Cuban Sweets and Pastries
On the tropical island where sugar cane is one of the main commodities along with the rum made of the very same sugar, and where the enormous abundance of tropical fruits make up a great deal of the local diet, it is only natural to expect the richness of dessert cuisine. Pair it with the strong Spanish influence to which Cuba had been exposed for centuries, and you will get the colorful gamut of Cuban desserts, the most notable of which are featured here!
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1. Flan - Authentic Cuban Sweet
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Originated in ancient Rome and later adopted by the Spaniards who then introduced it to Cuba, this initially savory dish has eventually evolved into a sweet, smooth, creamy and fragrant custard dessert 鈥� a blend of caramel, sugar, and vanilla sauce, resting on a soft, spongy base 鈥� something you would definitely want to enjoy after a delightful meal. Egg custard, milk (condensed or evaporated), vanilla extract and sugar are its base ingredients. Cinnamon stick, lemon zest and caramel sauce are often added, for taste, as well. In some recipes, cinnamon is replaced with anise. Sometimes, they also make flan with a coconut, guava or rum raisin topping. Yummi all the same!
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2. Pastelitos de Guayaba - Tempting Guava Pastries
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The undisputed winner of the Cuban breakfast pastry category, these delightful, small and easy-to-make pastries 鈥� sweet or savory 鈥� are just as good fresh from the oven as they are the day after. Most often, Cuban pastelitos appear as the flaky pastry dough glistening with a crisp, sugary glazed, puffy exterior, stuffed with delicious guava jelly 鈥� a combination of guava paste and cream cheese. In some cases, pineapple and/or coconut variations are also possible.
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3. Arroz con Leche - Famous Cuban Rice Pudding
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Another delicacy introduced by the Spaniards to Cuba, to become the essence of the local comfort food, is this sweet and velvety marvel of a rice pudding. Made with rice, milk, sugar and a sprinkling of cinnamon, that agitates your taste buds, this fragrant dessert may also include raisins and a hint of citrus to compliment the sweet creaminess of its liquid sauce. A definite not-to-miss one!
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4. Natilla - Tasty Cinnamon and Vanilla Custard
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Natilla is a type of vanilla pudding made of cornstarch, milk, sugar, lime peel and, of course, vanilla itself. Its creamy custard gel is made with milk and eggs, and is typically accompanied with a rich sprinkle of citrus and cinnamon dust, as a garnish. Unlike English custard, Natilla is a standalone delicasy that does not need the accompaniment of a sponge cake. Wise!
5. Churros - The Irresistible Snack
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Similarly to their Spanish counterparts, Cuban churros are long, thin, crispy sticks of deep-fried dough dusted with sugar powder and consumed dipped into a thick hot chocolate, which is then drunk to the last drop, if there's left any. Unlike Spain, however, where churros are a breakfast snack, in Cuba they are treated merely as a dessert. Churros are easy to make and just as easy to enjoy, an ideal treat for those craving something sweet and fried, all in one.
6. Brazo de Gitano - Mouth-Watering Cake Roll
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Literally translating as "Gypsy's arm", Brazo de Gitano is a rolled sponge cake layered with a jelly filling of one of Cuba鈥檚 most favorite fruits 鈥� guava, topped with shredded coconut and some other candied fruits. While the combination of the light and airy cake and creamy filling make it incredibly satiating, the guava jelly gives it a nice kick.
7. Bu帽uelos de Viento
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These appetizing fritters are the distant cousins of doughnuts. Fried pastry balls made of boiled cassava (yucca) and arum (malanga) mixed with egg yolks, sugar, anise and flour, and then either dusted with sugar powder or covered in whipped cream, or drizzled with either maple or anise syrup or the one made of sugar, cinnamon, lemon and vanilla, Bu帽uelos de Viento are the traditional Christmas treat in Cuba. They are extremely light and crispy, and make a perfect teatime snack to keep one's hunger at bay. Always served warm.
8. Turrones 鈥� Traditional Cuban Nougats
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Another traditional Cuban dessert, imported from Spain, is turron 鈥� the nougat made of nuts, honey, sugar and egg whites. There are several major flavors of turron, such as chocolate, cream-walnut, honey, and fruit. The most popular in Cuba, however, is called turr贸n de man铆 (peanut nougat), of which there are two types: blando 鈥� for which ground peanuts are pressed into bars, mixed with brown sugar; and duro 鈥� coarsely chopped roasted peanuts bound together with caramelized sugar and honey. The sweet and crunchy turron is a healthy and much loved traditional Cuban holiday treat, widely available all over the country in both, snack-size bars and two-pound family loaves.
9. Tocinillo del Cielo - Typically Cuban Dessert
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Often, and erroneously so, referred to as 鈥淭ocino del Cielo,鈥� which means 鈥淏acon from Heaven,鈥� this 鈥渄istant cousin鈥� of flan has no trace of bacon in it whatsoever (nor does it taste or look like bacon for that matter). Its main ingredients are sugar, water, and egg yolks. While the origin of the snack's name remains a mystery, it doesn't cause any detriment to its popularity in Cuba. Eggy in taste and beautifully aerated and tender in texture, Tocinillo del Cielo is sweeter and lighter on the palate than Flan. Its two major flavors 鈥� lemon-citrus and almond 鈥� are equally delicious.
10. Merenguitos 鈥� Easy-to-Make Cuban Merengues
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Whisked eggs and sugar, paired with a cream of tartar, to harden the mixture, plus a few drops of lime or vanilla essence, to enhance the taste, produce the so simple to make, yet so much elegantly looking and crunchy drops of biscuity heaven, a true delight to nibble on, whenever you want. The Cuban Merenguitos resemble lemon pie topping, only drier and puffier, and go extremely well with coffee or tea.
11. Pastel de Queso de Guayaba - Authentic Guava Cheesecake
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In addition to the obligatory cream cheese, sugar and butter 鈥� the key ingredients of any cheesecake, the authentic Cuban guava cheesecake demands the presence of guava 鈥� a delicious fruit with distinct tropical flavor, well-loved in Cuba 鈥� in the form of guava paste and guava marmalade topping. The recipe calls for canned, poached, guava shells to contribute greatly to the blended fruit puree that makes this particular cheesecake stand out in terms of flavor and appearance. The tanginess of guava, complete with the cheesiness of the cake, makes it a unique dessert that is equally refreshing and rich, and will make you feel like it has been the best part of your meal. The coral pink guava cheesecake pairs perfectly well with a cup of strong Cuban coffee.
12. Cake de Ron - A Classic Cuban Christmas Dessert
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One cannot imagine traditional Cuban holiday without a rum cake 鈥� a moist cake baked in either Bundt or ring-shaped pan and boasting a complex Caribbean flavor influenced by lemon zest, vanilla, whipped cream, banana liqueur and, ideally, a generous dollop of dark rum. Courtesy of the classical banana/rum combination, that will tickle your gustatory receptors, a single bite of this delicious cake will see you carried away to the tropics in an instant.
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Walking Tours in Havana, Cuba
Create Your Own Walk in Havana
Creating your own self-guided walk in Havana is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Hemingway's Havana Walking Tour
Ever since Hemingway first visited Cuba in 1928 until his death in 1961, he felt an intense connection with the people and culture of Cuba. Hemingway lived at Hotel Ambos Mundos during the 1930s, and began, wrote, and finished several novels there. Today, you can see some of Hemingway's belongings in Room 511.
Hemingway was a frequent patron at El Floridita, famous for its daiquiris.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Hemingway was a frequent patron at El Floridita, famous for its daiquiris.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
The Spanish founded Havana in 1519. After French pirate Jacques de Sores ransacked the city in 1555, the Castle of the Royal Force was built to protect the city.
Havana became a major stopping point between the newly discovered Americas and ancient Europe. In the 1600s, Havana was a major shipbuilding port.
Old Havana is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic city has five... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Havana became a major stopping point between the newly discovered Americas and ancient Europe. In the 1600s, Havana was a major shipbuilding port.
Old Havana is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic city has five... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Old Palaces Walking Tour
Havana has been the seat of Cuba鈥檚 ruling gentry for centuries. Today, you can walk the streets of Old Havana and explore its palaces to get a glimpse into the city鈥檚 royal past. Although these structures now serve Havana鈥檚 citizens and visitors, they still catch your eye (and your camera lens!) with their architecture and history.
Start your trip with the ornate Presidential Palace,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Start your trip with the ornate Presidential Palace,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles