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This traditional Brazilian dessert is a type of creamy, caramel-coated custard flan. Although there are as many variations on the dessert as there are families in Brazil (and throughout Latin America), the standard ingredients of pudim de leite condensado include sweetened condensed milk, regular whole milk, eggs, and sugar.
To make the custard, the condensed milk mixture is typically poured into round molds or cake pans that have been coated with a simple caramel sauce, before it is baked in a water bath until it’s become firm and set. According to popular belief, this simple dessert is thought to have evolved from an old Portuguese dish known as pudim de priscos, an invention that has been attributed to a certain Portuguese priest named Manuel Joaquim Machado, also known as Father Priscos.
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It is said that if Brazil had to declare a national dessert, it would most likely be mousse de maracujá, or passion fruit mousse. The dessert consists of fresh passion fruit, sweetened milk, and creme de leite, a product similar to evaporated milk.
Since it is quick and easy to prepare mousse de maracujá, it is a staple of numerous Brazilian bakeries, restaurants, and dinner parties. It is recommended to serve the mousse in parfait glasses and top it with whipped cream as the best way to enjoy its decadent, tropical flavors.
MOST ICONIC Mousse de maracujá
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Pavé is a popular Brazilian layered dessert that is similar to tiramisu and does not need baking, and consists of a combination of ladyfinger biscuits, cream, eggs, condensed milk, and chocolate. It is a traditional dessert in Brazil, where every household has its own variation, so there are recipes for strawberry, pineapple, white chocolate, coconut, and peanut pavé, amongst others.
The only important thing is to serve this dessert cold and enjoy its unique flavors, textures, and varieties.
MOST ICONIC Pavê
Doce de leite is a traditional Latin American sweet made from milk and sugar, similar to caramel but creamier and thicker. The mixture is simmered until it thickens and develops a rich, golden color. It can be spread on bread, used as a filling for cakes and pastries, or enjoyed on its own.
Additionally, doce de leite can be flavored with grated coconut, cinnamon, and cocoa powder, which are added in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Doce de leite is widely popular in Brazil, while in Argentina and Uruguay, it is called the dulce de leche.
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Brigadeiro is a decadent Brazilian dessert made by heating three key ingredients together - unsalted butter, cocoa powder, and condensed milk, which are then rolled into a small ball, similar in shape to a truffle. First made in the 1940s, when fruit and sweets were in short supply, brigadeiro was born out of creativity with just a few ingredients.
According to one legend, Brigadeir Eduardo Gomes was running for presidency in 1945 with a slogan that said "Vote for Brigadeir, he's handsome and single". The slogan won over a lot of girls who baked and sold the sweets in order to raise funds for Brigadeir's campaign.
MOST ICONIC Brigadeiro
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Bombocado is a Brazilian dessert made with shredded parmesan, grated coconut, flour, milk, butter, eggs, and sugar. The concoction is baked, chilled, then cut into wedges. This dessert is often prepared for the Independence Day, and it is recommended to serve it with a dollop of whipped cream, and a mug of Brazilian coffee on the side.
The name bombocado can be translated as a good bite.
Bolo de brigadeiro is a traditional cake that's a staple at birthday parties. The cake consists of three layers of tender and moist crumb, chocolate cake, and the fudgy brigadeiro filling and frosting that's made with a combination of condensed milk, table cream, margarine, chocolate powder, full fat milk, and cornstarch.
The base layer is made with sugar, butter, oil, eggs, vanilla, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and whole milk. Once assembled and frosted, this cake is decorated with chocolate sprinkles on all sides. Some people also like to decorate this decadent chocolate cake with a few brigadeiro balls on top.
MOST ICONIC Bolo de brigadeiro
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Beijinhos, literally translated to little kisses, are popular Brazilian treats made from sweetened condensed milk, butter, and coconut. Rolled into tiny balls, topped with some more shredded coconut and a clove on top, beijinhos are traditionally served at children's birthday parties, but loved by young and old alike.
Beijinho is the coconut version of the popular Brazilian dessert brigadeiro, made with cocoa powder instead of coconut. The sweet treats can also be used as a filling for dried plums, in which case the dessert is called olho-de-sogra, literally translated to mother-in-law's eyes.
MOST ICONIC Beijinho
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Bolo de rolo is a traditional dessert with origins in the state of Pernambuco. This rolled guava cake is similar to a jelly roll cake or a Swiss roll; however, its preparation is much more complicated. It incorporates many delicate and thin sponge layers which are connected to form a giant sheet, spread with a layer of sweet guava jam, then rolled into a log.
The most elaborate varieties of bolo de rolo can have up to twenty layers of sponge, which results in an unusual decorative spiral. Because of the intricate and time-consuming preparation, it is rarely made at home and can usually be found in pastry shops and supermarkets around Brazil.
MOST ICONIC Bolo de rolo
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Açaí na tigela is a versatile Brazilian dessert made with mashed açaí berries, usually served in a bowl, topped with banana and granola, and combined with other fruits and guaraná syrup. The açaí palm thrives throughout the Amazonian basin, and its berries are characterized by an earthy flavor and dense texture.
The dessert can be found throughout Brazil, especially along the northeastern coast, where it's sold in most kiosks and juice bars. Açaí bowl was first popularized during the 1980s by a Brazilian Jujitsu founder named Carlos Gracie. As time went by, Brazilian surfers took part in the trend in the 1990s, and by the 2000s, the refreshing, flavorful, and healthy açaí bowl spread in popularity outside of Brazil, most notably in Hawaii and Southern California, becoming a staple of the surfers' diet.
MOST ICONIC Açaí na tigela
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TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 31 Brazilian Desserts” list until March 21, 2025, 3,643 ratings were recorded, of which 2,827 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.