Caribbean islands have everything you would dream of in an ideal vacation. It is a brilliant congregation of diverse cultures, delicious cuisine, a variety of cocktails, and picturesque scenery. One can also engage in adventurous activities like diving and snorkeling in the beautiful Mediterranean sea. Nothing can beat the feeling of having an amazing cocktail with mouth-watering food lying on the beaches of one of the resorts in the Caribbean. Chilled boozy cocktails are perfect for tackling the warm weather.
The Caribbean is lesser known for its variety in desserts and everyone appreciates a sweet closing to their meal with some fancy desserts. So, let’s jump straight into it. Let us talk about ‘5 mouth-watering desserts from the Land of Caribbean’ which everyone can try at home to get in the Caribbean vibes. (The detailed recipes of these non-alcoholic recipes are at the end).
1. Pudin de Pan
It’s not one of the fanciest desserts but a classic. It is a Puerto Rican bread pudding. This pudding is an amazing blend of spices and dry fruits combined and baked to perfection. You can play around with different types of dry fruits ranging from cranberries to blueberries to suit your taste palette. Make this tasty dessert in an hour and serve it along with ice cream or whipped cream.
2. Belizean Fudge
Now, this is one of the desserts which can satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth and all that sugar craving. It is a form of gooey cookies made from condensed milk, sugar, butter, dry fruits and everyone’s favourite; coconut! It is comparatively an easier dessert to make. You can cook these in around 30 minutes and get the feel of Caribbean islands right in your mouth.
3. Tamarind Balls
Not many people have tried tamarind balls in their lives, but it is surely an interesting and flavourful dessert to have. The sweet and sour combination will leave your tastebuds confused but you won’t be able to stop yourself from having more than just one of these delicious tamarind flavoured balls. These require a lot less time, effort and simpler ingredients as well.
4. Besitos de Coco
Another dessert coming from Peurto Rico, these are bite-sized coconut macaroons. These are a real treat for coconut lovers. All you need to make these amazing macaroons are 3 ingredients; Coconut, Condensed Milk and Vanilla Extract. It is a brilliant output of the natural flavour of coconut combined with the added sweetness of condensed milk sparked up by a few drops of vanilla. In about 25 minutes, you can have freshly made coconut macaroons right from the Caribbean on your dining table.
5. Flan de Queso
This is surely the fanciest one on the list, it is also known as Cream cheese flan. It is a smooth cream cheese custard with a sweet caramel topping. It is a delicate dessert prepared by baking a combination of cream cheese, condensed milk, and other sweet ingredients. Master this cheese flan to treat yourself with the best Caribbean flavors.
The detailed recipes of these Five delectable desserts are mentioned below henceforth
1. Pudin de Pan
Ingredients:
1/4 pound stale bread
2 cups hot milk
1/2 cup raisins
4 1/2 teaspoons flour
2 large eggs (beaten)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch salt
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a square baking pan (9 by 9 inch) and set aside.
- Remove and discard crusts from the bread. Cut remaining bread into cubes.
- In a mixing bowl, soak bread cubes in the hot milk for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Mix the soaked cubes well and then strain off excess milk.
- Drench the raisins in the flour and then fold into the bread and milk mix.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl. Mix well.
- Pour the bread mix into the greased baking pan.
- Bake uncovered for 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the centre comes out clean. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream as per your choice.
2. Belizean Fudge
Ingredients:
14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
1 cup sugar
¼ cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
¼ cup raisins, peanuts or shredded coconut (optional)
Steps:
- Grease a cookie sheet with butter and set it aside.
- Combine all ingredients in a nonstick saucepan and cook on medium, stirring constantly until it starts to bubble.
- Continue cooking for approximately 12 to 15 minutes, stirring constantly until medium brown.
- Add raisins, nuts, or shredded coconut if desired.
- The mixture is ready when it pulls away from the sides of the saucepan.
- Pour onto the cookie sheet and cool before cutting into 2-inch squares. Store in an airtight container.
3. Tamarind Balls
Ingredients:
1 and 1/4 cups sugar
7 to 8 ounce package tamarind paste
About 1 tablespoon green seasoning (optional)
Pinch salt
Steps:
- Put 1/4 cup sugar on a shallow plate.
- In a bowl, combine the tamarind, seasoning, salt, and remaining sugar.
- Using your hands, mix the ingredients.
- Divide the tamarind mixture into bite-size portions, and shape it into balls.
- Add the tamarind balls to the sugar, and roll to coat the sugar evenly.
4. Besitos de Coco
Ingredients:
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
14 ounces shredded Coconut Flakes (5 1/2 cups)
2 teaspoon of Vanilla extract
1 dash of Almond extract (Optional)
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 325° F
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and blend well
- Drop by teaspoonfuls to the baking sheets
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes (until lightly browned around the edges)
- Remove to a cooling rack to cool and Enjoy
5. Flan de Queso
Ingredients:
1 (14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 fluid ounce) can of evaporated milk
6 eggs
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
⅓ cup 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup white sugar
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Fill a large oven-safe pot with water to 1 inch; bring to a boil.
- Place sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, eggs, cream cheese, milk, and vanilla extract in a blender; blend until smooth.
- Place sugar in an even layer in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until edges start to brown, about 1 minute; drag sugar into the centre with a spatula once the edges start to brown.
- Continue cooking, stirring from time to time, until caramel is an even golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Pour caramel into a 9-inch flan mould or baking pan and swirl so that caramel reaches 1 inch up the sides. Pour the condensed milk mixture on top. Place mould in the pot of boiling water.
- Bake flan in the preheated oven until a damp table knife inserted into the centre comes out clean
- Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Chill flan in the refrigerator until firm, approx 2 to 3 hours
- Invert onto a serving plate so that caramel is on top.