13 Mexican Desserts

Sugary churros, refreshing paletas, and the milkiest cake out there

By August 01, 2012

Tres Leches
Matt Taylor-Gross

From doughy fried churros to a refreshing mango raspado, these 13 traditional Mexican desserts delightfully sweeten the end of any meal.

Tres Leches Cake

Popular throughout Latin America, this milk-soaked cake is thought to have originated in Nicaragua. Get the recipe for Tres Leches Cake »

Mezcal Chiffon Cake

Smoky mezcal and bright pomelo zest flavor this airy, eggy chiffon cake, the perfect quick dessert. Get the recipe for Mezcal Chiffon Cake »

Churros con Chocolate Caliente (Mexican Fritters with Hot Chocolate)

Ruben Ortega, a native of Puebla and the pastry chef at Hugo’s in Houston, Texas, shared his recipe for long, fluted fritters, served with thick hot chocolate for dunking. Get the recipe for Churros con Chocolate Caliente (Mexican Fritters with Hot Chocolate) »

Impossible Chocolate Flan

This dessert, also called chocoflan, gets its name from a magical thing that occurs in the oven. Get the recipe for Impossible Chocolate Flan »

Mexican Chocolate Icebox Cookies

At brunch at the Liberty Bar in San Antonio, a plate of these spicy-sweet cookies is set down on the table at the beginning of the meal—gratis. Featured in our book Best Cookies, they make a perfect cookie for holiday parties, especially when drizzled with a little melted white chocolate.

Pineapple Ice Pops (Paletas de Piña)

With just two ingredients—puréed pineapple and sugar—these paletas are unbelievably simple to assemble. Get the recipe for Pineapple Ice Pops (Paletas de Piña) »

Galletas con Chochitos (Mexican Butter Cookies with Sprinkles)

Tiny, ring-shaped butter cookies like these are a popular holiday treat in Mexico. Get the recipe for Galletas con Chochitos (Mexican Butter Cookies with Sprinkles)

If You’re Already A Rice Pudding Expert, You’ve Got To Try Rice Pudding Ice Pops

Rice Pudding Ice Pops (Paletas de Arroz con Leche)

Mango Ice (Raspado de Mango)

This refreshing frozen treat, made from bottled or fresh mango juice, is a Mexican version of granita.

Polvorones (Pecan Shortbread Cookies)

Pecans, a staple on holiday tables, make an appearance in these delicate shortbread cookies flavored with cinnamon and vanilla that are a popular treat in Mexico. Get the recipe for Polvorones (Pecan Shortbread Cookies) »

Tamarind-Chile Ice Pops (Paletas de Tamarindo y Chile)

We love the combination of spicy ancho chile powder with sweet-sour tamarind. Get the recipe for Tamarind-Chile Ice Pops (Paletas de Tamarindo y Chile) »

Mexican Bread Pudding (Capirotada)

This satisfying dessert uses piloncillo, a type of brown sugar used in Mexican cooking. Get the recipe for Mexican Bread Pudding (Capirotada) »

Paletas de Fresas y Crema (Strawberries and Cream Ice Pops)

Strawberries and cream is one of the hundreds of flavors of paleta that you’ll find in Mexico. Get the recipe for Paletas de Fresas y Crema (Strawberries and Cream Ice Pops)

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