Got a sweet tooth?
Mexican desserts bring the fun!
Each bite tells a story of tradition and taste, from classics like churros to rich tres leches cake.
These 13 Mexican treats are here to steal the spotlight.
Sweet Mexican Treats: 13 Desserts To Try Now
Mexican sweets are fun, flavorful, and satisfying.
From cinnamon-sugar favourites to creamy classics, they deliver big taste.
Whether new to them or already hooked, there’s more to love.
Here are 13 must-try recipes for sweet Mexican treats.
Also, here’s a handy table showing prep time, cook/bake time and servings for each dessert.
| Dish Name | Prep Time | Cook/Bake Time | Serves |
| 1. Flan | 15 mins | 50 mins | 6 |
| 2. Tres Leches Cake | 25 mins | 30 mins | 12 |
| 3. Churros | 20 mins | 25 mins | 8 |
| 4. Buñuelos | 30 mins | 20 mins | 10 |
| 5. Arroz con Leche | 10 mins | 30 mins | 6 |
| 6. Pan de Muerto | 20 mins | 40 mins | 8 |
| 7. Capirotada | 15 mins | 30 mins | 6 |
| 8. Sopapillas | 20 mins | 15 mins | 8 |
| 9. Carlota de Limón | 20 mins | Chill 4 hrs | 10 |
| 10. Cocada | 15 mins | 25 mins | 12 |
| 11. Horchata | 10 mins | 0 mins | 6 |
| 12. Churro Cheesecake Bars | 25 mins | 30 mins | 9 |
| 13. Cinnamon Bars | 15 mins | 25 mins | 12 |
Recipe 1 – Flan
A silky-smooth custard with a caramel twist, Flan is a must-try in Mexican desserts!
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt sugar in a saucepan until golden, then pour into a baking dish.
Step 2: Blend eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla. Pour over caramel.
Step 3: Place the dish in a water bath and bake for 50-60 minutes.
Step 4: Cool, then shift onto a plate.
Chef’s Tip: Add a splash of rum or orange zest for a fun twist on this Mexican dessert recipe.
Recipe 2 – Tres Leches Cake
Indulge in this ultra-moist cake soaked in three milks, a star of Mexican night!
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 5 eggs, separated
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 can of evaporated milk
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
Step 2: Mix flour and baking powder. Beat egg yolks with 3/4 cup sugar, then add milk and flour.
Step 3: Beat egg whites to stiff peaks, fold into batter. Pour into the pan and bake for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Mix evaporated milk, condensed milk, cream, and vanilla. Pour over cooled cake.
Chef’s Tip: Top with whipped cream and berries for a recipe’s aesthetic boost.
Recipe 3 – Churros
Crispy outside, soft inside, these treats are a staple!
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 cup flour
- Oil for frying
- 1/2 cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon for coating
Instructions
Step 1: Boil water, sugar, salt, and oil. Add flour and stir until dough forms.
Step 2: Pipe dough into hot oil using a star tip. Fry until golden.
Step 3: Roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Chef’s Tip: Pair with chocolate sauce for a classic Mexican night.
Recipe 4 – Buñuelos
These crispy fritters bring festive vibes to your Mexican dessert recipes!
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- Oil for frying
- Cinnamon-sugar for dusting
Instructions
Step 1: Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Add egg and milk to form dough.
Step 2: Roll out thin, cut into circles, and fry until crispy.
Step 3: Dust with cinnamon-sugar.
Chef’s Tip: Drizzle with honey for a sweet twist on this Mexican dessert.
Recipe 5 – Arroz Con Leche
A cosy rice pudding with cinnamon, perfect for any Mexican night!
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cups milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Ground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Cook rice with water and a cinnamon stick until the water is absorbed.
Step 2: Add milk and sugar, and mix until creamy.
Step 3: Stir in vanilla, serve warm or chilled with cinnamon on top.
Chef’s Tip: Toss in raisins for extra texture in this Mexican dessert recipe.
Recipe 6 – Pan De Muerto (Day Of The Dead Bread)
Celebrate Day of the Dead with this sweet bread; it’s a gem!
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp yeast
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- Zest of 1 orange
- Egg wash
- Sugar for topping
Instructions
Step 1: Mix flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add milk, eggs, butter, and zest to form dough.
Step 2: Knead, let rise until doubled. Shape into rounds with “bones” on top.
Step 3: Brush with egg wash, bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle with sugar.
Chef’s Tip: Add anise seeds for authentic flavour in this recipe’s aesthetic.
Recipe 7 – Capirotada
A quirky bread pudding with cheese and nuts, a unique Mexican dessert!
Ingredients
- 4 bolillo rolls, sliced and toasted
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup piloncillo or brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup peanuts
- 1 cup shredded cheese (queso fresco or Monterey Jack)
Instructions
Step 1: Boil water, piloncillo, and cinnamon until syrupy.
Step 2: Layer toasted bread, raisins, peanuts, and cheese in a baking dish.
Step 3: Pour syrup over, bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
Chef’s Tip: Add a fruity kick to this Mexican dessert recipe with apple slices.
Recipe 8 – Sopapillas
Light and puffy, these fried goodies shine in Mexican night spreads!
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp shortening
- 3/4 cup warm water
- Oil for frying
- Honey or powdered sugar
Instructions
Step 2: Roll out, cut into squares, and fry until puffed and golden.
Step 1: Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in shortening, add water to form dough.
Step 3: Serve with honey or dust with powdered sugar.
Chef’s Tip: Stuff with beans for a savoury take on this Mexican dessert.
Recipe 9 – Carlota De LimOn (Lemon Icebox Cake)
A zesty no-bake lime treat with a gorgeous recipe’s aesthetic!
Ingredients
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can of evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- Zest of 1 lime
- Maria cookies
- Lime slices for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Blend condensed milk, evaporated milk, lime juice, and zest.
Step 2: Layer cookies and lime mixture in a dish, starting and ending with lime mixture.
Step 3: Chill for at least 4 hours, garnish with lime slices.
Chef’s Tip: Swap lime for lemon in this refreshing Mexican dessert recipe.
Recipe 10 – Cocada
Chewy coconut bites, a tropical twist on Mexican desserts!
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Mix coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla.
Step 2: Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet.
Step 3: Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until golden.
Chef’s Tip: Add nuts or chocolate chips to elevate this Mexican night treat.
Recipe 11 – Horchata
A sweet, cinnamon-spiked rice drink, a cool Mexican dessert companion!
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice
- 4 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Ground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Soak rice and cinnamon stick in water overnight.
Step 2: Blend mixture, strain through cheesecloth.
Step 3: Add sugar and vanilla, chill, and serve over ice with cinnamon.
Chef’s Tip: Splash in almond milk for a creamy twist on this Mexican dessert recipe.
Recipe 12 – Churro Cheesecake Bars
Elevate your Mexican dessert recipes with these Churro Cheesecake Bars, blending two faves!
Ingredients
- 2 cans of crescent roll dough
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon for topping
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Press one can of dough into a greased 9×13 pan.
Step 2: Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over the dough.
Step 3: Top with the second can of dough. Brush with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar.
Step 4: Bake for 30 minutes, cool, and cut into bars.
Chef’s Tip: Drizzle caramel over these Mexican desserts for extra wow.
Recipe 13 – Cinnamon Bars
Spice up your Mexican night with these Cinnamon Bars, simple yet bold!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream butter and sugar, add egg.
Step 2: Mix in flour, cinnamon, salt, and nuts.
Step 3: Press into a greased 9×13 pan, bake for 20-25 minutes.
Step 4: Cool and cut into bars.
Chef’s Tip: Dust with powdered sugar for a pretty recipe’s aesthetic finish.
