13 Best Mexican Dessert Recipes That You Will Adore
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Looking for authentic Mexican desserts to celebrate your next fiesta the right way? Then you’re in the right place.
From caramel flan and sweet Mexican corn cake to sopapilla and homemade tres leches cake, this article provides you with everything you need to satisfy your cravings.
In fact, you can’t have a fiesta without some traditional churros! They are ultra-light, crispy on the outside, and soft in the middle – perfect for dipping in chocolate sauce!
With this in mind, this guide will explore all the best Mexican dessert recipes that you’re sure to adore.
This dish could be considered one of the most well-known and popular Mexican desserts. This comes as no surprise since Mexican flan is a creation of dreams.
While it may look like cheesecake, the texture, and taste are entirely different. In fact, flan is a custard-like dessert with a delicious caramel sauce on the top.
Despite the dessert looking intimidating to prepare, don’t worry, the recipe itself is quite simple to whip up.
For this recipe, keep in mind that you have to bake the flan in a water bath. This allows the flan to bake evenly and prevents the egg whites from curdling.
The best part? It only contains a few simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry.
Everyone knows this classic Mexican dessert! Churros are a family favorite dessert and this is for good reason, too.
Here, deep-fried dough sticks are coated in delicious cinnamon sugar and then dipped in whatever sauce you like – the most popular are caramel and chocolate. What’s not to love?!
On the inside, they are moist and tender, while it is sweet and crunchy on the outside. No wonder these classic desserts are a favorite across the world.
The beauty of this simple recipe is that you can whip up this delicious sweet treat in a matter of minutes.
This Mexican sweet corn cake (pastel de elote) is slightly different from the traditional recipe since it is baked in a bundt pan.
Traditionally, this cake is made during the holiday season, however, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy this sweet treat throughout the year.
When it comes to Mexican culture, corn is an essential crop – you don’t have to worry about leaving corn out of the recipe with this recipe.
In fact, you’ll find three different types of corn, including corn flour, cornmeal, and whole kernel corn (frozen or canned).
Thanks to the bundt pan, you’re rewarded with a cake featuring beautiful ridges that the caramel or cajeta can ooze from.
You’ll find tons of delicious corn flavors here – which is important since it’s Mexico’s most important crop.
Whether you decide to top your cake with cajeta, whipped cream, dulce de leche, caramel, vanilla ice cream, or powdered sugars, you’ll be rewarded with a decadent treat.
You can’t go wrong with hot chocolate, but have you ever tried Mexican hot chocolate? You’re sure to be in for a treat.
When it comes to hot drinks that are both heartwarming and soul-satisfying, nothing compares to hot chocolate whipped up by Mexican cooks (or at least those aspiring to be!).
To make Mexican hot chocolate, all you need is 100% unsweetened cocoa powder, milk, cinnamon, and the special ingredients: a hint of cayenne pepper.
The result is a comforting beverage that is like nothing you have ever tasted before. To send your hot chocolate to the next level, top it with some whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce for a decadent beverage.
While you may already be familiar with churros and caramel flan, have you ever tried dulce de leche? It is the sweetest, most luscious Mexican dessert you’ll ever try!
Essentially, dulce de leche is sweetened milk, however, don’t let its simplicity fool you – it is phenomenal.
It is similar to caramel sauce, although it is much thicker, sweeter, and more delicious.
Plus, you can top your homemade dulce de leche on all your favorite Mexican desserts to take them to the next level – great for Cinco de Mayo!
“Tres leches” translates to “three milks”. When it comes to this authentic Mexican dessert, the cake is soaked in heavy cream, evaporated milk, and condensed milk.
When looking at Mexican cake recipes, the tres leches cake is a classic. Thanks to its ultramoist texture it is perfect for all occasions!
For this recipe, strawberry slices are sprinkled over whipped frosting. That said, you can add whatever toppings you desire, including berries or dulce de leche.
If you have ever been fortunate enough to visit a Mexican grocery store, then there is no doubt that you have seen a wall covered in a rainbow of shell-shaped bread.
In Mexico, this sweet bread – known as conchas – can be found everywhere.
Typically, they find them covered in colorful sugar frosting and sometimes adorned with sprinkles, too.
Conchas is one of Mexico’s most popular bread – it isn’t overly sweet yet incredibly airy and fluffy.
Thanks to the satisfying toppings, you’re rewarded with something that is sweet and crunchy.
Around the world, rice is one of the most commonly eaten foods. Plus, this traditional grain is a staple in Mexican cooking, too.
Like some other cultures, Mexicans use rice to make deliciously sweet puddings. Known as “arroz con leche”, this translates to “rice with milk” – a creamy decadence.
The best part? You can make this rice pudding ahead of time! Plus, if you have any leftover rice, this is a great option, too – cooked like true Mexican cooks.
For this recipe, all you need is vanilla, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
These sopapillas are puffy, fluffy, and delicious dough squares that are deep-fried to achieve the perfect texture.
The consistency of these sopapillas can be considered similar to that of Indian fry bread. For a savory snack, some people will also fill the inside with taco meat.
Although, for dessert, they are packed with cream and berries.
This recipe only consists of honey and powdered sugar – while this may sound simple, it tastes delicious!
These Mexican wedding cookies are also referred to as polvorons, butterballs, and snowballs.
The best part? You don’t need to attend a wedding to gobble up these tasty treats. Instead, you can make them from the comfort of your home.
These dainty cookies are sweet, tender, and nutty with hints of butter throughout. Once you bite into these little gems, you’re sure to experience a wash of ecstasy.
Like many Mexican desserts, these Mexican wedding cookies look more complex than they actually are. In fact, all you need are a few pantry staples.
Typically, empanadas are savory, however, did you know that they can be eaten as a dessert, too?
Similar to American fried apple pies, you’ll understand the lure of these pineapple empanadas.
Plus, you can take this recipe and customize it however you want. For instance, this recipe uses pineapple preserves, but you can use whatever preserves you like.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to take a trip to Mexico in order to test out all their delicious desserts. Instead, you can make all these, and more, in the comfort of your home.
From fried ice cream and rice pudding to pineapple empanadas and sopapillas – you’re sure to find something you like.
