20 Authentic Mexican Desserts
Updated: Oct. 27, 2020Celebrate every day with these authentic Mexican desserts, including Mexican wedding cookies, fried ice cream, tres leches cake and more.
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Mole New Mexican Wedding Cookies
Heat and sweet is such an amazing combination that you’ll find in many Mexican foods. 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
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Mexican Cinnamon Cookies
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
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Homemade Churros
These fried cinnamon-sugar goodies from the Country Woman Test Kitchen are best when fresh and hot. Try them with cups of coffee or hot chocolate. Don't be surprised if people start dunking...and then go back for more fritters. 4 / 20
Sopaipillas
Light, crispy pastry puffs, sopaipillas are a sweet way to round out a spicy meal. They make a nice winter dessert served warm and topped with honey or sugar. —Mary Anne McWhirter, Pearland, Texas 5 / 20
Orange-Chili Chocolate Cookies
I love spicy chocolate so I came up with this recipe. Because it starts with a packaged sugar cookie mix, it's super easy! And orange, cinnamon and cayenne are a surprising combo that can't be beat.—Debbie Blunt, Wickenburg, Arizona 6 / 20
Mexican Tea Cookies
Mexican tea cookies are a holiday favorite in our family. I updated the recipe by frosting them with a buttercream made with dulce de leche. They are tender, crumbly cookies that everyone enjoys. —David Ross, Spokane Valley, Washington 7 / 20
Mexican Wedding Cakes
As part of a Mexican tradition, I tucked these tender cookies into small gift boxes for the guests at my sister's wedding a few years ago. Most folks gobbled them up before they ever got home! —Sarita Johnston, San Antonio, Texas 8 / 20
Mexican Chocolate Sugar Crisps
My grandma loved these so much, she would hide them from my grandpa! I think of her every time I make a batch. Like Mexican spice? Try stirring in a little chili powder. —Michele Lovio, Thousand Oaks, California 9 / 20
Classic Tres Leches Cake
Tres leches means "three milks." This cake gets its name because it uses three kinds of milk—evaporated, condensed and cream. This cake's light and airy texture has made it a classic in Mexican kitchens for generations. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 10 / 20
Creamy Caramel Flan
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 11 / 20
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Cookies
I need to avoid gluten and have tried transforming my favorite recipes to fit my diet. I came up with these cakelike cookies, and no one ever guesses that they’re gluten-free. 12 / 20
Shortcut Tres Leches Cake
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 13 / 20
Cinnamon-Sugar Sweet Potato Pastries
We always have leftover mashed sweet potatoes after our Thanksgiving feast. I take what’s left to make an indulgent filling for sweet potato empanadas. Convenient crescent roll dough makes this recipe easy as pie. —Sarah Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire 14 / 20
Pressure-Cooker Pumpkin Flans
This silky, smooth dessert captures the essence and elegance of fall. I came up with the recipe myself, aiming to make something both luscious and light. —Charles Insler, Cincinnati, Ohio 15 / 20
Arroz Con Leche (Rice Pudding)
Sweet and simple, this creamy 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 16 / 20
No-Fry Fried Ice Cream
This ice cream has a crispy cinnamon coating just like the fried ice cream served at Mexican restaurants, but minus the oily mess. Make ahead of time and freeze until serving. —Tim White, Windsor, ON 17 / 20
Easy Mexican Brownies
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 18 / 20
Mayan Chocolate Biscotti
Those who enjoy Mexican hot chocolate will love every bite of subtle sweetness and heat in this perked-up biscotti. —Chris Michalowski, Dallas, Texas 19 / 20
Dulce de Leche Cheesecake
I'm originally from Paraguay, and dulce de leche reminds me of where I came from. If you can't find it at your grocery store, try caramel ice cream topping instead. It tastes different, but this decadent dessert will still be amazing. —Sonia Lipham, Ranburne, Alabama 20 / 20
Cherry Biscochitos
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 Originally Published: October 27, 2020
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