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    Home / Dessert / Dulce de Higos

    Dulce de Higos

    Fresh figs simmered in a spiced panela syrup until dark and glossy, served with slices of fresh cheese — Ecuador’s elegant colonial-era dessert.

    ⏱ 15 minPrep time
    🔥 1 hr 5 minCook time
    🍽 6Servings
    🏷 DessertCategory
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    Dulce de Higos - Figs in Spiced Panela Syrup

    Dulce de higos is a dessert with colonial roots: fresh figs are slowly cooked in a syrup of panela (unrefined cane sugar), cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel until they turn deep amber and almost candied. It is traditionally served with slices of fresh cheese, the salty-sweet pairing Ecuadorians adore.

    Amber figs in a honeyed panela syrup

    The figs become tender and jammy, infused through with spiced syrup, and the liquid reduces to a glossy, honey-like sauce. Against the cool, milky freshness of queso fresco, the sweet, perfumed figs are pure elegance — a dessert that tastes like history.

    Ecuadorian recipes →

    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Trim the fig stems and pierce each fig 3 to 4 times with a toothpick so the syrup can penetrate.
    2. Blanch the figs in boiling water for 2 minutes, drain, and repeat once more to remove any bitterness.
    3. In a wide pot, combine the panela, water, cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel, and simmer for 10 minutes until the sugar has fully dissolved.
    4. Add the figs and simmer uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes, turning occasionally, until the figs are dark, glossy, and tender and the syrup has thickened to a honey-like consistency.
    5. Stir in the lime juice and let the figs cool in the syrup.
    6. Serve the figs with their syrup over slices of queso fresco.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    Dulce de higos only improves after a day in the syrup — it keeps 1 week refrigerated in a jar. Leftover syrup is wonderful over ice cream or yogurt.

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    Recipe details

    Prep15 min
    Cook1 hr 5 min
    Servings6
    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 →

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