Top 30 Argentina Desserts That You Will Surely Love

Argentinian desserts are iconic thanks to the creamy, mouthwatering dulce de leche. Have you heard of these? Here is a selection of Argentina desserts and sweets to try while visiting.

Desserts in Argentina also include various sweet pastries (facturas) and emphasize seasonal fruits, nuts, and seeds. 

Italian and Spanish-inspired desserts came with the immigrants decades ago and now shaped modern Argentinian sweets. Different regions within the country also have their traditional desserts. A good example is Calafate berry treats from the south and the nutty Turrón de Nuez (nougat) from the northwest. 

Top 30 Desserts in Argentina 

1. Dulce de Leche

Known as the national sweet of Argentina, dulce de leche is an addictive, jam-like caramel milk cream. 

Dulce de leche is a staple in Argentine bakeries and households. You can eat it as is, spread it on toast, or use it as a filling for cakes and other treats. 

2. Flan Mixto (Dulce de Leche-flavored Flan)

Flan mixto is a leveled-up custard flan served with dulce de leche and whipped cream. Get the best flan mixto at the lowkey Parrilla Peña (in Buenos Aires). 

3. Helado (Ice Cream)

The helado (ice cream) craze in Argentina came over a century ago and has remained a staple dessert in the country. Today, you’ll find helados in the busiest streets of Buenos Aires to the quietest neighborhoods of Southern Argentina. 

Dulce de leche-flavored ice cream is always a hit and is sold by big ice cream parlor chains like Saverio, Cadore, and Freddo. Another famous flavor locals love is the Almendrado, ice cream served with melted chocolate and toasted almonds. 

4. Torta Rogel (Rogel Cake)

Forget about your diet when you see this decadent cake tower. Torta Rogel is a layered cake that alternates crispy pastry layers with dulce de leche. Some versions top the cake off with whipped cream or meringue.

Dos Escudos is famous for its torta Rogel in and around Buenos Aires, but you can also find this cake in small bakeries and cafes. 

5. Medialunas (Argentinian Croissant)

The syrup-drenched medialunas is technically a pastry, but people eat it as a dessert. The crescent-shaped medialunas, which translates to half moon, is a classic croissant with a sweet aftertaste.

Atelier Fuerza in Arribeños Buenos Aires bakes fresh medialunas every morning. 

6. Pastelitos (Argentinian Puff Pastry with Sweet Fillings)

Like Medialunas, Pastelitos is a traditional breakfast pastry enjoyed with coffee or mate. 

Pastelitos are sweet puff pastries with either quince paste (thick jelly made from a quince fruit’s pulp) or dulce de batata (jelly-like candy made from pureed sweet potatoes).

7. Alfajores (Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies)

Alfajores is another traditional Argentine dessert or snack. It is made by sandwiching cookies with dulce de leche filling. The alfajores are then coated in either powdered sugar or melted chocolate. 

The most famous alfajores are found at Cachafaz, but even food markets have these delectable sweets in food stalls. 

8. Budín de Pan (Bread Pudding)

Budín de Pan is Argentina’s version of bread pudding. It looks like Flan Mixto but is prepared like traditional pudding. 

Budín de Pan uses old bread to make sweet jelly-like pudding. Once baked and cooled, caramel sauce is drizzled all over the pudding. 

9. Queso y Dulce (Postre Vigilante)

Queso y Dulce is a classic Argentine treat mixing cheese with sweet preserves like quince or guava. It’s loved for its unique blend of sweet and savory flavors. The tangy cheese and sweet preserves create a delightful contrast, making it a satisfying and indulgent dessert. 

Enjoy it alone or as a perfect match with fruit salad or a cup of coffee.

10. Pastafrola or Pasta Frola (Quince Pie)

Originating from Italy, pastafrola is a sweet tart made with a crumbly pastry crust. The pie-like dessert is filled with dulce de leche, quince cheese, or jam. 

If you visit Buenos Aires, get a slice of pastafrola at Confitería La Pasta Frola.

11. Panqueque de Manzanas Caramelizadas (Caramelized Apple Crepe)

Argentinian desserts have an entire category of panqueques (crepes). 

Panqueque de Manzanas Caramelizadas is an underrated dessert. It is made from ripe red apples, caramelized to perfection in sugar and butter, then served on crepes. 

12. Frutillas con Crema (Strawberries & Cream) 

Frutillas con crema, eaten cold like ice cream, is one of Argentina’s summer dessert staples. 

13. Copa Don Pedro (Whiskey-infused Ice Cream) 

If you’re not a fan of fruity desserts but love liquor-flavored ones, then you’ll probably enjoy Copa Don Pedro. This Argentinian ice cream dessert is topped with whiskey and crushed walnuts.

14. Torta de Ricota (Ricotta Cake)

Torta de Ricota is a cheesecake with a buttery crust, creamy ricotta filling, and powdered sugar dust. GINO “El Capo de la Torta de Ricotta” brought this Argentine dessert to the map.

15. Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)

Sometimes, the simplest Argentine desserts are the most memorable. Arroz con Leche (milky rice pudding) is a staple comfort food in Argentina, either hot or cold. 

Arroz con Leche is also paired with raisins, nutmeg/cinnamon, maple syrup, or some kind of liquor (rum, brandy, or cognac). 

16. Macedonia de Frutas (Fruit Salad)

Macedonia de Frutas is a refreshing summer dessert in Argentina. Locals eat a bowl of the freshest fruits like cherries, cantaloupes, strawberries, and peaches as an appetizer, snack, or dessert. 

Often homemade, but restaurants also serve Macedonia de Frutas with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream. 

17. Chocotorta (Chocolate Cake)

The go-to birthday cake in Argentina, chocotorta (chocolate cake), isn’t just any ordinary chocolate cake. 

The “cake” is dozens of crumbled chocolate cookies dipped in either liquor or brewed coffee. The cookie-crumble layer is then alternated with layers of dulce de leche and queso crema (a variety of cream cheese). 

18. Argentine Pionono (Roll Cake)

In Argentina, pionono (rolled cake) is used in savory dishes or desserts. Both versions are made with a thin, soft, sweetened sponge cake. 

Once baked and cooled, a spread of jam, dulce de leche with whipped cream, meat-veggie combo, and other fillings cover one side of the cake. The cake is then rolled to make a visually appealing log-shaped cake. Pionono variety is often topped with powdered sugar. 

You can find piononos at any traditional panaderias or confiterias. 

19. Palmeritas (Palmier Cookie)

Many sweet pastries in Argentina have distinct shapes. A good example is Palmeritas (palmier cookies), molded into palm-like or heart shapes. 

Palmeritas are a type of sugar-coated, layered puff pastry. They’re sold in many French bakeries in Buenos Aires. 

20. Dulce de Membrillo (Quince Paste)

Dulce de Membrillo is a sweet, tart quince paste made from lemon juice, sugar, and quince fruit. 

The traditional delicacy is eaten as is or used in many Argentinean desserts (such as Queso y Dulce, Pastelitos de Membrillo, Torta de Membrillo, and Alfajores de Membrillo).

21. Tortas Fritas (Fried Cake)

Tortas fritas (deep-fried cake or pie) is a popular Argentinian street food dessert or snack. They are staple at food markets around the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires.

Tortas fritas is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The basic variety is covered in white sugar, while special versions can have toppings like dulce de leche and other jams. Some are even cooked with apples (apple tortas fritas).

22. Conitos de Dulce de Leche (Dulce de Leche Cones)

Of all the dulce de leche-based Argentine desserts, Conitos de Dulce de Leche is one you cannot say “no” to. 

These tiny dulce de leche cones are made from a chocolate shortbread cookie crust, piled with a dollop of dulce de leche, then covered in dark chocolate to create a Kisses-like bite-sized dessert. 

23. Postre Balcarce (Balcarce Cake)

The creator of this classic Argentinian cake originally called it “Imperial Dessert.” When the recipe was sold to a Mar de Plata baker, it was renamed “Balcarce cake” in honor of the creator’s birthplace (Balcarce, Buenos Aires). The cake is made of a tasty combination of sponge, dulce de leche, and meringue. 

Today, Balcarce cakes are available everywhere, but the treats made in Balcarce remain the best versions of this. 

24. Panqueques con Dulce de Leche (Dulce de Leche Crepe)

Dulce de leche crepes is another simple way to enjoy dulce de leche. 

Whether you eat these dulce de leche-filled crepes at a fancy restaurant or Argentine local eateries doesn’t matter. These crepes are always to die for!

25. Coquitos (Coconut Macaroons)

Coquitos (coconut macaroons) are based on the popular, eggnog-like, coconut-based cocktail traditionally prepared during Christmas.

The cone-shaped dessert has a crunchy bite but a super-soft inside texture. Aside from the syrup coquitos are drenched in, this chewy treat also uses coconuts, spices, and rum extract to honor the original coquito drink. 

26. Salame de Chocolate (Chocolate Salami)

Originally from Italy, Salame de Chocolate is a no-bake “chocolate salami” made from broken biscuits, cocoa, and butter. Adult versions add rum or port wine to the batter. 

Salame de Chocolate is baked in a log-shaped pan, making a fun log-shaped, salami-looking treat. I recommend trying salame de chocolate at the Rapanui chocolate shop.

27. Torta de Manzana (Apple Cake)

If you’ve ever tried inverted pineapple cake, torta de manzana is similar, except this cake uses fresh, sliced apples. 

To make torta de manzana, slices of caramelized apples are placed in the bottom of the pan and then filled with cinnamon-flavored batter. Once baked, the apple cake is turned upside down to showcase the side with glazed apples.

28. Dulce de Leche Cheesecake

Dulce de leche is so versatile that it can be incorporated into traditional Argentine sweets and classic and modern international desserts. The cheesecake originates from Ancient Greece in the fifth century before Christ (B.C.) and works exceptionally well with dulce de leche. 

Pair dulce de leche cheesecake and coffee when you dine in at Ninina, Buenos Aires. 

29. Cocadas (Mexican Coconut Candies)

Cocadas are traditional coconut confectionery made with shredded coconut, sugar, macadamia nuts, and a dollop of dulce de leche. It is molded into bars and bite-sized shapes. 

30. Churros 

Yes, churros came from Spain and Portugal, but this doesn’t stop Argentina from loving this fried dough pastry. 

Of course, the Argentine version is filled with dulce de leche. If you’re in Chacarita, the top neighborhood in Buenos Aires for foodies, pass by the Fabrica De Churros Olleros for a memorable snack. 

Frequently Asked Questions – Argentina Desserts 

What Is the Most Popular Dessert in Argentina?

Dulce de leche is the royalty of Argentinian desserts. It is the most popular dessert in the country and is used as the main ingredient for cakes, pastries, and other sweet treats. 

What Is Argentina’s Christmas Dessert?

Pan Dulce (sweet bread) is a cylindrical cake topped with raisins, currants, and other dried fruits. It is traditionally eaten at Christmas and New Year’s and is a common holiday gift. 

What Are Argentine Pastries Called?

Argentine pastries are commonly referred to as “facturas,” a variety of sweet pastries like vigilantes, palmeritas, and medialunas. Facturas are eaten for breakfast, snacks, or tea time. 

Conclusion – Argentina Desserts 

Argentina’s desserts are a tasty mix of flavors that reflect the country’s food traditions. Whether it’s the popular alfajores or the sweet dulce de leche, these treats are a simple yet delightful way to experience the delicious side of Argentina’s culture.

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