Cuban desserts are all about balance. They are not overly sweet, can be creamy, and usually deeply nostalgic. These are the desserts Abuela brought out for birthdays, holidays, and long Sunday dinners, when the table was already full but everyone still said yes to one more bite. This guide isn’t about how to make each dessert, but think of it more as helping you choose the right one for your table.
Cuban desserts offer a diverse array of treats, but most have common ground. Typically featuring tropical fruits, rich custards, and flaky pastries, reflecting both Spanish influences and the island’s abundance of sugar and other fresh ingredients. Desserts and sugar are central to the Cuban diet.
The 8 Best Cuban Desserts
When you grow up Cuban in Miami, Cuban desserts are really the only desserts we know. Every birthday party had a Carvel or Publix cake (iykyk) and an array of tres leches, flan and pastelitos. We also would be remiss if we did not mention the famous Miami bakery and local legend, Edda, that made the Cuban Rum Cake famous.
Flan:
Smooth, creamy, and perfectly caramelized, flan is a classic Cuban dessert that feels elegant but comforting at the same time. It’s often served after big family meals when something light but satisfying is just right.
Make it here: Full Recipe HERE with all the tips
Pastelitos:
This is something that you are going to find in any Cuban ventanita (window). If you are wondering, yes sugar is one of Cuba’s major food groups. These baked puff pastries are filled with various sweet fillings like guava paste, cream cheese, coconut, or mango. However it can also be filled with Carne, and some people we know call it breakfast. The guava and cheese combination (pastelito de guayaba y queso) is probably the one to try if you are looking to dabble. However we have an amazing Mango Pastelitos Recipe that you can try if you are feeling frisky!
Arroz con Leche:
Creamy, gently spiced, and deeply comforting, Arroz con Leche is a classic Cuban dessert that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Simmered slowly and finished with cinnamon, it’s often made for quiet evenings at home or served as a simple, nostalgic ending to a family meal. Arroz con Leche is another testament to the Cuban spirit and love of sugar. It’s a personal family favorite.
Make it here: Arroz con Leche Recipe
Tres Leches Cake:
Light, airy, and soaked in a trio of milks, Tres Leches is a dessert that feels indulgent without being heavy. It’s often served at birthdays and special gatherings, where its soft texture and gently sweet flavor make it a crowd favorite across generations.
Make it here: Tres Leches Cake Recipe can be assembled and made the night before.
While we know that making a cake from scratch can be a little intimidating, we do have a Quick Tres Leches Hack Recipe that you can do if you want something a little easier and quicker.
Cuban Rum Cake
Rich, buttery, and soaked in a sweet rum glaze, Cuban Rum Cake is a celebration dessert through and through. It’s the kind of cake that shows up at birthdays, holidays, and any gathering that calls for something a little extra special.
Make it here: Rum Cake Recipe and pair it with our Favorite Merengue Frosting
Merengue
Cuban merengue is light, glossy, and delicately sweet. They are commonly found around holidays and special events. A perfect bite of sugar and nostalgia.
Make it here: Our Merengue Recipe and let us know how it goes!
Torticas de Morón (Cuban Sugar Cookies):
Delicate, lightly sweet, and perfect with coffee, Cuban butter cookies are often served as an everyday treat. They’re the kind of dessert that lives on the counter and disappears little by little throughout the day.
We love making this recipe with our kids, because it allows so much room for creativity. It is an easy to follow recipe, and the kids can decorate it with different sprinkles, jams, nutella or other ideas.
Make it here: Torticas de Moron Recipe
Pound Cake Panetela
Light, airy, and delicately sweet, Cuban Panetela is a sponge cake that feels both simple and elegant. Often served with coffee, fresh fruit, or layered with frosting for special occasions, it’s a classic dessert that shows up in everyday moments and celebrations alike.
Make it here: Our Panetela Recipe
Natilla
Natilla is simple, nostalgic, and deeply rooted in tradition. This creamy custard is often made during the holidays or for quiet moments when dessert is meant to feel familiar and comforting rather than flashy.
There is something about the way it all comes together in the pot that just feels like a hug when you eat it.
Make it here:r Abuela’s Natilla Recipe and find our easy to follow Recipe Video on Our You Tube Channel NOW!
Our personal favorite thing about Natilla is that you can make it with different flavors. It’s almost too good to be true! Try some of our other delicious Natilla flavors:
How to Choose the Right Cuban Dessert
Some Cuban desserts are meant for celebration, while others are meant for quiet moments at home. Rum cake and flan shine at holidays and gatherings, while custards and cookies are perfect for everyday comfort. No matter which you choose, each dessert carries a story from Abuela’s kitchen.
Looking for more classic Cuban recipes? Explore our full collection of traditional dishes, passed down from Abuela’s kitchen to yours.
