MIRA: Rice with chicken featuring a Chiclayano twist and the essential Loche squash
Here are 5 versions of classic Peruvian desserts that will surprise you, along with the places that offer them:
1. Pecan Cake with Pumpkin and Strained Bean Filling
Michelle Gamardo and Felipe Garzón, the creators of Pregón de las Once, present a unique way to enjoy traditional colado beans. This sweet shop is celebrated for reviving the classics of Peruvian desserts. Through their travels across the country, these young bakers discover recipes and techniques that inspire original creations, such as this cake, which is elegantly covered in chocolate.
“Our project aims to highlight traditional Peruvian sweets. We are currently developing a new line of cakes that incorporates flavors evoking memory and heritage. We had been working on a flavor that included pumpkin, pecans, and spices, but we wanted an intriguing filling, so we chose strained fléjol to enhance its appearance,” explains Felipe Garzón.
Cake filled with strained beans. (Photo: Pregón de las Once/ Diffusion)
The menu also features delicacies such as ranfañote, chumbeque, muyuchi, and cakes made with maca and coca. The cake with strained beans is priced at S/46.
You can place orders via Instagram at @pregondelasonce or call 982056330.
2. Donut with Mixed Drink
At La Teoría de los 6 café, the bakery is renowned for its creativity. Combining imagination with tradition allows for brilliant creations, such as the donut filled with rice pudding and purple mazamorra, which has become a menu staple. It is served with a vanilla and cinnamon glaze.
In July, they will also introduce the Doña Pepa éclair, a delightful treat filled with chocolate pastry cream and topped with a handcrafted Doña Pepa bar to add a Peruvian flair.
Donut filled with purple mazamorra and rice pudding. (Photo: The theory of the 6 coffees/ Diffusion)
You can find them at Mendiburu 890, Miraflores; and Camelias 763, San Isidro.
Also available on Instagram at @teoriadelos6cafes.
3. Picarones
Contrasts attract. The delightful mix of cold and hot can be surprisingly enjoyable. This is the experience at La Picaronería, a venue specializing in local snacks, which offers Picarelados—traditional picarones served with ice cream and generous amounts of honey.
“We prepare everything on-site. The chancaca ice cream and melted cheese are poured over the picarones for a perfect blend with the various honeys we have: traditional, mango, passion fruit, and strawberry,” the representatives of La Picaronería explain.
Picarones with ice cream from La Picaronería. (Photo: La Picaronería/ Diffusion)
You can find them at Calle Manco Capac 513, Miraflores. Orders can be placed at 948779737 and through Rappi and PedidosYa.
4. Suspiro Ice Cream
The dessert transformed into a popsicle is the hallmark of Zacateca, a go-to place for those seeking a sweet treat. Their menu also features Peruvian traditions, such as Lima-style suspiro ice creams, available as popsicles or in a shareable liter version.
Shoulder of pork filled with suspiro a la limeña (Lima style pork shoulder). (Photo: Zacateca/ Diffusion)
/ ANDRES ALFARO
You can find them at Av. Villaran 997, Surquillo; Av. Manuel Villaran 997, Surquillo; Doña Rosa Street I06, Surco; and Jr. Centenario I47, Barranco. Check out all their locations on their Instagram @zacateca_paletas.
5. Red and White Box
At Fausta, Mila Huamán has made “culinary recycling” her signature, rescuing traditional desserts from obscurity such as stuffed lemons from Ica, prestiños from Huánuco, and guargüeros from Moquegua while adding innovations like suspiro de limeña cookies and pisco sour macaroons. You can sample a variety of her creations in this special box for the national holiday.
“At Fausta, we are proud to pay tribute during these Fiestas Patrias to our selfless and creative grandmothers who, since their times, have combined Peruvian cuisine and pastries, continuing the legacy and tradition through generations,” Huamán states.
Various traditional sweets make up Fausta’s Fiestas Patrias box. (Photo: Fausta/ Diffusion)
Orders can be placed at 989496359 and at the store: Jr. Pedro Conde 472, Lince.
MIRA: A Rice with Chicken and the Chiclayano Touch with Loche Squash
MIRA: A rice with chicken and the Chiclayano touch with the essential Loche squash.
Exploring Old Peruvian Desserts: 5 Surprising Versions
These are five versions of old Peruvian desserts that will surprise you and the places that offer them.
1. Pecan Cake with Pumpkin Stuffed with Strained Beans
A very different way of trying the traditional colado beans is what Michelle Gamardo and Felipe Garzón, the creators of Pregón de las Once, propose. This sweet shop is known for revaluing the tradition of Peruvian desserts of yesteryear. Through their travels around the country, these young bakers learn recipes and techniques that inspire them to create original proposals, such as this cake that is served covered in chocolate.
“Our project seeks to highlight the Peruvian sweets of yesteryear. We are currently developing a new line of cakes with all these flavors that seek to connect with memory and tradition. We had already been working on a flavor that had pumpkin, pecans, and spices, but we wanted it with an interesting filling, so we decided to include strained fléjol to complete the look,” says Felipe Garzón.
Cake filled with strained beans. (Photo: Pregón de las Once/ Diffusion)
On the menu, you will also find delicacies such as ranfañote, chumbeque, muyuchi, and cakes with ingredients such as maca and coca. The cake with strained beans costs S/46.
Orders via Instagram at @pregondelasonce or call 982056330.
2. Donut with Mixed Drink
The bakery at La Teoría de los 6 café is known for its ingenuity. When its imagination meets tradition, it produces brilliant creations such as the doughnut filled with rice pudding and purple mazamorra, which has become a must-have on its menu. It is served covered with vanilla and cinnamon glaze.
In July, they will also have the Doña Pepa eclair on their menu, which includes chocolate pastry cream and, to give it a Peruvian touch, is topped with a handmade Doña Pepa bar.
Donut filled with purple mazamorra and rice pudding. (Photo: The theory of the 6 coffees/ Diffusion)
You can find them at Mendiburu 890, Miraflores; and Camelias 763, San Isidro.
Also on Instagram at @teoriadelos6cafes.
3. Picarones with Ice Cream
Extremes attract each other. That’s why the combination of cold and hot can be a pleasant surprise for the palate. That’s what diners at La Picaronería experience, a place specialized in local snacks that offers picarones—traditional Peruvian donuts—served with ice cream and a good dose of honey.
“We make everything on-site. The chancaca ice cream and the frozen cheese are melted on the picarones to achieve a perfect mix with the different honeys we have at home: the traditional one, the mango one, the passion fruit one, and the strawberry one,” explain the spokespersons of La Picaronería.
Picarones with ice cream from La Picaronería. (Photo: La Picaronería/ Diffusion)
You can find them at Calle Manco Capac 513, Miraflores. Orders can be placed at 948779737 and through Rappi and PedidosYa.
4. Lima-Style Sigh Ice Cream
The dessert made into a popsicle is the motto of Zacateca, one of the hot spots for those looking for a sweet dose in their day. The Peruvian tradition has also found a place on their menu. Proof of this is the Lima-style suspiro ice creams, available to order as a popsicle or in a liter version to share with the family or to enjoy little by little.
Shoulder of pork filled with suspiro a la limeña (Lima-style pork shoulder). (Photo: Zacateca/ Diffusion)
You can find them at Av. Villaran 997, Surquillo; and Av. Manuel Villaran 997, Surquillo; Doña Rosa Street I06, Surco; and Jr. Centenario I47, Barranco. Check out all their locations on their Instagram @zacateca_paletas.
5. Red and White Box of Traditional Sweets
At Fausta, Mila Huamán has made “culinary recycling” her hallmark, rescuing traditional desserts from oblivion such as stuffed lemons from Ica, prestiños from Huánuco, or guargüeros from Moquegua. She adds innovations such as suspiro de limeña cookies and pisco sour macaroons. You can try a bit of all her creations in this special box for the national holiday.
“At Fausta, we are happy to pay tribute during these Fiestas Patrias to our selfless and creative grandmothers who, since their time, created and combined Peruvian cuisine and pastries and who for generations were also responsible for continuing the legacy and tradition,” says Huamán.
Various traditional sweets make up Fausta’s Fiestas Patrias box. (Photo: Fausta/ Diffusion)
Orders at 989496359 and in-store at Jr. Pedro Conde 472, Lince.
Benefits of Exploring Peruvian Desserts
Exploring the world of Peruvian desserts is not just about satisfying your sweet tooth; it’s a journey through history and culture. Here are a few benefits:
- Cultural Connection: Trying traditional desserts helps you connect with Peru’s rich culinary heritage.
- Unique Flavors: Many of these desserts incorporate local ingredients that you won’t find elsewhere.
- Support Local Businesses: Enjoying these desserts often means supporting small, local businesses dedicated to preserving traditional recipes.
Practical Tips for Enjoying Peruvian Desserts
If you’re eager to explore the delightful world of Peruvian desserts, consider these practical tips:
- Start Small: If you’re new to Peruvian sweets, start with a small variety platter to sample different flavors.
- Pair with a Beverage: Some desserts pair wonderfully with tea or traditional Peruvian drinks like chicha morada.
- Visit Local Markets: Explore local markets or festivals where you can find authentic homemade desserts.
Conclusion
While we are not providing a conclusion here, exploring these delightful desserts from the heart of Peru will undoubtedly enhance your culinary experiences and provide a delicious glimpse into the country’s rich traditions.