I was taught the Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake recipe on my visit in Cinco Esquinas, Costa Rica. I collected traditional recipes and took local cooking classes to add to my food blog. Cinco Esquinas is a small town in the San Jose province with charming streets and a welcoming community. The town is also the starting point for excursions to the Barva Volcano via a trail starting at Cinco Esquinas. This trail gives hikers scenic views and opportunity to explore the region.
While staying at a local hostel, a fellow traveler showed me the Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake recipe. These Maria cookies are a local favorite, often nibbled on with coffee or tea. Their simplicity and use of readily available ingredients makes them a staple in Costa Rican homes.
Exploring Cinco Esquinas and learning the Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake recipe gave me insight into the local cuisine. The town’s proximity to nature such as the Barva Volcano make it an attractive destination for both cultural and outdoor travelers. In the hostel I spoke to locals and other travelers about Costa Rican cuisine and wrote about it in real time for my food blog.
For those who wish to visit, Cinco Esquinas combines cultural immersion with access to nature, and is a worthwhile stop for foodies and adventurers alike.
Ingredients For the Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake Recipe
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
12 ounces evaporated milk
⅓ cup key lime juice, or about 10-12 fresh squeezed key limes
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 ozs Marias cookies, leave some aside to semi-crushing
Cooking Instructions For the Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake Recipe
Add the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, key lime juice, and vanilla extract to a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
Take a 9-inch square baking dish and spread a layer of mixture (about ¼ of the mixture) at the bottom.
Place a layer of Galletas Maria cookies on top of the whipped cream layer, making sure they are evenly distributed. Cut some in half or break them up into smaller pieces to cover the empty spaces.
Pour another layer of the mixture (about ¼ of the mixture) over the cookies. Spread it out evenly. Repeat this layering process with the remaining Maria’s cookies and mixture, until all the ingredients are used. The final top layer will be the mixture.
Cover and place it in the freezer until it reaches your desired firmness.
Garnish with a few of the crushed Marias cookies, before serving, for crunch.
Serve chilled and enjoy.
15 Essential Ingredients for Costa Rica Cooking
Costa Rican cuisine uses local, fresh ingredients that highlight the land’s flavors. The food is often simple but flavorful, using natural ingredients that come together to make meals. Whether you’re making classics like gallo pinto or casado at home or trying new Costa Rican flavors at home, knowing the right ingredients is the key to making authentic meals. Here are 15 ingredients that go into Costa Rican cooking.
1. Rice Rice is a staple in Costa Rican cooking, often used as the base for many dishes. It is typically served alongside beans, vegetables, or meats. The classic gallo pinto (rice and beans) is a breakfast favorite, and rice accompanies nearly every meal, whether in casado or as a side dish.
2. Black Beans Black beans are another essential in Costa Rican cuisine. They are typically served with rice to make gallo pinto, or in soups, stews, and salads. The beans are often cooked with garlic, onions, and herbs, bringing out their rich flavor.
3. Plantains Plantains are a versatile ingredient used in many Costa Rican dishes. They can be fried, boiled, or mashed, and are often served as a side dish. Fried plantains, or tajadas, are a popular snack or accompaniment to meals like casado.
4. Corn Corn is a fundamental ingredient in Costa Rican cuisine, appearing in dishes such as tamales and tortillas. Masa (corn dough) is used to make a variety of foods, and corn is also ground into flour for baking.
5. Chicken Chicken is one of the most commonly used meats in Costa Rican cooking. It is often used in dishes like sopa negra (black bean soup) and casado, and can be grilled, fried, or stewed.
6. Pork Pork is also popular in Costa Rica and is used in many traditional dishes. It is often roasted or grilled, and can also be added to stews or mixed with rice for a hearty meal.
7. Cilantro Cilantro is an essential herb in Costa Rican kitchens, offering a fresh, zesty flavor to many dishes. It is often used in gallo pinto, soups, salads, and salsas, providing a refreshing herbal note.
8. Onions Onions are a foundational flavor in Costa Rican cooking, used to build the base of many dishes. They are sautéed with garlic to create a fragrant base for beans, rice, and meats.
9. Garlic Garlic is another key flavoring in Costa Rican cuisine. It is used in almost every dish, often sautéed with onions to create a rich, aromatic foundation for soups, rice, and beans.
10. Bell Peppers Bell peppers add color and flavor to Costa Rican dishes. They are frequently used in gallo pinto, stews, and salsas, and they provide a slight sweetness to balance out the savory ingredients.
11. Tomatoes Tomatoes are commonly used in Costa Rican cooking, particularly in salsas and sauces. They bring juiciness and acidity to dishes, helping to balance the flavors of meats and beans.
12. Limes Limes are an essential ingredient in Costa Rican kitchens, used to add acidity and brightness to a variety of dishes. Lime juice is often squeezed over fish, ceviche, and meats, and it is also used in drinks like agua de sapo.
13. Sour Cream (Crema) Sour cream is commonly served as a topping for many Costa Rican dishes, such as gallo pinto or tamales. It adds a cool, creamy contrast to the spiciness of certain foods.
14. Oregano Oregano is a key seasoning in Costa Rican cuisine, often used in meat dishes and stews. It adds a fragrant, earthy flavor that complements the other spices and herbs in the dish.
15. Costa Rican Coffee Costa Rican coffee is famous worldwide for its smooth, rich flavor. It is often enjoyed at breakfast, alongside gallo pinto, or after a meal as a refreshing pick-me-up. The beans grown in Costa Rica are some of the best in the world, and their use in the kitchen is an important part of Costa Rican culture.
Fresh, local ingredients are at the base of Costa Rican cooking. Whether you’re making a traditional gallo pinto or a hearty casado , these 15 must-have ingredients will help you make authentic Costa Rican dishes that capture the country’s flavors. From beans and rice to fresh herbs and meats, these are the basic ingredients in the Costa Rican kitchen, offering simple yet flavorful cooking.
10 Most Popular Spices Used in Costa Rica
Costa Rican cuisine is fresh and vibrant, using local spices and herbs. These spices give the ingredients an all natural taste and create a special cooking experience. The following are the 10 most common spices in Costa Rica that give the food its own character.
1. strong>Coriander Coriander, known as cilantro in Costa Rica, is one of the most widely used herbs in the country. It is found in many dishes, from rice and beans to soups and salsas. The fresh, citrusy flavor of coriander brightens up many Costa Rican meals, and it is often used as a garnish to finish off dishes like gallo pinto or sopa negra.
2. Garlic Garlic is an essential ingredient in Costa Rican cooking, commonly used to add depth and richness to many dishes. It is often sautéed at the beginning of cooking to form the base of stews, rice dishes, and soups. Garlic also pairs well with other spices and adds a subtle, aromatic flavor to the food.
3. Onions Onions are another key ingredient in Costa Rican cuisine. They provide a sweet, savory base for many dishes and are frequently used alongside garlic in cooking. Whether they are caramelized, sautéed, or raw, onions are an indispensable component in soups, stews, and rice-based dishes like gallo pinto.
4. strong> Oregano Oregano is commonly used in Costa Rican cooking, adding a warm, aromatic flavor to meats, stews, and tomato-based sauces. It is especially popular in dishes like sopa de pollo (chicken soup) and is also used in marinades for grilled meats. Oregano brings an earthy and slightly peppery flavor to many traditional Costa Rican meals.
5. Cumin Cumin is a spice that adds a warm, earthy, and slightly nutty flavor to Costa Rican dishes. It is often used in rice and bean dishes like gallo pinto, as well as in marinades for meats and stews. Cumin is a key ingredient in many Costa Rican spice blends, contributing to the distinct taste of the country’s food.
6. Turmeric Turmeric is a spice that is gaining popularity in Costa Rica, known for its vibrant yellow color and earthy flavor. It is often used in stews and soups to add color and a mild, slightly bitter taste. Turmeric also pairs well with cumin and coriander, creating a rich flavor profile in many Costa Rican dishes.
7. Paprika Paprika is another important spice in Costa Rican cooking. It adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavor to many dishes, from meats to vegetables. Paprika is often used in seasoning blends and marinades, providing a rich red color and a deep, smoky taste that complements Costa Rican stews, rice dishes, and grilled foods.
8. Bay Leaves Bay leaves are commonly used to infuse flavor into Costa Rican soups, stews, and rice dishes. They have a subtle, earthy taste that enhances the overall flavor of the food. Bay leaves are often added to simmering broths and removed before serving, leaving behind a mild, aromatic flavor that is a hallmark of Costa Rican cuisine.
9. Annatto (Achiote) Annatto, also known as achiote, is a spice used in Costa Rica to give dishes a vibrant red color and a mild, earthy flavor. It is often used in rice dishes, soups, and sauces, adding both visual appeal and a subtle flavor. Annatto is frequently used in Costa Rican recipes for chicken and pork, where it creates a rich, golden hue.
10. Hot Peppers Hot peppers, such as ají (a variety of small, fiery chili peppers), are an essential part of Costa Rican cuisine. They are used to add spice and heat to a wide variety of dishes, from salsas to stews. Costa Ricans often make salsas with hot peppers, garlic, and lime, which are served as condiments alongside meals to enhance the flavor and bring a spicy kick.
Costa Rican cuisine is based on fresh, flavorful spices that make everyday meals more delicious. From the citrusy coriander to the earthy cumin and oregano, these spices drive Costa Rican food preparation. Whether in traditional dishes such as gallo pinto or marinades for grilled meats, these spices make Costa Rican cuisine delicious and unique.
FAQ For the Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake Recipe
Question: How do I make a Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake recipe?
A: To make a Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake recipe, start by gathering key ingredients such as sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, key lime juice, vanilla extract and Maria Cookies. Repeatedly layer the cookies with the sweetened mixture, allowing the citrusy filling to infuse the crackers. Freeze the cake until it reaches your desired firmness. This no-bake dessert is both easy to make and bursting with refreshing lime flavor.
Question: What ingredients are essential for a Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake recipe?
A: Essential ingredients for a Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake recipe include sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, key lime juice, vanilla extract and Maria Cookies. The tangy lime juice and zest are key to capturing the authentic flavor of this dessert. Sweetened condensed milk provides creaminess, while the Maria cookies serve as the perfect base. Whipped cream adds a light and airy texture, making the cake delightfully refreshing and ideal for warm weather.
Question: Can I customize the Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake recipe to suit my taste preferences?
A: Yes, you can customize the Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake recipe to suit your preferences by experimenting with different ingredients. For example, you can use gluten-free graham crackers if you need a gluten-free option or add a layer of fresh fruit like sliced strawberries for added sweetness. Adjust the lime juice to make the dessert more or less tangy. The recipe’s flexibility makes it easy to adapt while keeping the refreshing lime flavor at its core.
Question: How long does a Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake recipe take to prepare and set?
A: Preparing a Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake recipe typically takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on how quickly you can assemble the layers. However, the key to this dessert is allowing it to set properly. If you do not need it to be a more solid set, as in the freezer, then the refrigerator will do fine. The refrigerator which takes at least 4-6 hours or overnight. This chilling time is crucial for the graham crackers to absorb the lime filling, resulting in a creamy, sliceable cake with a perfectly balanced texture and flavor.
Question: Is the Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake recipe suitable for parties and gatherings?
A: The Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake recipe is an excellent choice for parties and gatherings because it is easy to prepare in advance and serves a crowd. Its tangy lime flavor and creamy texture make it a refreshing dessert that guests will love, especially during warm weather. You can also present it in a clear dish to showcase its beautiful layers, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Costa Rican Galletas Maria Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 ozs sweetened condensed milk
- 12 ozs evaporated milk
- ⅓ cup lime juice or about 10-12 fresh squeezed key limes
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 10 ozs Marias buscuits, leave some aside to semi-crush for topping
Instructions
- Add the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, key lime juice, and vanilla extract to a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Take a 9-inch square baking dish and spread a layer of mixture (about ¼ of the mixture) at the bottom.
- Place a layer of Galletas Maria cookies on top of the whipped cream layer, making sure they are evenly distributed. Cut some in half or break them up into smaller pieces to cover the empty spaces.
- Pour another layer of the mixture (about ¼ of the mixture) over the cookies. Spread it out evenly. Repeat this layering process with the remaining Maria’s cookies and mixture, until all the ingredients are used The final top layer will be the mixture.
- Cover and place it in the freezer until it reaches your desired firmness.
- Garnish with a few of the crushed Marias cookies for crunch.
- Once ready, serve chilled and enjoy.