5 Must-Try Latin Desserts

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Dec 30, 2015 06:00 AM EST

As the holiday season continues and celebrations mark your calendar, don't miss the chance to be the star of the party, not with your high heels and fab dress, but with some of your delicious Latin desserts. Show off your heritage and baking skills by whipping up these five must-try Latin desserts that will make your family, friends and loved ones wanting more.

1. Empanadas de Cajeta

Who doesn't like empanadas? According to Majuraps, an empanada is essentially a stuffed bread or pastry baked or fried and is prevalent in Latin America and South Europe. This pockets of filled pastry goodness is made by "folding a dough or bread patty around the stuffing."

Different from the common filling, Empanadas de Cajeta features a cajeta filling, a caramel, milky syrup that's packed with nutty flavor. To make Empanadas de Cajeta, the dough is stuffed with generous amounts of cajeta, and then folded and baked until it turns golden, per Community Table. Check the recipe here.

2. Molten Dulce de Leche Cake (Chocolate Volcano)

Gooey, rich and fudgy, this dessert serenades the mouth with layers over layers of caramel and chocolate goodness. As per The Latin Kitchen, the Molten Dulce de Leche Cake originated from Argentina. This classic dessert is quite hard to perfect and will take a number of practices in the kitchen as it requires the cake's sponge cooked while maintaining a molten dulce de leche center that oozes out when cracked open -- heaven!

The Molten Dulce de Leche Cake can be served with fruit slices, ice cream or whipped cream, depending on your preference and taste. Check the recipe here.

3. Pastel Borracho

For those who loves alcohol and dessert, Pastel Borracho, or Colombian-style drunken cake, is the perfect holiday Latin treat for you. This sponge cake, per Community Table, is soaked in rum, creating a super moist yet not soggy cake. Pastel Borracho is usually garnished with some prunes and creme Anglaise, perfect for just about any occasion.

For those who are into baking, you can make your own sponge cake, but store-bought pound cake may also be an alternative. Learn how to make Pastel Borracho on My Colombian Recipes.

4. Postre de Lúcuma

Let's head out to Peru to try some lúcuma, a tropical fruit native in the country. According to Chilean food blogger Pilar Hernandez, lúcuma has a complex flavor that when blended with condensed milk, evaporated milk, yolks and cornstarch, creates a custard-like consistency. Postre de Lúcuma is usually topped with tiny meringues and is served in small cups. Find the recipe here.

5. Mexican Chocolate Brownie and Mint Ice Cream Cake

Tagged as the best summer dessert of 2015, per The Latin Kitchen, this sweet and spicy dessert combines everything that you love (cake and ice cream) into one flavorful treat!

The Mexican Chocolate Brownie and Mint Ice Cream Cake has a sweet and spicy chocolate brownie based then added with layers of rich chocolate ice cream. It is then seasoned with more Mexican chocolate and cinnamon and topped with mint ice cream. Check the recipe here.

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