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Dulce de Lechosa

Translucent ribbons of green papaya simmered in spiced papelón syrup — a Venezuelan sweet that is pure sunshine.

⏱ 25 minPrep time
🔥 1 hrCook time
🍽 8Servings
🏷 DessertCategory
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Dulce de Lechosa

Dulce de lechosa is a treasured Venezuelan dessert made from unripe papaya (lechosa), cooked slowly in a syrup of papelón with cinnamon and cloves until the fruit turns golden and translucent. It is especially loved around Easter, when it is served chilled with a slice of white cheese.

Papaya turned to amber

The papaya pieces become tender and almost candied, each one glazed in a fragrant, caramel-like syrup with warm notes of cinnamon and clove. Served cold, it is sweet, gently spiced, and refreshing.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Peel the green papaya, halve it, and scrape out the seeds; cut the flesh into 1-inch chunks.
  2. Soak the chunks in 4 cups of water with the baking soda for 30 minutes, then rinse well — this keeps the pieces firm during cooking.
  3. Combine the papelón, water, cinnamon, cloves, and lime juice in a large pot; bring to a boil and stir until the papelón dissolves.
  4. Add the papaya and simmer over medium-low heat, uncovered, for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the syrup thickens and the papaya turns golden and translucent.
  5. Cool to room temperature, then chill; serve cold in small bowls with a slice of white cheese if you like.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Choose a papaya that is fully green and very firm, with no hint of yellow, or it will turn to mush. The dulce keeps 1 week in the fridge in a sealed jar, and the syrup only gets thicker and more fragrant.

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Recipe details

Prep25 min
Cook1 hr
Servings8
CategoryDessert
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →