If you’re like me than one of your favorite aspects of travel is the food, especially the desserts. In this post, you’ll learn about 12 Ecuador desserts that will have you coming back for more.

12 Ecuador Desserts to Try on Your Next Trip

Do you have a sweet tooth? If so you’re about to get hungry and start craving some of these amazing Ecuador desserts.

1) Suspiros

Suspiros are a light, sweet dessert that melts in your mouth. The name “suspiros” basically means a sigh or a breath, which is fitting because they are so light and disappear quickly.

They are usually white/beige but can come in many interesting colors like light pink, yellow, and green. You’ll find them at bakeries throughout the country as they are a popular treat.

The main ingredients are egg whites, sugar and lemon juice.

Suspiros are baked meringues which come out of the oven stiff and light.

2) Espumillas

Espumillas is another Ecuador meringue dessert that’s sold as street food all over the country. The first time you see it you may confuse it for ice cream, but you’ll soon realize it’s not because people are walking around with it piled high on trays in the hot weather. It has a creamy texture and is often served in ice cream cones.

The name of this dessert means foam and is very fitting because it’s so light and fluffy. It’s served in pretty colors (white, pink, blue) and often has sprinkles on top, the children love it.

This is another light, sweet dessert that is made from egg whites, fruit pulp, and sugar. It’s usually made with guava (called guayaba in Ecuador) fruit pulp.

Check out this recipe to try them at home.

3) Torta de las tres leches

This is a very popular cake sold in restaurants and grocery stores around the country. It is usually a frosted white cake which is very moist and sitting in a base of sweet milk.

The name means cake made with three kinds of milk. The milk used is sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and evaporated milk. The milk sauce is poured over the cake (after it’s baked) so that it gets fully absorbed and saturates the cake. The cake is moist but not soggy.

4) Dulce de higos

This is a very traditional dessert of preserved figs cooked in a sauce of cane sugar and spices. Dulce de higos means sweetness of figs. You’ll often see this on the menu at restaurants throughout the country.

The fig and sauce is very sweet and usually served with a slice of unsalted, soft cheese to balance out the sweetness. If you are a fan of figs, you won’t want to miss trying this along with your other Ecuador desserts.

5) Dulce de leche (or Manjar)

This is a very versatile dessert and is served in restaurants and homes all over the country. You can eat this thick pudding-like dessert on its own, or use it as a topping on a wide variety of things, like ice cream, cookies, cakes, toast…

The name means sweetness of milk (literal) or special treat.

The main ingredients are whole milk and panella (dark cane sugar). Traditionally it’s made on the stove top and involves a lot of attention and stirring, taking around 3 hours in total.

6) Quesadillas

In Ecuador, quesadillas are a sweet/savory pastry shaped like a pentagon.

This is a baked dessert popular all over the country, but especially in Quito. The famous bakery Panaderia y Pasteleria de San Juan has been making quesadillas and other sweet treats since 1935. You’ll see quesadillas served at breakfast and as a dessert.The main ingredients are eggs, cream cheese, flour, and sugar.

7) Orejas

You’ll find orejas in bakeries (panaderia/pasteleria) all over the country. These are a mildly sweet pastry often covered in icing sugar or dipped in chocolate. The name means ears, but they always looked like hearts. Orejas are delicious on their own but even better with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

8) Morocho

If you’re in the mood for warm, sweet comfort food, look no farther. Morocho is a warm, sweet, milky corn pudding which is served as a drink but eaten with a spoon.

This is one of the most popular street foods served in Ecuador, its main ingredients are milk, corn (morocho – dried cracked corn) cinnamon and sugar. This would is a welcome treat on a cool morning/evening in the Andes.

9) Come y Bebe

Are you a fruit salad lover? If so this fresh fruit salad drink may be one of the best Ecuador desserts for you. It’s a mix of tropical fruit, usually, banana, papaya, and pineapple served in orange juice.

Come y bebe is served chilled and sometimes topped with whipped cream. The name means eat and drink. This is another popular street food in Ecuador. It’s often served in a clear plastic glass with a plastic spoon.

10) Arroz con leche

This is another popular comfort food. It’s a sweet rice pudding which is served warm with cinnamon and raisins. The name means rice with milk, and its main ingredients are rice, milk, cinnamon, and sugar.

You’ll find this on the menu at restaurants, and may be offered it while dining at a friends home as it is a popular homemade dessert.

11) Flan de piña

Flan de piña is a popular dessert in Ecuador, especially on the coast.

This is like a custard served with a caramel sauce. Its main ingredients are eggs, milk, sugar, and pineapple juice. The name means pineapple fan.

12) Milhoja

Milhoja is a delicious mildly sweet pastry dessert. It’s served in restaurants and found in bakeries (panaderia/pasteleria) all over the country.

This pastry consists of layers and layers of lite, flaky pastry. There is usually dulce de leche (number 5 on our Ecuador desserts list) between the layers and a sprinkle of icing sugar on the top.

The name means a thousand leaves and is reflected in the layers and layers of thin pastry making up this dessert.

Ecuador Desserts and You

Ecuador is famous for its delicious traditional food. If you would like to try making these desserts at home a quick google search will help you find recipes.

Have you tried any of these Ecuador desserts? Which was your favorite? Please share with us by commenting on this post.