Treat Yourself to the Best Filipino Desserts in 2025

Introduction

You’re about to embark on a culinary journey through Filipino desserts that celebrate the Philippines’ rich, multicultural heritage. Whether you’re craving the creamy sweetness of biko or the colorful layers of halo‑halo, these recipes will guide you step by step. By the end of this tutorial‑style guide, you’ll have mastered 12 classic Filipino desserts, perfect for dessert or merienda in 2025.

Key Takeaway:
You will learn how to prepare 12 iconic Filipino desserts, each with clear, concise steps and a full recipe card, so you can delight your family and friends with authentic flavors.

12 Must‑Try Filipino Desserts in 2025

1. Biko (Glutinous Rice Cake)

Short Step‑by‑Step:

1. Soak 2 cups glutinous rice in water for 2 hours.
2. Drain and cook with 1½ cups coconut milk & 1 cup water until soft.
3. Stir in ¾ cup brown sugar; cook until thick.
4. Transfer to pan, top with latik (coconut curds), cool, slice.

Recipe Card:

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Servings: 8
• Yield: 1 9×9″ pan

2. Halo‑Halo Especial

Short Step‑by‑Step:

1. Layer ½ cup sweetened beans, jackfruit, nata de coco in a tall glass.
2. Add shaved ice to the top.
3. Pour ¼ cup evaporated milk over ice.
4. Top with ube ice cream and leche flan slice.
5. Serve immediately with long spoon.

Recipe Card:

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins
• Total Time: 10 mins
• Servings: 1
• Yield: 1 glass

3. Ube Bibingka (Purple Yam Mochi Cakes)

Short Step‑by‑Step:

1. Mix 2 cups glutinous rice flour, 1 cup coconut milk, ½ cup ube halaya.
2. Pour into greased muffin tin.
3. Steam for 20 mins.
4. Top with shredded coconut, serve warm.

Recipe Card:

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Servings: 6
• Yield: 6 cakes

4. Ube Cookies

Short Step‑by‑Step:

1. Cream ½ cup butter & ¾ cup sugar.
2. Beat in 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, ½ cup ube halaya.
3. Fold in 1½ cups flour & 1 tsp baking powder.
4. Scoop dough, bake at 350°F for 12 mins.

Recipe Card:

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 12 mins
• Total Time: 27 mins
• Servings: 24 cookies
• Yield: 2 dozen

5. Mamon (Sponge Cakes)

Short Step‑by‑Step:

1. Whisk 4 egg whites + ¼ tsp cream of tartar until stiff.
2. Separately beat 4 yolks + ½ cup sugar until pale.
3. Fold whites into yolks with 1 cup flour & ¼ cup melted butter.
4. Fill muffin cups, bake at 350°F for 15 mins.

Recipe Card:

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Servings: 12
• Yield: 12 cupcakes

6. Ube Panna Cotta

Short Step‑by‑Step:

1. Bloom 1 packet gelatin in ¼ cup cold milk.
2. Heat 2 cups cream, ½ cup milk & ½ cup sugar until sugar dissolves.
3. Stir in gelatin & ½ cup ube halaya.
4. Pour into molds, chill 4 hrs.

Recipe Card:

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins
• Servings: 4
• Yield: 4 panna cotta

7. Maja Blanca

Short Step‑by‑Step:

1. Mix 1 can cream‑style corn, 2 cups coconut milk & ½ cup sugar.
2. Stir in ½ cup cornstarch dissolved in ½ cup water.
3. Cook until thick.
4. Pour into pan, top with toasted coconut, cool.

Recipe Card:

• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Servings: 8
• Yield: 1 8×8″ pan

8. Karioka (Sweet Rice Balls)

Short Step‑by‑Step:

1. Mix 2 cups rice flour, 1 cup coconut, 1 cup coconut milk into dough.
2. Form balls, fry until golden.
3. Dip in caramelized sugar glaze.

Recipe Card:

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Servings: 12
• Yield: 12 balls

9. Barquillos (Wafer Rolls)

Short Step‑by‑Step:

1. Whisk 2 egg whites, ½ cup sugar & ¼ cup flour.
2. Spread thin on parchment, bake 5 mins at 350°F.
3. Quickly roll into tubes while warm.

Recipe Card:

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Servings: 12
• Yield: 12 rolls

10. Banana Lumpia

Short Step‑by‑Step:

1. Wrap banana slices in lumpia wrapper.
2. Fry until golden, drain.
3. Sprinkle with sugar, serve with ice cream.

Recipe Card:

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Servings: 6
• Yield: 6 rolls

11. Leche Flan

Short Step‑by‑Step:

1. Caramelize 1 cup sugar in pan, pour into molds.
2. Whisk 6 eggs + 1 can condensed milk + 1 can evaporated milk.
3. Strain, pour over caramel.
4. Steam 30 mins, chill, unmold.

Recipe Card:

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Servings: 8
• Yield: 8 flans

12. Ube Jam (Halayang Ube)

Short Step‑by‑Step:

1. Boil & mash 2 cups purple yam.
2. Cook with 1 cup condensed milk & ½ cup sugar until thick.
3. Stir in ½ cup butter, cool.

Recipe Card:

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Servings: 8
• Yield: 1 jar

Conclusion

Now you have twelve Filipino desserts recipes, complete with easy‑to‑follow steps and full recipe cards. You can confidently prepare each treat, bringing a taste of the Philippines into your home in 2025.

Suggested Recipes

• Buko Pandan Salad
• Mango Float
• Puto Bumbong

FAQs

Q1: What makes halo‑halo special?
A: Its mix‑and‑match layers of sweet beans, fruits, ice, and milk let you customize each spoonful.

Q2: Can I make biko gluten‑free?
A: Yes—use certified gluten‑free glutinous rice flour for the topping.

Q3: How long does halayang ube keep?
A: Stored in an airtight jar, it lasts up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

Enjoy crafting these Filipino desserts, and make 2025 your sweetest year yet!