Mamallena is a simple Panamanian bread pudding made with bread, sugar, eggs, butter, salt, vanilla extract, and raisins. All the ingredients are combined, poured into a glass mold, then baked until slightly brown. In Panama, mamallena means stuffed mama, probably denoting the dense and satisfying nature of this dessert.

This bread pudding is nothing like other bread puddings because its texture is much more spongier and mushier instead of bready. The dessert is sold in many local bakeries and it is usually served with a glass of milk.