Higos rellenos de manjar blanco are a traditional Guatemalan dessert of figs candied in syrup and filled with manjar blanco or dulce de leche.
It’s an elaborate, elegant sweet, valued for the combination of the candied fig’s sweet flavor with the creaminess of the filling.
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Guatemalan Candied Figs Filled with Dulce de Leche
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 pieces
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Guatemalan
Ingredients
- 12 of fresh figs, firm
- 2 cups of sugar
- 2 cups of water
- 1 of cinnamon stick
- 1 cup of manjar blanco or dulce de leche
Instructions
- Prepare the figs, wash the figs and make a cross-shaped cut on top, without fully separating them.
- Make the syrup, boil the water with the sugar and cinnamon until you get a light syrup.
- Candy, add the figs to the syrup and cook over low heat until tender and they’ve absorbed some of the syrup, about 30 to 40 minutes.
- Cool, let the figs cool in the syrup.
- Fill, once cooled, gently open each fig at the cut and fill with a teaspoon of manjar blanco or dulce de leche.
- Serve, serve cold, with a little of the syrup on top.
Tips for getting it right
- Using firm figs, not too ripe, helps them keep their shape during cooking.
- The cross-shaped cut should be shallow, without fully separating the fig, so it can be filled later.
- Letting the figs cool completely before filling keeps the manjar blanco from melting.
- It’s a more elaborate dessert, ideal for special occasions.
Traditional variations
- It’s an elaborate sweet, present at celebrations and special occasions in Guatemala.
- Some families use cream cheese instead of manjar blanco for the filling.
How to serve
Higos rellenos de manjar blanco are served cold, with a little of the syrup on top.
It’s an elaborate, elegant dessert, valued at special occasions in Guatemala.
Recommended sides
- Coffee
Did you know?
Candied figs are a traditional preparation in several Hispanic countries, each with its own filling variants.
The manjar blanco used as filling gives this dessert a creamy texture that contrasts with the candied fig.
Frequently Asked Questions
They're a traditional Guatemalan dessert of figs candied in syrup and filled with manjar blanco or dulce de leche.
The cut allows the fig to be gently opened after candying so it can be filled with the manjar blanco.
Yes, some families use cream cheese instead of manjar blanco or dulce de leche.
It's a more elaborate dessert, ideal for celebrations and special occasions.
