Are you a big fan of Mexican desserts? I definitely am. Anytime I go out to eat, I always look for Mexican-inspired desserts to order.
I have found that Mexican desserts have tons of flavor. They tend to have the perfect blend of sweetness and spice.
From fried ice cream to tender tres leches cake, Mexican desserts are perfect for your next fiesta.
Tres Leches Cake
Contents
25 Traditional Mexican Desserts
I have searched the internet to find great recipes for 25 classic Mexican desserts. Any of the recipes on this list will be sure to cure your sweet tooth cravings. You may even find something new and exciting that you must try!
1. Mexican Hot Chocolate
The first on our list of authentic Mexican desserts is Mexican hot chocolate. While hot chocolate may be a drink, the rich, creamy, flavor-packed beverage is definitely perfect for dessert.
This decadent recipe from The Chunky Chef uses cayenne pepper to add some heat. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract all help make this dessert pure perfection.
Image Source: The Chunky Chef
2. Fried Ice Cream
Fried ice cream can be found on the dessert menu at most Mexican restaurants. Who can resist the perfect blend of cold and hot fried ice cream?
This treat from Cooking Classy does take a little bit of prep work. The buttery, cinnamon cornflake crust needs time to freeze. Try using chocolate instead of vanilla ice cream for a flavor switch.
Image Source: Cooking Classy
3. Tres Leches Cake
Tres leches cake is an iconic Mexican treat. It may be one of the most well-known Mexican desserts out there.
Tres leches is a soft sponge cake that is soaked in three different kinds of milk. The milk soak makes the cake very soft and juicy. The cake is covered in a light whipped cream frosting and served cold. Natasha’s Kitchen has the perfect tres leches cake recipe that is easy and delicious.
If you are looking for great Mexican desserts, you definitely have to make this recipe!
Image Source: Natasha’s Kitchen
4. Dulce De Leche
Dulce de leche may be more of a dessert sauce than a full Mexican dessert. However, we had to include it on our list because dulce de leche is used in many different Mexican treat recipes.
Dulce de leche is essentially a thick, creamy caramel sauce. It is traditionally made using sweetened condensed milk like this recipe from Preppy Kitchen.
Sweetened condensed milk is boiled for several hours in the can. The condensed milk carmelizes and creates a wonderful brown caramel sauce. You can use your homemade dulce de leche to make many different Mexican dessert recipes, drizzle it over ice cream or just eat it plain with a spoon.
Image Source: Preppy Kitchen
5. Chocoflan
Chocoflan, otherwise known as the impossible cake, combines rich chocolate cake and creamy Mexican flan. The cake is incredibly decadent and really fun to make.
It has been dubbed the impossible cake since mixing chocolate cake and flan seems impossible. However, you can definitely make it and enjoy every bite of this unique Mexican dessert.
This recipe from A Spicy Perspective will show you how to make a delicious chocoflan. This sweet treat is the perfect way to end your Mexican meal.
Image Source: A Spicy Perspective
6. Mexican Rice Pudding
Mexican rice pudding is also knowns as Arroz con Leche. This translates to mean “rice with milk.” We love this version of the classic Mexican dessert from Lil Luna.
Condensed sweetened milk, evaporated milk, and regular milk are all mixed together. The rice is cooked in the milk mix until tender. A little cinnamon sugar sweetens the rich Mexican rice pudding.
Image Source: Lil Luna
7. Mexican Wedding Cookies
Simply Recipes will show you how to make incredible Mexican wedding cookies. The tender, sweet dessert is a real treat. They are traditionally served at weddings thanks to their pure white color. These cookies are sometimes called Mexican wedding cakes. They do look like little cakes!
The bite-sized cookies are made with crushed pecans and lots of butter. They are rolled in powdered sugar and then ready to eat. The cookies melt in your mouth with just one bite. They are a real crowd pleaser!
Image Source: Simply Recipes
8. Flan
Flan is a very traditional Mexican dessert. We had to include it on our list of favorite Mexican desserts.
Caramel flan is a rich custard that is slowly baked, making it nice and smooth. The treat has a caramel sauce baked on top that gives it a rich, sweet flavor. We love this easy vanilla flan recipe from Rasa Malaysia.
Image Source: Rasa Malaysia
9. Sopapillas
Sopapillas are bite-sized pieces of fried dough. They are made with very basic ingredients like flour, water, oil, and salt. The ingredients may be simple, but the intense flavor of sopapillas may make them your favorite Mexican dessert.
Once the dough is made, it is cut and deep-fried. Sprinkle the warm sopapillas with powdered sugar, cinnamon, and sugar, or dip them in honey. This recipe from Gimme Some Oven is sure to be a hit.
Image Source: Gimme Some Oven
10. Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies
These Mexican hot chocolate cookies may not be a traditional Mexican dessert, but they sure do taste great. The chewy cookies from Stress Baking have a little bit of heat, thanks to one of the key ingredients.
Cayenne pepper is baked into the cookies to give them a Mexican flair. Try adding a little extra chili powder to make the cookies even spicier.
Image Source: Stress Baking
11. Churros
Churros are one of the best authentic Mexican desserts. You can find churros at casual street fairs and also fancy restaurants.
Churros are deep-fried, cinnamon sugar sticks. Make this tasty churros recipe from Recipe Tin Eats to try this incredible, tasty treat. Dip the churros in warm chocolate sauce for an even better taste.
Image Source: Recipe Tin Eats
12. Horchata
Horchata is not just a Mexican dessert, but it is also a refreshing drink. Horchata is sweetened rice milk. It is made with cinnamon, sugar, and white rice.
You can enjoy horchata after any Mexican dinner as a dessert or simply sip some on a hot day. This easy recipe from Downshiftology will help you make this classic drink.
Image Source: Downshiftology
13. Dessert Nachos
Dessert nachos are a modern spin on classic Mexican food. What could be better than nachos made into a dessert?!
Flour tortillas are deep-fried and tossed in cinnamon and sugar. The sweet nacho chips are drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped with your favorite sweet fruit.
This recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction tops the nachos with homemade whipped cream. Heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla are whipped together until nice and fluffy. You can also drizzle your dessert nachos with cream cheese icing for a decadent treat.
Image Source: Sally’s Baking Addiction
14. Sweet Mexican Corn Cakes
Corn is used in many classic Mexican foods. Mexican desserts often feature corn in the form of masa harina flour. These sweet corn cakes from Chef in Training highlight the taste of corn perfectly.
Make the corn cakes into bite-sized mini cakes, or try baking the batter in a larger cake pan. Drizzle them with a little chocolate sauce for an extra treat.
Image Source: Chef in Training
15. Mexican Bunuelos
Bunuelos are a very thin, fried treat that is a classic treat in Mexico. Bunuelos are especially popular around Christmas time.
Image Source: Mexico in My Kitchen
This authentic recipe from Mexico in My Kitchen shows you how to make incredible bunuelos. Sprinkle the warm treat with cinnamon and sugar or a simple drizzle of honey. They are definitely best when eaten right after cooking.
16. Apple Empanadas
Empanadas are classic Mexican food. They also make a great sweet treat. This recipe from Archana’s Kitchen shows you how to make perfect, easy empanadas that you can serve after any Mexican meal.
Puff pastry is the key to making quick empanadas. The flakey pastry is perfect for baking or deep frying. The sweet apple filling tastes like a small, handheld apple pie. This may become one of your favorite dessert recipes.
Image Source: Archana’s Kitchen
17. Fried Plantains
Fried plantains are a very simple Mexican sweet treat. Ripe plantains are fried in butter until they are golden brown. Sprinkle the fried plantains with some cinnamon and sugar, or drizzle them with chocolate sauce. This recipe from Grandbaby Cakes tastes great plain as well!
Image Source: Grandbaby Cakes
18. Conchas
Conchas are Mexican sweet bread. They are shaped and molded to look like shells. The word concha actually means shell in Spanish.
This easy-to-follow recipe from A Cozy Kitchen will show you how to make delicious conchas. They are often served as breakfast food but make a great dessert as well!
Image Source: A Cozy Kitchen
19. Coconut Lime Cookies
These coconut lime cookies are a twist on the classic Mexican wedding cookie. This recipe from Once Upon a Chef uses shredded coconut and lime zest to flavor the sweet cookies. Easy recipes like this make it simple to make the best Mexican desserts!
Image Source: Once Upon a Chef
20. Mango Chili Paletas
Paletas are Mexican popsicles. They are a summer staple in Mexican cuisine. We love these mango chili paletas from The Pioneer Woman. They are a little sweet but also slightly spicy. Chili powder gives the cold treat some nice heat. If you are looking for a light dessert that requires no cooking, this is one you should choose!
Image Source: The Pioneer Woman
21. Pumpkin Flan
This fall-flavored dessert is quite popular in Mexico and the US as well. It is a fun twist on the classic caramel flan.
We love the pumpkin flan recipe from Food Fanatic. You may also hear this flan called flan de calabazas which simply translates to pumpkin flan! This recipe calls for a wonderful blend of spices that bring out the pumpkin taste.
Image Source: Food Fanatic
22. Ice Cream Tacos
If you love tacos and ice cream, why not combine the two to make ice cream tacos? This recipe from Half Baked Harvest will guide you toward this decadent dessert. Try using Mexican chocolate ice cream to make the dessert even more authentic.
This recipe is easy to make in advance. Assemble the ice cream tacos and freeze until you are ready to enjoy them.
Image Source: Half Baked Harvest
23. Mexican Brownies
Mexican style brownies add a nice spice to the classic chocolate brownie. Try this simple creation from Real Housemoms.
Fudgey brownies are laced with a little cayenne pepper. One bite of these brownies will surprise and delight you!
Image Source: Real Housemoms
24. Dulce De Leche Cheesecake Bars
Cheesecake bars may be one of the best desserts for serving at a party or buffet. They are easy to make and also easy to eat with your hands.
We adore these dulce de leche cheesecake bars from The Recipe Critic. They are packed with sweet caramel flavor. Tangy cream cheese makes the bars taste like mini cheesecakes.
Image Source: The Recipe Critic
25. Churro Chips
This fun twist on classic churros is easy to make and easy to eat. Churro chips have many sweet flavors and are especially great when dipped into chocolate sauce or dulce de leche.
Try this quick recipe from Kevin is Cooking. The fried chips are topped with fresh whipped cream and a drizzle of homemade dulce.
Image Source: Kevin is Cooking
Amazing Mexican Dessert Recipes from Fried Ice Cream to Mexican Hot Chocolate
We hope you found some tasty Mexican dessert ideas on our list. There were plenty of treats that we wanted to try right away!
Next time you plan a traditional Mexican dinner, be sure to incorporate delicious Mexican desserts. From tres leches cake to dulce de leche laced sweets, we love them all! Enjoy.
Leave a Reply