Celebrate every day with these Mexican desserts, including Mexican wedding cookies, fried ice cream and tres leches cake.
1/27
Flan de Queso
From the Recipe Creator:
A small slice of this impressively rich, creamy, caramel flan dessert goes a long way. What a delightful finish for a special meal or holiday celebration. —Pat Forete, Miami, Florida
This vanilla-scented dessert comes together in a flash, and it’s baked in a water bath for its signature silky soft texture. In fact, the hardest part about making flan is waiting for it to be ready to eat.
2/27
Classic Tres Leches Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Tres leches means 'three milks.' This cake gets its name because it uses three kinds of milk—evaporated, condensed and cream. This tres leches cake's light and airy texture has made it a classic in Mexican kitchens for generations. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
For an extra-special adult spin, add a splash of dark rum or a sweet liqueur, like coffee or hazelnut, to the milk mixture before pouring it over the cake.
3/27
Sopaipillas
From the Recipe Creator:
Light, crispy pastry puffs, sopaipillas are a sweet way to round out a spicy meal. We love to serve them warm and to top them off with honey or sugar. —Mary Anne McWhirter, Pearland, Texas
Sopaipillas are crispy pillows of fried dough, just sweet enough to round out a spicy Mexican meal. To sweeten your sopaipillas, dust them with powdered sugar or drizzle them with honey when they’re hot out of the fryer. You can also sprinkle on your favorite dessert spices, like cinnamon, ginger or homemade pumpkin pie spice.
4/27
Fresas con Crema
From the Recipe Creator:
This refreshing dessert is wonderful when berries are in season. Media crema is a rich, unsweetened cream found in the baking aisle or ethnic food section of the grocery store. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Look for media crema, a rich and unsweetened cream, in the baking aisle or international food section of the grocery store. It’s similar to creme fraiche and sour cream, although sour cream is a bit tangier.
5/27
Conchas
From the Recipe Creator:
Concha (Mexican sweet bread) is a breakfast or snack pastry found all over Mexico. It has a fluffy brioche-like dough with a crispy streusel topping, scored to resemble a shell. The pastry can come in a variety of colors, shapes and flavors, but I prefer the plain and chocolate streusel. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
This recipe offers two different toppings—a plain brown sugar streusel, and a chocolate-tinged streusel—and we think you’ll find it impossible to choose a favorite!
6/27
Sopapilla Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
A sopapilla is a delectable fried pastry dusted with cinnamon and sugar, popular in Tex-Mex cuisine. I've captured the flavors in a luscious cheesecake with a flaky crescent roll dough crust, all topped with cinnamon sugar. —Kelly Nusser, Canyon, Texas
7/27
Regañadas
From the Recipe Creator:
My extended family shares a meal every Sunday. The aunts and uncles take turns bringing everything from main dishes to desserts like this traditional Mexican cinnamon cookie called reganadas. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Most of the cookie recipes you’re used to probably start with butter or shortening. These traditional cinnamon cookies, known in Mexico as reganadas, are made with lard, which gives them a crumbly texture. You can use butter if you have trouble finding lard in your local market, but for the most authentic Mexican desserts, using lard really does make all the difference.
8/27
Homemade Churros
From the Recipe Creator:
These fried cinnamon-sugar homemade churros are best when fresh and hot. Try them with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Don't be surprised if people start dunking...and then go back for more.
These fried cinnamon-sugar goodies are best when fresh and hot. Pair them with a cup of coffee or a mug of one of our decadent hot chocolate recipes. If (by some miracle) you have leftover churros, freeze them on a sheet pan, then pack in airtight freezer bags. To reheat, pop them in the toaster oven or air fryer for a few minutes until hot and crispy.
9/27
Bunuelos
From the Recipe Creator:
Bunuelos are a delicious and tasty fried Mexican treat. They are popular during the holidays but are good to eat any time of the year. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Traditionally enjoyed in Mexico around Christmas and New Year’s, we still love eating buñuelos all year long. Discs of fried dough are tossed in cinnamon sugar or sweet syrup and made with piloncillo sugar. They’re eaten throughout Latin America, and you’ll find different toppings, doughs and even shapes from region to region.
10/27
Fried Ice Cream
From the Recipe Creator:
Make this Mexican restaurant-style dessert at home! Drizzle hot fudge or caramel on top of this crunchy, creamy frozen treat. —Ronda Weirich, Plains, Kansas
11/27
Arroz con Leche
From the Recipe Creator:
Sweet and simple, this arroz con leche recipe is real comfort food in any language. You’ll love the warm raisin and cinnamon flavors. It’s great served cold, too. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Arroz con leche is a Spanish version of rice pudding. The milk and rice are sweetened, cooked and flavored, creating a thick dish. This simple five-ingredient Mexican dessert calls for raisins to be added to the mix, but if you’re not a fan, substitute another dried fruit or toasted nuts instead. You could also leave them out entirely.
12/27
Mexican Wedding Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
As part of a Mexican tradition, I tucked these sugar-dusted Mexican wedding cookies into small gift boxes for the guests at my sister's wedding. Most folks said the cookies never made it home! We bake them around the holidays too. —Sarita Johnston, San Antonio, Texas
If you bake regularly, there’s an excellent chance you already have the five ingredients for this recipe in your pantry. If you don’t keep pecans on hand, replace them with other finely chopped nuts, like walnuts or almonds.
13/27
Day of the Dead Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I make these cookies for all occasions. In the spring, I cut them in flower shapes and insert a lollipop stick in each to make a bouquet. Using candies, food coloring and a wild imagination, try your hand at this Day of the Dead version. —Kristine Fossmeyer, Huntley, Illinois
14/27
Mexican Hot Chocolate
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious, not-too-sweet Mexican hot chocolate is richly flavored with cocoa and delicately seasoned with spices. The whole-stick cinnamon stirrers come in handy, as the old-fashioned chocolate mixture settles if not stirred before drinking. The blend of cinnamon and chocolate flavors is wonderful! —Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas
Real Mexican hot chocolate is beaten with a molinillo (wooden whisk) until it’s light and frothy. To replicate that authentic experience, hit your hot chocolate with a handheld milk frother for 15 to 30 seconds.
15/27
Mayan Chocolate Biscotti
From the Recipe Creator:
Those who enjoy Mexican hot chocolate will love every bite of subtle sweetness and heat in these perked-up biscotti. —Chris Michalowski, Dallas, Texas
These biscotti use ground cinnamon, cacao dark baking chocolate and ground ancho chile pepper for a sweet and spicy flavor. They’re the perfect size to dunk into your morning coffee or hot chocolate.
16/27
Margarita Tres Leches Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
The first time I ever had tres leches cake, I felt as if I were in heaven. I have made it at home using several techniques and flavors, and this margarita twist on the classic is my favorite. —Laurie Lufkin, Essex, Massachusetts
This drink is inspired by one of our favorite Mexican drinks: margaritas! It’s sure to be the talk of the party at your next summer cookout.
17/27
Mole New Mexican Wedding Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Heat and sweet is such an amazing combination. I added chili powder and chocolate chips to give a new twist to traditional Mexican cookies. They melt in your mouth, and then the spice hits you. I just love them. —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico
These traditional Mexican cookies get a flavor upgrade thanks to chili powder and chocolate chips. You’ll love the heat and sweet flavor combination and tender crumb.
18/27
Easy Mexican Brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
I was hosting a fun Mexican-themed cocktail party and needed a quick dessert. Dressing up an ordinary boxed brownie mix made life easy and delicious! —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York
Ancho chile pepper is a mild spice with smoky flavor. Transform normal brownies into a Mexican-inspired dessert by adding ground ancho chile pepper into a box of brownie mix. We love the surprise hint of heat!
19/27
Cherry Biscochitos
From the Recipe Creator:
I discovered the wonderful anise flavor of biscochitos, which are traditional cookies of New Mexico. I created my own version with maraschino cherries and fresh cranberries. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
This fruit version of biscochitos is perfect to make during the holidays when fresh cranberries are in season, but using frozen cranberries makes them a year-round treat.
20/27
Chocolate Mexican Wedding Cakes
From the Recipe Creator:
These spiced balls are a yummy twist on a traditional favorite. Sometimes I add mini chocolate chips to the dough and, after baking, dip the cooled cookies in melted almond bark. —Joanne Valkema, Freeport, Illinois
These easy, nutty cookies are coated with cinnamon and sugar for a yummy twist on the authentic Mexican dessert.
21/27
Tea Cakes
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve baked many batches of cookies through the years, but family and friends tell me these southern treats are the best. The simple buttery flavor appeals to all. —Doris McGough, Dothan, AL
22/27
Dulce de Leche
From the Recipe Creator:
This simple and sweet dulce de leche is made with one ingredient: sweetened condensed milk. The thick caramel sauce can be used in cookies, cakes and toast! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
If you want to take your Mexican desserts even further, make your own dulce de leche. It requires only one ingredient: sweetened condensed milk. Just bake it in a water bath and then let cool. The results are worth the effort!
23/27
Shortcut Tres Leches Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom's favorite cake is tres leches, a butter cake soaked in three kinds of milk. I developed a no-fuss version that’s rich and tender. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Can’t wait to dig into a craveable tres leches cake? We’ve all been there! Try this recipe, which uses yellow cake mix to get the creamy cake to the table much faster. For something a little different, make tres leches cake with different flavors of cake mix, like chocolate, lemon or even Funfetti.
24/27
Sopaipilla Stars
From the Recipe Creator:
These deep-fried breads were a hit when I made them for our daughter's birthday party. They're a fun way to round out a Mexican-themed meal. —Glenda Jarboe, Oroville, California
Make classic sopaipillas more special by cutting the dough into star shapes before frying them. Because they’re bite-sized, these sopaipillas are wonderful served with an array of sweet dessert sauces for dipping. Set out small bowls of salted caramel sauce, hot fudge or lemon curd.
25/27
Pastelitos De Boda
From the Recipe Creator:
In Mexico, these rich cookies are called 'Little Wedding Cakes' and usually are served with hot chocolate. Since moving here close to Mexico from the Midwest, I've enjoyed trying authentic recipes—they're a sharp departure from the Iowa favorites I grew up with! I love introducing these to relatives and friends! —Terri Lins, San Diego, California
In Mexico, these rich cookies are called “Little Wedding Cakes” and are usually served with hot chocolate. Make sure you let the dough rest overnight so the flavors have time to deepen.
26/27
Horchata
From the Recipe Creator:
In this Horchata recipe, the mixture of ground rice and almonds is accented with a hint of lime. Depending on your preference, you can use more or less water for a thinner or creamier beverage. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Horchata is a cool, refreshing Mexican drink that tastes like rice pudding in a glass.
27/27
Caramel Custard
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I have enjoyed this simple custard recipe many times, especially after a Tex-Mex meal. In fact, I've made it so often I don't even look at the recipe. See if it doesn't become a regular favorite at your house. —Linda McBride, Austin, Texas
It only takes four simple ingredients to make this rich and creamy Mexican dessert. In fact, there’s a good chance you might have milk, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in your house right now!
Mexican Desserts FAQ
Is flan a Mexican dessert?
Though flan is often enjoyed in Mexican cuisine, it’s a dessert with a rich European history that goes back thousands of years. It’s made with caramelized sugar, eggs and milk and sometimes flavored with vanilla. Since flan only requires a few simple ingredients, it’s important to use one the best vanilla extracts so the flavor shines. Flan is classic recipe that has been cherished for countless generations and is beloved in many Latin American countries.
What is the most popular dessert in Mexico?
It’s hard to definitively name the most popular dessert in Mexico, but tres leches cake is a serious contender. It’s a sponge cake soaked in a mix of three milks: sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and cream. Topped with whipped cream or meringue and often decorated with fresh fruit, it’s known for its moist texture and rich flavor. You’ll find it at celebrations and gatherings across Mexico, including birthdays and weddings.
What are some easy Mexican desserts?
Many of the recipes listed above are incredibly easy to make, like the four-ingredient caramel custard and the supremely simple fresas con crema. For an easy Mexican dessert that makes it look like you pulled out all the stops, try the no-fry fried ice cream.
