Latin American Recipes Archives

Simple Chocolate Cake from Brazil: bolo nega maluca

Yes, “bolo nega maluca” literally translates as “cake from the crazy black women”. Presumably because a female slave accidently added cocoa powder to another cake she was making, mumbling something along the way and nobody understood, thus the cake was named that way. Be this as it may, truthful or not, but the cake itself is a one-bowl recipe. It is perfect for feeding a smaller group, for a birthday or similar. If you are short on time, you can do without the soak or topping. Below you will find a smaller version of this cake, I made it in an 18 springform. Normally it is served as a full sheet cake.

23/01/2026

Vori Vori, the Best Soup from Paraguay

Today I am going to introduce you to vori vori or bori bori, this is a soup from Paraguay, which contains small balls made mainly out of cornmeal as its main feature. The name of the soup “vori vori” means “a lot of balls” in the language Guarani. Guarani does something a few languages do, in order to say a word in plural, it is simply repeated. Vori vori has been declared the best soup of the world in 2026 by the Taste Atlas. The soup comes together rather quickly, you will brown chicken first, chop or blitz some veggies you will simmer and then you can boil the soup. It is only for the last ten minutes that you will need to add the cornflour balls to the mix, they get ready quickly. I love this warming soup in winter and can highly recommend making it.

09/01/2026

Savory Pionono from Argentina and Uruguay

Pionono is a savory roll from Argentina or Uruguay and is usually served during the holidays. It is often served as finger food, individual slices are pierced with a toothpick and arranged on a platter to take from. I know that it sounds unusual to fill a sweet roll with something savory. But if you think about it, brioche is also a sweetened bread, which is used for sandwiches and the like. I first was a little hesitant, but once I got used to the idea, I really like this mix of sweet and savory. Since I love sponge, I decided to use my fail-proof recipe, which also works if you are a beginner. I probably could make sponge half asleep by now. Continue Reading…

27/12/2025

Colombian Hot Chocolate with Mozzarella

Yes, you read right, this is Colombian hot chocolate with mozzarella. No, these are not marshmellows, these are cheese cubes. I know that it does sound strange, but bear with me. Think of it like this, cheese, especially mild cheese such as mozzarella, is a dairy product, right? I would say it is similar to heavy cream. If you have no problem putting a bit of heavy cream on your hot chocolate, maybe you can give it a try with mozzarella cubes?

19/12/2025

Ajiaco – Colombian Chicken and Potatoe Stew

Ajiaco, a Colombian chicken and potatoe stew is my absolutely favorite soup or stew from Colombia. It is originally from the capital city Bogotá and is known by its full name “ajiaco bogotano or santafereño”. It is in fact so famous that it is often served during Christmas. If you are interested in Colombian Christmas traditions and recipes, check out this blog article. However, I had not attempted to make this delicious stew because I was under the impression that some important ingredients could not be found in Germany. For example the key herb galinsoga , I had checked everywhere and could not find it. But one reader pointed out to me that you don’t need it fresh, but that you can find it online once dried or that one Latin American store may even have it fresh in Munich. So when I finally got this herb and made the recipe here in Germany, it really tasted almost like in Colombia!

04/12/2025

Torta negra from Colombia and Venezuela

Torta negra from Colombia or Venezuela is the equivalent to German stollen, it is made a few weeks in advance. The cake can also be served fresh, however, it will develop more flavor over time. In Colombia and Venezuela the dried fruit soak in rum or wine for a year! Apparently it is common to use the preparation that was made a year before and immediately make a new batch, which is then going to be used in a year. Crazy, right? I didn’t do that, I soaked the dried fruit for a week and it was just as delicious. Torta negra has similarties with the British fruit cake. It is a heavy batter with dried fruits. However, unlike fruit cake from Britain, this one contains burnt sugar (quemado or dulce de panela), which has a slightly bitter caramel flavor. The dried fruits are local, so you may find mango, pineapple, and papaya. In addition, chopped nuts are a must. But just like British fruit cake, it is also soaked in alcohol, traditionally rum or wine, but you may also find wine. It is often served for weddings or birthdays. My husband’s grandfather, who was the baker of a Colombian village, made this cake often a month in advance for weddings.

28/11/2025

Pan de Muerto, Sweet Yeast Bread from Mexico

If my company decides to invite for a Mexican celebration of the “dia de los muertos”, so All Saint’s Day, I am in. The most important food in Mexico on this very special occasion? Pan de muerto, this is an enriched sweet yeast dough flavored with orange and anise seed. There are many varieties in Mexico. I volunteered that I would like to make this bread for the event. Because I enjoy baking and I like to try out new recipes from Latin America. So I started doing research, I even did a trial run and then I ended up making my beloved enriched yeast recipe, which I enriched with orange zest. Normally I should have also added anis seeds, but I don’t like the flavor. Feel free to add, I included the instructions below. So let’s get started.

18/11/2025

Alfajores Cordobeses from Argentinia

These sandwich cookies from Argentina are from the city Cordoba. They are named alfajores cordobeses in Spanish. They are characterized by a type of sugar cookie filled with quince paste or dulce de membrillo, which is then dunked in icing glaze. They are so delicious! Continue Reading…

07/11/2025

Coffee Flan from Colombia

Did you know that October 1 is international coffee day? I am currently hosting a blog event, which features blogger recipes containing coffee. For this special occasion I wanted to bring a recipe from Colombia: flan. Do you know flan? This is a custard originally from Spain, which has become very popular in all of Latin America. Obviously I already have a recipe for regular flan on my blog. This time I wanted to create great coffee flavor. So when I started consulting the Internet for recipes, I realized that almost all used instant coffee or espresso granules. I didn’t like that too much. I was extra happy when I found out that my Colombian cookbook creates the coffee flavor by making a coffee syrup first. This helps bring the coffee flavor to the front, but is not as bitter. Continue Reading…

01/10/2025

Tres Leches Cake from Mexico

Tres leches, or literally translated as three milks, is a famous cake from Mexico. I have been meaning to introduce it and never got round to it, but finally I am doing it now. Think of a sponge cake, which is soaked in three types of milk. The version I introduce below is with condensed milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream. By soaking the cake, it becomes extra moist. I liked the version that has one layer of whipping cream on the top, which is then sprinkled with cinnamon. If you like milk flavor with a touch of vanilla, this very soft cake is probably for you.

19/09/2025

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