Caluga Cake is a traditional Chilean dessert known for its crumbled biscuit base (like María or vanilla), a filling of “caluga”, a creamy and caramelized sort of dulce de leche, and raspberry jam.
The term “caluga” in Chilean Spanish refers to a type of soft and sweet candy.
Caluga is composed of condensed milk with a sugar syrup that, together with butter, is mixed until a dense mixture is created.
It is often prepared for special occasions or as a homemade dessert, and may include manjar as an ingredient, but is not always present in all versions.
Many modern versions suggest crushing the biscuits with nuts or other dried fruits, but I preferred the traditional version, which is the recipe below.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 6 Hours
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 6 People
- Cooking methods: Boiling
- Cuisine: Chilean
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 5 2/3 tbsp butter
- 7/16 cup water
- 1 2/3 cups condensed milk
- 14 oz María biscuits (or Oro Saiwa type)
- 7 oz raspberry jam
Tools
- 1 Cake pan 8.6/9.4 inches
Steps
For the Caluga Cream:
In a saucepan, melt sugar, butter, and water over medium heat.
Add the condensed milk and cook, stirring constantly until it thickens (15–20 min).
The cream will be ready when it has a consistency similar to light dulce de leche but softer.
Line the mold with plastic wrap to facilitate removal.
Alternate layers of broken biscuits with caluga cream.
After 2 layers, spread a thin layer of raspberry jam.
Repeat ending with biscuits.
Cover and leave in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Does the Caluga Cake use fresh raspberries or raspberry jam?
Traditionally, mermelada de frambuesa (raspberry jam) is used, not fresh raspberries.
This is because:
Jam was more accessible and storable in Chilean homes.
Its sweetness balances with the caluga and optional manjar.
Fresh raspberries appear only in modern or revisited versions, often for aesthetic reasons or to make the dessert less sweet and fresher.
Traditional version: mermelada de frambuesa, María or vanilla-type biscuits, caluga cream, (optional manjar), layered.
Modern versions: sometimes use fresh fruit (raspberries, strawberries) or whipped cream.
