Craving authentic Mexican desserts for your next fiesta? Indulge in classic favorites like crispy churros, sopapillas, and creamy tres leches. From fried ice cream to caramel flan cake, these sweet treats are sure to satisfy every taste bud. Here’s a collection of my top Mexican dessert picks!
1. Churros
Start this delightful journey with a classic Mexican dessert: the churro. These crispy, cinnamon-sugar-coated dough sticks are perfectly sweet and crunchy, with a tender inside. Paired with chocolate or caramel, they’re irresistible! The best part? This easy recipe lets you enjoy this beloved treat in no time.
2. Fried Ice Cream
Vanilla ice cream takes on a whole new level when rolled in fried cornflakes. No deep fryer needed for this easy, mess-free recipe! Simply fry the cornflakes and coat the ice cream for a crispy, golden crust. Drizzle with chocolate or caramel syrup for a heavenly Mexican-inspired treat.
3. Dulce de Leche
Dulce de leche, a rich and creamy Mexican treat, is made from sweetened milk, similar to caramel but sweeter and thicker. It’s perfect for drizzling on desserts like churros and tres leches cake. Elevate your favorite Mexican treats with this luscious sauce, ideal for Cinco de Mayo celebrations!
4. Caramel Flan
Caramel flan is a rich, creamy dessert topped with luscious caramel sauce. This easy recipe requires just five simple ingredients: sugar, eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla. Perfect for beginners, it’s a delightful way to create a traditional Mexican treat the whole family will love.
5. Tres Leches Cake
Tres leches, meaning “three milks,” is a rich and ultra-moist Mexican cake made with three types of milk. This decadent dessert absorbs the sweet flavors beautifully. Topped with light whipped cream, it balances the heaviness perfectly, and for an extra twist, pair it with a shot of tequila!
6. Sweet Mexican Corn Cake
Mexican sweet corn cake is a moist, flavorful dessert, bursting with corn from three different sources: corn flour, cornmeal, and whole corn. Its unique texture and rich flavor make it the perfect way to end any meal. Top it with caramel, ice cream, or powdered sugar for an irresistible treat!
7. Sopapillas
Sopapillas are light, fluffy dough squares, deep-fried to golden perfection. Often compared to Indian fry bread, they’re sometimes filled with taco meat for a savory snack or berries and cream for dessert. For a simple yet impactful twist, just add powdered sugar and honey for a sweet, irresistible treat.
8. Mexican Buñuelos
A bunuelo is a delicious Mexican dessert that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, often compared to a mix between a donut and a churro. Commonly served during the holidays, bunuelos can be enjoyed any time, coated in cinnamon sugar or paired with Mexican hot chocolate.
9. Impossible Choco Flan Cake
This flan cake recipe is a delicious and magical dessert featuring a chocolate cake layer, vanilla flan, and cajeta (caramel) topping. During baking, the layers magically reverse, making it perfect for special occasions like birthdays and Cinco de Mayo. It’s an easy, decadent treat the whole family will love!
10. Mexican Wedding Cakes
You don’t need a wedding to savor Mexican wedding cakes—make them anytime at home! Known as polvorones or snowballs, these cookies are sweet, tender, and buttery with a nutty flavor. Despite their sophisticated appearance, they’re surprisingly easy to prepare. Enjoy these delightful treats whenever you like!
11. Rice Pudding
Mexican rice pudding, or Arroz Con Leche, is a delightful dessert with just four ingredients: milk, sugar, rice, and cinnamon. It’s luscious, sweet, and perfect served warm or cold. For added flavor, consider raisins, shredded coconut, or a splash of tequila. This treat is sure to please your sweet tooth!
12. Pineapple Empanadas
Sweet pineapple filling in an empanada? Absolutely! While I typically savor empanadas as a savory treat, pineapple empanadas are a delightful surprise. The sweet, gooey filling paired with a crispy, buttery crust creates a tropical flavor sensation. Plus, making these sweet pockets at home is surprisingly easy!
13. Mexican Sweet Bread (Conchas)
Mexican sweet bread, or conchas, is beloved for its unique shell shape and sweet, tender texture. Popular in Mexican cuisine, it’s traditionally topped with white frosting. However, this recipe adds a delicious twist with a chocolate topping—because who doesn’t love chocolate? Enjoy making authentic conchas at home!
14. Mexican Sweet Corn Cake (Pastel De Elote)
Okay, you got me! I’m showcasing another Mexican sweet corn cake recipe because I love it so much. Using a bundt pan ensures those beautiful ridges for cajeta to ooze over. Like before, this cake bursts with corn flavor and is delightful with cajeta, whipped cream, or powdered sugar. Enjoy!
15. Buñuelos
As we’ve explored the donut-shaped bunuelos, let’s now dive into their flattened counterpart, also known as elephant ears. This popular fair treat is easy to make at home and comes together in minutes. No need to wait for the next fair—enjoy these fantastic flat bunuelos anytime!
16. Dulce De Leche Donuts
Dulce de leche is irresistibly sweet and perfect for desserts. Try these donuts with a luscious dulce de leche filling. Simply use mini-biscuit dough, dulce de leche, butter, and powdered sugar. This easy recipe delivers a quick, decadent treat that’s sure to delight with every bite. Enjoy!
17. Sopapilla Cheesecake
If you’re craving a fusion of cheesecake and crispy sopapillas, try sopapilla cheesecake bars. These bars blend flaky crescent dough with creamy cheesecake and a sprinkle of sweet cinnamon sugar. Enjoy the ultimate dessert combination that perfectly marries the best of both worlds—cheesecake and sopapillas.
18. Rumchata Cheesecake
For a slice of dessert bliss, indulge in this RumChata cheesecake. Combining creamy cheese with the warm, spicy notes of RumChata liqueur, it creates a heavenly treat. Each bite feels like floating on a cloud, making it a delightful addition to your collection of Mexican recipes.
19. Apple Pie Taquitos
This apple pie taquitos recipe offers a playful spin on the classic dessert. The familiar flavors of apple pie are wrapped in a crispy tortilla shell, delivering a warm, gooey filling with every bite. Topped with a rich caramel drizzle, these taquitos are irresistibly delicious and perfect for seconds!
20. Churro Chips
Snack like a champ with these addictive churro chips! Coated in cinnamon sugar and shaped into crispy triangles, they deliver pure joy in just five minutes. Perfect for satisfying sweet cravings or as a crunchy complement to your Mexican dishes, this treat is guaranteed to delight your taste buds.
21. Apple Pie Enchiladas
Try these apple pie enchiladas for a delightful twist on a classic dessert. Warm apple pie filling is wrapped in soft tortillas and baked to perfection. Drizzled with sweet caramel sauce, this Mexican-inspired treat offers a cozy and delicious new take on traditional apple pie.
22. Mexican Hot Chocolate
Say hello to homemade Mexican hot chocolate—a heart-warming, soul-satisfying drink. Made with love and 100% unsweetened cocoa powder, it’s mixed with milk, cinnamon, and a hint of chili for a cozy kick. For an adult twist, add a splash of tequila and enjoy a perfect evening treat.
23. Horchata
Last on our list is horchata, a beloved Mexican dessert drink that adds a delightful sweetness to any meal. Made from rice (or other grains) and milk, seasoned with sugar and cinnamon, and served over ice, horchata is both refreshing and indulgent. I hope this recipe makes it a favorite of yours too!
