10+ Mexican Dessert Recipes to Sweeten Your Day

Mexican desserts offer rich flavors and unique textures. From creamy flans to crispy churros, these treats bring a taste of tradition to your table.

1) Traditional Tres Leches Cake

Tres Leches Cake is a beloved Mexican dessert. It gets its name from the three types of milk used in the recipe. This cake is soft, sweet, and perfect for any occasion.

To make it, you start with a light vanilla sponge cake. Once baked, you soak it in a mixture of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. This makes the cake moist and rich.

You can top it with homemade whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor. It’s a great treat to share with friends and family.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup milk
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Cinnamon for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour a baking dish.
3. In a bowl, mix flour and baking powder.
4. In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar until fluffy. Add milk and vanilla.
5. Combine both mixtures until smooth.
6. Pour into the baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes.
7. Let the cake cool, then poke holes across the top.
8. Mix the evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream.
9. Pour the milk mixture over the cake.
10. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
11. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Enjoy!

2) Classic Churros with Chocolate Sauce

Making classic churros at home is fun and delicious. These crispy treats have a soft center and are perfect for dipping in rich chocolate sauce.

To start, you’ll need some simple ingredients like water, sugar, flour, and eggs. Fry them until golden brown for that perfect crunch.

For the chocolate sauce, melt Mexican chocolate with cream and butter to get a smooth, delightful dip.

Enjoy these tasty churros fresh and warm! They are great for sharing or as a special treat.

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup Mexican chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for sauce)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, combine water, sugar, and butter. Bring to a boil.
2. Remove from heat and stir in flour and salt until smooth.
3. Add the egg and mix well.
4. Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
5. Pipe dough into the oil and fry until golden.
6. For the sauce, melt chocolate with cream and butter over low heat.
7. Serve churros warm with chocolate sauce for dipping.

3) Authentic Flan

Authentic flan is a classic Mexican dessert that is smooth, creamy, and delicious. It features a rich caramel topping that adds a sweet touch to the custard base. Making flan at home is easy and requires just a few ingredients.

To start, you will need whole eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. The combination of these ingredients creates a rich flavor that is hard to resist.

Ingredients

• 4 whole eggs
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a saucepan, melt sugar over medium heat until golden brown. Pour caramel into a flan mold.
3. Blend eggs, milks, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Pour the mixture over the caramel in the mold.
5. Place the mold in a larger baking dish and fill with hot water halfway up the sides.
6. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until flan is set.
7. Cool, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

4) Mexican Chocolate Cake with Cinnamon

Mexican chocolate cake is a delightful treat that combines rich chocolate with a hint of spice. The addition of cinnamon gives it a warm, cozy flavor. This cake is moist and perfect for any occasion.

To make this cake, you’ll need simple ingredients. Gather flour, sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Don’t forget to add eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and oil for moisture.

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients together.
3. Add the eggs, milk, vanilla, and oil. Stir until combined.
4. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

5) Buñuelos (Crispy Fried Fritters)

Buñuelos are delicious, crispy fried fritters popular in Mexican cuisine. They are made from a dough that is rolled thin, then fried until golden brown. You can enjoy them dusted with cinnamon and sugar.

These treats are often served during holidays like Christmas and New Year’s. They are great for sharing with family and friends. Drizzling a little honey on top can make them even more delightful.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup warm water
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Cinnamon sugar (mix of sugar and ground cinnamon) for coating
• Honey (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, salt, and baking powder.
2. Slowly add warm water and knead until smooth.
3. Divide the dough into small balls and roll them out thin.
4. Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
5. Fry each fritter until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes per side.
6. Remove and drain on paper towels, then coat with cinnamon sugar.

6) Sticky Caramel Chocoflan

Sticky Caramel Chocoflan is a delightful Mexican dessert that combines a rich chocolate cake with creamy flan. This dessert is loved for its unique texture and flavors.

To make it, start by preparing your cake batter. Pour it into a cake pan that has caramel sauce at the bottom. Then, mix up a flan batter and pour it on top of the cake batter.

As it bakes, the flan layer rises to the top, creating a beautiful dessert. Once cool, flip the cake onto a plate for a stunning presentation.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup water
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat until it turns golden brown.
3. Pour caramel into the bottom of the cake pan.
4. Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
5. In another bowl, blend milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
6. Combine both mixtures and pour over caramel.
7. Prepare flan by blending eggs, milk, and sugar. Pour on top.
8. Bake for 50-60 minutes.
9. Let cool before flipping onto a plate.

7) Sweet Concha Bread

Concha bread is a delicious Mexican pastry that you can enjoy for breakfast or as a snack. Its fluffy, buttery texture and sweet topping make it a favorite among many.

To make this treat, you will create a yeasted dough. The top is usually decorated with a crunchy streusel, often flavored with cinnamon or vanilla.

You can easily find recipes online that guide you through the steps. Conchas can be enjoyed fresh out of the oven or toasted with a bit of butter.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F or 43°C)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk.
2. Mix in sugar, salt, and eggs.
3. Add flour and butter, knead until smooth.
4. Let the dough rise for 1 hour.
5. Shape into rounds and top with the streusel.
6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

8) Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)

Capirotada is a traditional Mexican bread pudding that you can enjoy, especially during Lent. This dessert combines sweet and savory flavors, making it unique and delicious.

You’ll use layers of crusty bread, nuts, and dried fruits. Ingredients like cheese add a special touch that balances the sweetness. It’s a great way to use stale bread!

Capirotada is easy to make and your family will love it. The smell of cinnamon and sugar will fill your kitchen as it bakes, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Ingredients

• 6 cups of water
• 3 Piloncillo cones
• 3 sticks of Mexican cinnamon
• 1 loaf of crusty bread
• 1 cup of raisins
• 1 cup of sliced bananas
• 1 cup of almonds
• 1 cup of cheese (like queso fresco)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Boil water with Piloncillo and cinnamon until dissolved.
3. Layer bread, raisins, bananas, and almonds in a baking dish.
4. Pour the sweetened water over the layers.
5. Top with cheese.
6. Bake for about 30 minutes.

9) Sopapillas with Honey Drizzle

Sopapillas are a delightful Mexican dessert that you can easily make at home. These fried treats are fluffy and light, perfect for drizzling with honey.

To start, prepare your dough using simple pantry ingredients. Once fried, they puff up beautifully.

Serve them warm, inviting everyone to enjoy the sweet honey drizzle on top.

You can also get creative with toppings like cinnamon or powdered sugar for extra flavor.

Sopapillas are perfect for sharing at gatherings or just a cozy night in.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 cup warm water
• Honey for drizzling

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
2. Add warm water gradually, mixing until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes.
4. Roll out the dough and cut it into squares.
5. Heat oil in a pan to 375°F (190°C).
6. Fry each square until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.
7. Remove from oil and let drain on paper towels.
8. Serve warm, drizzled with honey.

10) Rich Dulce De Leche Pastry Pockets

These delicious pastry pockets are a treat you won’t want to miss. They are flaky and filled with creamy dulce de leche, making them perfect for breakfast or dessert.

To make these, you can use store-bought puff pastry for a quick option. Simply cut it into squares, fill them with dulce de leche, and fold them over.

Bake until golden brown for a delightful treat.

Serve them warm with a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top. These pockets offer a rich flavor that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 package puff pastry
• 1 cup dulce de leche
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into squares.

3. Place a spoonful of dulce de leche on each square.

4. Fold the pastry over to create a pocket and seal the edges.

5. Brush the tops with beaten egg.

6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

7. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.