Best Milhoja Con Manjar

Milhoja Con Manjar (Thousand Sheet Dessert) is made with layers upon layers of buttery and flaky puff pastry, filled with caramelized sweetened condensed milk (manjar) and covered with shredded sweetened coconut. Let me take you on a trip down to the motherland, South America where I’m from, let me introduce you to my favourite dessert – Best Milhoja Con Manjar. You’re welcome.

This post contains some affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

What is Milhoja (Thousand Sheet Dessert)?

Back home, desserts and breads are a staple, a must have, a “can’t live without”. At every corner of every street you will find a bakery. These bakeries are pumping out freshly baked goods all day long, forcing you to give up any will power you ever had and succumb to the temptation of indulging in them. The origin of Torta Milhoja (Thousand Sheet Cake) is not difinitive but I’m biased so I say it originated in Chile. Torta Milhoja (Thousand Sheet Cake) is essentially stacked layers of puff pastry that have been slightly baked a little longer giving it a toasted and flaky consistency.

What is Manjar?

Manjar is a thick sweet sauce that originated in Chile. It is used as a spread for breads or a filling in cakes, churros and pastries. It is very similar in taste to caramel or dulce de leche but thicker and creamier. Dulce de leche is much clearer and grittier, you can taste the sugar crystals in the sauce. Caramel is thinner in consistency and less creamier. Manjar is mass produced in Chile by the experts but you can make it at home with a can of sweetened condensed milk, a pot, and water.

How To Make Mini Milhoja Con Manjar (Thousand Sheet Dessert)

This dessert will surprise you on how incredibly easy it is. All you need is 3 simple ingredients, patience and time. To start, there are several ways of making manjar but I only know one and that is the way I was taught growing up. Throughout the years my sister and I have had many debates regarding the boiling time and it all depends on how dark you want your manjar to be. The longer you boil the sweetened condensed milk the thicker and more caramalized it will be. These are the 3 ingredients you will need:

Puff Pastry – Why make it from scratch when you can buy perfectly made sheets from the frozen isle at the grocery store. This recipe calls for one sheet. Thaw as per package instructions and bake 5 mins longer than suggested or until golden brown. We are going for the toasted look.

Sweetened Condensed Milk – One can. Fully immerse can into a pot of water and boil for 5 hours. This recipe calls for one can but you can boil a number of cans at the same time and store them in the pantry for future use.

Shredded Sweetened Coconut – Because it’s dessert and we are adding layers of flavour! Make sure to use shredded coconut and not flaked.

Making Manjar

Making manjar (caramelized sweetened condensed milk) is not difficult at all. First, you will need a large pot big enough to house one or more cans (if you choose to make more) filled with water. When placing the cans in the pot make sure to remove the labels and space them apart so they are not touching each other. Immerse the cans completely in water. Cover pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil, once the water is boiling lower the heat to medium low heat (the water will continue to bubble with the lid on). The cans will rattle a little while cooking.

Note: The cooking time does not change with the addition of more cans. 5 hours for one can, 5 hours for 10 cans.

The most important thing about this whole process is to always make sure the cans are fully immersed in water, which means you will have to periodically check on them and add more water if need be and bring back to a boil. I do not know the science behind it but I was told it’s important so in turn I’ll tell you it’s important.

How To Enjoy Milhoja and Manjar

Torta Milhoja (thousand sheet cake) is enjoyed as a birthday cake or a great accompaniment to your morning coffee. I enjoy a piece for no apparent reason sometimes, why should there be a reason or a specific time? If you enjoy sweets, especially baked goods please see my Blueberry Buckle and Traditional Lemon Cake recipes. Manjar (caramalized sweetened condensed milk) can be used in cakes, cookies, crepes, churros, pastries, ice cream, etc.

Let’s Make Some Milhoja Con Manjar