake)

Many countries serve cheesecake, the thing that makes this particular one unique is the delicious topping of passion fruit. Much like strawberry toppings are commonly paired with cheesecake in the U.S., you will find that most bakeries in Peru that offer cheesecake offer it with a passion fruit toppings.

My personal recommendation:

I love the cheesecake de maracuya from Mariate. They have an excellent crust, cheesecake, and deliciously balanced passion fruit topping.

10. Suspiro A La Limena

Suspiro a La Limena is a classic Peruvian dessert made with a rich dulce de leche-style base topped with sweet, fluffy meringue. It’s creamy, silky, and very sweet, with a touch of cinnamon on top.

My personal recommendation:

This is offered on many restaurant dessert menus in Lima, Peru. If it peaks your interest, give it a try. 

11. Queso Helado

Queso helado a traditional Peruvian frozen dessert made with milk, coconut, cinnamon, and vanilla. Despite its name, which means “frozen cheese,” it contains no cheese and has a creamy, lightly icy texture similar to handmade ice cream.

My personal recommendation:

Try this as a street food. We had it while walking around on a hot day in downtown Lima, and it was very refreshing and authentic.

12. Helado de Lucuma

Helado de Lucuma is a popular Peruvian ice cream made from lúcuma, a native fruit known for its naturally sweet, caramel-like flavor. Its creamy texture and unique taste make it one of Peru’s most iconic dessert flavors.

My personal recommendation:

I personally like this as a gelato. We tried this while walking around in Barranco. While exploring Barrance, you will definitely find more than one gelato spot featuring this flavor. 

13. Raspadilla

Very similar to snow cones, this classic frozen Peruvian dessert is frozen ice topped with flavorful fruit syrups. The ice is shaved down into a perfect powder texture, and the fruit syrups are based from natural fruits. This is the best version of a snow cone I have ever tried, it is truly refreshing and addictive. 

My personal recommendation:

D’Garibay is a classic spot in Lima that locals have been coming back to during the hot months for years and years. It is a hidden gem and a must try.

14. Picarones

Picarones are a traditional Peruvian dessert that you can find in street food carts as well as on the menus of most local restaurants. Similar to a donut in concept but not necessarily in flavor, the dough is made from sweet potato and squash. The dough is hand shaped into it’s proper form, and then deep fried to perfection and topped with the sweet and think chancaca syrup.

My personal recommendation:

If you are eating at a criollan Peruvian restaurant, order this. It’s a crowd pleaser! If you see picarones while walking along the streets of Lima, you must stop and order some.

15. Arroz Con Leche Con Mazamorra

Arroz con leche is a classic dessert across central and South America, but Peru personalized it with it’s add on of mazamorra. This purple gelatin like add on has a very distinct flavor that is almost in the same family tree as licorice. I am not a big fan and usually order my arroz con leche without mazamorra. 

My personal recommendation:

This is a nice street food during a chilly day. This Peruvian dessert is usually served warm. 

16. Peruvian Churro

Longer and thicker than the Spanish and Mexican churros and stuffed with manjar blanco, this is a totally unique churro experience that you must try. 

My personal recommendation:

Try the Peruvian churro at Churreria San Francisco. They have a location in Centro de Lima as well as in Lince. This is my favorite churro of my life, and was an unexpected gem. Add it to your must try list. 

17. Mazamorra Morada

Mazamorra morada is a traditional Peruvian dessert made from purple corn, fruit, and spices. It has a thick, pudding-like texture and a sweet, fruity flavor, making it one of Peru’s most iconic desserts.

My personal recommendation:

Try this at least once but to be honest I do not like it. The flavor is distinct and I see this as a hit or miss dessert. With that being said, it’s traditional background makes it worthy of at least one bite. Commonly served in street carts, you can order it while walking around street-food heavy zones like el centro de Lima.