Chileans and Ecuadorians love their manjar, which resembles dulce de leche sans vanilla, while Peruvians and Bolivians call it manjar blanco and retain the vanilla. Colombia and Venezuela share similar arequipe habits, and typically eat their caramel with obleas (thin wafers), but Venezuelans also have a variation called dulce de leche cortada: essentially arequipe with lemon juice, generally cooled until dry and sturdy.
Each region’s unique specialties reflect the area’s history. Brazil’s native fruit and coconut-laden sweets pop up in preparations influenced by Portuguese and African traditions. In Argentina and Uruguay, inspiration comes by way of Italy, and you’ll spy gelato on just about every corner. Peru’s desserts echo traditions from all over the map: the Incan legacy, Spanish colonists, and more recent Chinese and Japanese immigration.
If you travel to South America, the array of unusual desserts can be daunting…but delicious. Here are a few iconic sweets to add to your must-eat list.
