🏠 Home > 🗺️ Recipes > 🍨 Desserts > 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic Desserts > 🍨 1.Habichuelas con Dulce (Sweet Cream of Beans) , 2.Majarete (Creamy Dominican Corn Pudding) , 3.Dulce de Coco (Sweet Dominican Coconut Dessert)

🍨 Sweet Dominican Treats You’ll Love Making at Home

Dominican desserts are more than just sugary treats—they’re warm, nostalgic, and deeply tied to family traditions. These are the desserts that show up at every celebration, holiday, Sunday lunch, birthday gathering, and neighborhood party. They feel familiar even if you’ve never been to the Dominican Republic, because they’re built around flavors that are comforting, cozy, and universal.

In this article, we’re exploring three beloved Dominican dessert recipes that you can easily make at home. Each one carries a bit of Dominican culture, a bit of history, and a whole lot of sweetness. Whether you’re a beginner or a confident baker, these desserts are simple, satisfying, and perfect for sharing with the people you care about.

Let’s jump into the Dominican world of creamy bowls, soft puddings, and irresistible sweets.

🍮 Introduction: Dominican Desserts Loved Around the World

Dominican desserts are unique. They’re familiar yet different, simple yet rich in flavor. What makes them truly special is how deeply they’re woven into the country’s food culture. Many Dominican desserts are shaped by centuries of influences—from African and Taino roots to Spanish and Caribbean inspirations. What emerged is a dessert tradition that’s colorful, hearty, and comforting.

As more people travel to the Dominican Republic for its beaches, music, culture, and hospitality, they’re bringing a love of Dominican food back home. This has helped Dominican desserts gain global popularity, especially dishes like habichuelas con dulce, dulce de leche cortado, and majarete.

In this guide, we’ll walk through three famous Dominican desserts:

🏆 Recipe 1: Habichuelas con Dulce – Dominican Sweet Cream of Beans

🏆 Recipe 2: Majarete – Creamy Dominican Corn Pudding

🏆 Recipe 3: Dulce de Coco – Dominican Coconut Dessert

Each dessert has its own story, charm, and irresistible texture.

🍛 Recipe 1: Habichuelas con Dulce (Sweet Cream of Beans)

✨ About this Recipe

If you’ve never had sweet beans before, you’re in for a surprise! Habichuelas con Dulce is one of the Dominican Republic’s most iconic desserts—a creamy, spiced sweet-bean pudding enjoyed especially during Holy Week, but also made year-round in many homes.

The dish might sound unusual to newcomers, but once you taste it, everything makes sense. It’s silky, comforting, lightly spiced, and beautifully sweet. The mix of beans, coconut milk, spices, and rich texture creates a dessert unlike anything else in the world.

It’s a Dominican treasure—cozy, hearty, and deeply tied to family traditions.

🧂 Ingredients & Measurements

• 2 cups red kidney beans, cooked and softened

• 2 cups coconut milk

• 1 cup evaporated milk

• 1 cup whole milk

• 1 cup sugar, or to taste

• 1 stick cinnamon

• 4–6 cloves

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup sweet potato, peeled and diced

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup raisins (optional)

• 8–10 milk cookies or small crackers (for serving)

🍲 Step-by-Step Instructions

1.Blend the cooked beans with a bit of water or milk until smooth.

2.Strain the mixture to achieve a silky texture.

3.In a large pot, combine bean puree, coconut milk, whole milk, and evaporated milk.

4.Add cinnamon stick, cloves, salt, and sugar.

5.Stir over medium heat until everything is well combined.

6.Add diced sweet potato and continue cooking until tender.

7.Add raisins (optional) and vanilla extract.

8.Simmer gently for about 20–30 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking.

9.Remove spices before serving.

10.Serve warm or chilled, topped with milk cookies or crackers.

💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t skip straining the beans—the texture is key.

• Stir often to prevent the milk and beans from sticking to the bottom.

• Adjust sweetness gradually—depending on your beans and milk, you may need more or less.

• Cook the sweet potatoes until perfectly soft for extra creaminess.

• For a smoother texture, blend again halfway through cooking.

❓ FAQ

Q1: Can I make it without sweet potato?

Yes, but sweet potato adds body and creaminess.

Q2: How long does it last in the fridge?

Up to 4–5 days when stored in an airtight container.

Q3: Can I use canned beans?

Absolutely—just rinse well before blending.

🧾 Summary

Habichuelas con Dulce is Dominican comfort in a bowl—creamy, warm, and full of spice. It’s a dessert that surprises newcomers while feeling nostalgic to Dominicans around the world.

🌽 Recipe 2: Majarete (Creamy Dominican Corn Pudding)

✨ About this Recipe

Majarete is a traditional Dominican dessert made from corn, milk, cinnamon, and sugar. It’s creamy, lightly sweet, and wonderfully aromatic. The texture falls somewhere between pudding and custard—soft, smooth, and perfect for warm weather.

This dessert has deep roots in the Caribbean, where corn has always been an essential ingredient. Majarete is beloved for its simplicity. It requires just a few ingredients but delivers a flavor that feels both rustic and refined.

Whether you’re craving something light or need a refreshing dessert to serve at a family gathering, majarete is always a good idea.

🥄 Ingredients & Measurements

• 2 cups corn kernels, fresh or canned

• 2 cups whole milk

• 1 cup coconut milk

• ½–1 cup sugar, depending on sweetness preference

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water

• 1 stick cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• A pinch of salt

🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions

1.Blend corn kernels with whole milk until smooth.

2.Strain the mixture to remove fibrous pieces.

3.In a pot, combine strained mixture with coconut milk, cinnamon stick, sugar, and salt.

4.Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

5.Add dissolved cornstarch and stir continuously to avoid lumps.

6.Continue cooking until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency.

7.Remove cinnamon stick and stir in vanilla extract.

8.Cool slightly before serving.

9.Sprinkle nutmeg on top if desired.

💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

• Always strain the corn mixture for smoothness.

• Add cornstarch gradually and stir non-stop.

• Don’t let the mixture boil too hard—gentle heat is best.

• Adjust sweetness at the end; the flavor changes as it cools.

Serve warm or cold, depending on your preference.

❓ FAQ

Q1: Can I use cornmeal instead of fresh corn?

Yes, but fresh or canned corn gives a better flavor.

Q2: Why is my majarete too runny?

Cook it a bit longer or increase the cornstarch slightly.

Q3: How long does it keep?

It stays fresh in the refrigerator for about 3 days.

🧾 Summary

Majarete is classic Dominican simplicity—creamy, soft, and subtly sweet with natural corn flavor. It’s refreshing, comforting, and easy to prepare.

🥥 Recipe 3: Dulce de Coco (Sweet Dominican Coconut Dessert)

✨ About this Recipe

Dulce de coco is a rich Dominican dessert made with freshly grated coconut, milk, and sugar. It’s thick, sweet, fragrant, and full of tropical charm. If you love coconut-based desserts, this one will quickly become your favorite.

You can find dulce de coco almost anywhere in the Dominican Republic—in homes, bakeries, beach towns, and even roadside stands. It’s a dessert that highlights the island’s natural ingredients and Caribbean soul.

🌴 Ingredients & Measurements

• 2 cups grated fresh coconut

• 1 cup whole milk

• 1½ cups coconut milk

• 1 cup sugar, or as needed

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• A pinch of salt

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

🍯 Step-by-Step Instructions

1.Combine grated coconut, whole milk, and coconut milk in a pot.

2.Cook over medium heat, stirring regularly.

3.Add sugar and continue mixing.

4.Allow mixture to thicken slowly; this may take 20–30 minutes.

5.Add vanilla extract and optional cinnamon.

6.Cook until it reaches a jam-like consistency.

7.Remove from heat and cool.

8.Serve warm, chilled, or spread over bread.

💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

• Stir frequently—coconut burns easily.

• Use fresh coconut for better texture and aroma.

• Don’t rush the cooking; slow thickening creates deeper flavor.

• Adjust sugar based on how sweet your coconut is.

• Add a pinch of salt—it balances the sweetness beautifully.

❓ FAQ

Q1: Can I use desiccated coconut?

Yes, but hydrate it first with warm water for a softer texture.

Q2: Why is my dulce de coco too dry?

Cook on lower heat and add a bit more milk to loosen it.

Q3: Can I store it?

Yes, it lasts about 5 days in the refrigerator.

🧾 Summary

Dulce de coco is tropical sweetness in its purest form—creamy, aromatic, and deeply satisfying. It’s easy to make and always a crowd favorite.

🌺 Final Thoughts

Dominican desserts may look simple, but they’re full of heart, history, and a sense of home. You don’t need advanced baking skills or fancy equipment—just everyday ingredients and a little patience.

Try making these recipes one at a time:

• Habichuelas con Dulce for something comforting and unique

• Majarete for a smooth, summery treat

• Dulce de Coco for rich tropical sweetness

Each has its own personality and charm, and each one is worth sharing with family and friends.

Have fun experimenting, tasting, and adjusting flavors to suit your style. And when you're ready, try creating all three for a true Dominican dessert experience!

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