19 Irresistible Mexican Sweets You’ll Crave

These Mexican desserts are incredibly tasty and extremely satisfying. From soft and sweet breads to rich and creamy custards, there is a huge variety of wonderful choices for you to pick from. They are perfect for when you just need something sweet but are also special enough to impress your friends and family. Get ready to enjoy some truly yummy treats that are almost impossible to resist eating.

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Table of Contents

1 Ensalada de Frutas (Mexican Fruit Salad)
2 Jericalla
3 Homemade Mazapan Candy
4 Empanadas de Cajeta (Caramel Empanadas)
5 Hojarascas (Mexican Shortbread Cookies)
6 Conchas
7 Cortadillos (Mexican Pink Cake)
8 Mantecadas (Mexican Muffins)
9 Fresas con Crema (Strawberry and Cream)
10 Tres Leches Cake (Pastel de Tres Leches)
11 Flan
12 Dulce de Leche Ice Cream
13 Orejas (Palmiers)
14 Pan de Polvo Cookies
15 Mexican Arroz con Leche
16 Panqué de Nuez (Pecan Pound Cake)
17 Carlota de Limon
18 Mexican Fried Bananas
19 Mexican Buñuelos

Ensalada de Frutas (Mexican Fruit Salad)

A dessert bowl filled with a colorful fruit salad that includes grapes, strawberries, and kiwi, all mixed and coated in a creamy yogurt. A golden spoon is placed inside the bowl. A blurred bowl with more fruit is visible in the background. — Ensalada de Frutas. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

A mix of fresh, colorful fruits is combined in a bowl and often topped with a creamy dressing or a sprinkle of chili powder. This Ensalada de Frutas is a simple and yummy fruit salad that you can put together in just a few minutes for a light dessert.
Get the recipe: Ensalada de Frutas

Jericalla

This is a very indulgent and creamy Mexican custard that bakes until the top becomes nicely charred and dark while the inside stays smooth. Jericalla is a simple dessert that will be the highlight of any dinner party you have because it is so rich and delicious.
Get the recipe: Jericalla

Homemade Mazapan Candy

Four pieces of handmade, round-shaped dulce de leche fudge are arranged on a colorful, decorative plate. The fudge appears creamy and slightly crumbly. In the background, a red rose and bowl are faintly visible. — Mazapan. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Finely ground peanuts are blended with powdered sugar to create a crumbly and sweet candy that melts in your mouth when you eat it. This Homemade Mazapan Candy is a deliciously light treat that is very popular and easy to find in Mexico as a simple snack.
Get the recipe: Mazapan

Empanadas de Cajeta (Caramel Empanadas)

Top view of a plate with two flaky pastries cut in half, revealing their cinnamon-sugar coating. To the right is a cooling rack with more pastries, and a jar of spread with a spoon inside it sits above the plate. — Empanadas de Cajeta. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

A flaky and buttery pastry crust is filled with a gooey, rich caramel made from goat’s milk for a wonderfully sweet dessert. These Empanadas de Cajeta are just what you need when you want something special, and they are a real treat for anyone who loves caramel.
Get the recipe: Empanadas de Cajeta

Hojarascas (Mexican Shortbread Cookies)

A close-up of Mexican shortbread cookies on a gold, round plate. — Hojarascas. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

These are traditional Mexican shortbread cookies that are coated in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon after they bake for extra sweetness. Hojarascas have a crumbly texture that makes them a perfect snack with coffee or milk, and one batch is never enough.
Get Recipe: Hojarascas

Conchas

This recipe makes a sweet bread that is incredibly soft and fluffy, with a sugary topping that is shaped like a seashell on top. Mexican Conchas are a classic breakfast pastry, and they are so tasty that you will probably fall in love after just one single bite.
Get the recipe: Conchas

Cortadillos (Mexican Pink Cake)

Two slices of freshly baked Mexican Cortadillos sitting next to each other. — Cortadillos. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

A super soft cake is loaded with colorful sprinkles and then finished with a thick layer of sweet pink frosting on top for a fun look. Cortadillos, which are also called Mexican Pink Cake, are the perfect homemade treat for any party or celebration you have.
Get the recipe: Cortadillos

Mantecadas (Mexican Muffins)

A golden-brown muffin in a red paper liner sits on a decorative plate with blue floral patterns. In the background, another muffin and part of a blue and white patterned cup are visible. The scene is set on a white cloth. — Mantecadas. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These are simple and tasty Mexican muffins that have a moist texture and a light, buttery flavor that is not too sweet. Mantecadas are really easy to make from scratch, and they can be ready to eat in just a little while for a quick snack.
Get the Recipe: Mantecadas

Fresas con Crema (Strawberry and Cream)

A glass bowl filled with sliced strawberries coated in creamy yogurt, with a fork resting inside. The bowl is placed on a white cloth, and several fresh strawberries and strawberry slices are scattered around it on a wooden surface. — Fresas con Crema. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Fresh, juicy strawberries are mixed with a sweet and creamy sauce made from cream, condensed milk, and sometimes a bit of vanilla. Fresas con Crema is a delicious and simple Mexican dessert that you will love eating every single time you make it.
Get the Recipe: Fresas con Crema

Tres Leches Cake (Pastel de Tres Leches)

A slice of white cake topped with whipped cream and fresh raspberries is placed on a white plate. A blurred background with a textured cloth and additional berries can be seen. The cake appears soft and moist, with a golden brown edge and a light, fluffy interior. — Tres Leches Cake. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

A light sponge cake is soaked in a mixture of three different kinds of milk, which makes it incredibly moist and full of sweet flavor. This Tres Leches Cake is a classic Mexican dessert that will quickly become your new favorite treat for special occasions.
Get the recipe: Pastel de Tres Leches

Flan

A smooth and creamy vanilla custard is baked until it is set and then topped with a delicious, runny caramel sauce that drips down the sides. Flan is a super popular dessert that is rich, creamy, and really tasty after a big meal with your family.
Get the recipe: Flan

Dulce de Leche Ice Cream

A close-up of a scoop of caramel ice cream in a waffle cone. The ice cream is drizzled with a thick, glossy caramel sauce, creating a mouth-watering and indulgent treat against a plain, light gray background. — Dulce de Leche Ice Cream. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

A creamy ice cream base is swirled with a rich and sweet caramel sauce made from cooked milk for an indulgent frozen treat. Every spoonful of this Dulce de Leche Ice Cream is super yummy and will take you to a whole new world of sweetness.
Get Recipe: Dulce de Leche Ice Cream

Orejas (Palmiers)

A close-up photograph of various baked goods, with a prominent heart-shaped pastry in the foreground. The pastries rest on a lace doily atop a wooden surface. Other baked items, including a concha and a mini muffin, are also visible in the background. — Orejas. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This light and buttery treat is made from puff pastry that is rolled with sugar and then baked until it is crispy and flaky. Orejas, which are also known as palmiers, are a favorite in Mexican bakeries and are very easy to bake at home.
Get Recipe: Orejas

Pan de Polvo Cookies

These are extra soft cookies that are flavored with a bit of anise and then rolled in a mix of cinnamon and sugar after baking. The warm spices in Pan de Polvo Cookies make them a perfect treat to enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee.
Get Recipe: Pan de Polvo

Mexican Arroz con Leche

A glass mug filled with a creamy dessert topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick. The dessert appears to contain raisins and is placed on a wooden board with some scattered cinnamon powder around. — Arroz con Leche. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Rice is slowly cooked with milk, cinnamon, and sugar until it becomes a thick and creamy pudding that is both sweet and comforting. You will enjoy the sweet taste of this Mexican Arroz con Leche, a perfect dessert that is very hard to stop eating.
Get the recipe: Mexican Arroz con Leche

Panqué de Nuez (Pecan Pound Cake)

A loaf of banana bread topped with chopped pecans and caramel glaze sits on a wooden board, with one slice cut and lying in front of the loaf. — Panque de Nuez. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This is a dense yet soft pound cake that is packed with the nutty flavor of pecans and sometimes topped with a caramel glaze. Panqué de Nuez is a dessert that is sure to be a big hit at any gathering or party you bring it to.
Get the Recipe: Panqué de Nuez

Carlota de Limon

Layers of crisp cookies and a creamy, tangy lime filling are stacked together in a dish and then chilled until they are firm. Carlota de Limón is a super tasty and easy Mexican icebox cake that needs no baking, making it a perfect treat for any time.
Get the recipe: Carlota de Limon

Mexican Fried Bananas

A black and white patterned plate filled with caramelized, sliced bananas drizzled with creamy sauce. A fork rests on the edge of the plate. The dish appears rich and appetizing, suitable for a dessert or sweet snack. — Mexican Fried Bananas. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Ripe bananas are sliced and then fried in a pan with butter and a bit of sugar until they become soft and caramelized. These Mexican Fried Bananas make a simple and yummy treat that everyone will love, and they are very quick to make.
Get the recipe: Mexican Fried Bananas

Mexican Buñuelos

Bunuelos stacked up on top of each other and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. — Bunuelos. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These are thin, flat disks of fried dough that are covered in a sweet cinnamon sugar coating for a crispy and delicious treat. You can serve Mexican Buñuelos at your next party, and everyone will love the sweet, crispy textures that they provide.
Get the recipe: Mexican Buñuelos