Habichuelas con Dulce (Dominican Sweet Cream of Beans)
The Dominican Lent dessert: red beans blended into a creamy, spiced drink-pudding with coconut milk, evaporated milk, cinnamon and cloves, studded with sweet potato and raisins.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps
Cook the beans
Drain the soaked beans and simmer them in a large pot (at least 4 litres) with the water over medium-low heat for 1 to 1.5 hours, until very soft and they mash easily. Do not drain the pot; you will use the beans and cooking water in the next step.
- 250 g dried kidney beans
- 1.5 litres water
✅ Done when: beans are very soft and mash easily
Blend
Blend the beans together with their cooking liquid until completely smooth, then pour through a sieve back into the pot, pressing with a spoon to push all the cream through and discarding the skins left behind.
- all cooked beans and cooking liquid from step 1
✅ Done when: the cream is smooth with no lumps
Add the milks and spices
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Cook the sweet potato
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Finish
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Serve
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Cook the beans
Drain the soaked beans and simmer them in a large pot (at least 4 litres) with the water over medium-low heat for 1 to 1.5 hours, until very soft and they mash easily. Do not drain the pot; you will use the beans and cooking water in the next step.
- 250 g dried kidney beans
- 1.5 litres water
✅ Done when: beans are very soft and mash easily
Blend
Blend the beans together with their cooking liquid until completely smooth, then pour through a sieve back into the pot, pressing with a spoon to push all the cream through and discarding the skins left behind.
- all cooked beans and cooking liquid from step 1
✅ Done when: the cream is smooth with no lumps
Add the milks and spices
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Cook the sweet potato
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Finish
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Serve
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The Story Behind the Dish
Habichuelas con dulce is made during Lent and especially Holy Week, when it's traditionally shared between neighbours: families cook big pots and send cups to friends and relatives.
Using beans in a sweet dessert surprises many visitors, but the result is creamy, spiced and comforting, a little like a rice pudding or chai.
⭐ Why It's Famous
It's one of the most beloved Dominican traditions, tasted only once a year in many homes.
💡 Fun Fact
Every family argues about the right recipe: some add evaporated milk, some only coconut, and the cookies on top are non-negotiable.
Dominican Republic
18.49°N, -69.93°W
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