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    Home » Learn » What is Piloncillo?

    What is Piloncillo?

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted August 4, 2020 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Two piloncillo cones next to grated sugar and a metal grater.

    Piloncillo is raw, pure sugar cane. It is unprocessed, brown in color, and cone-shaped. It is used in many Mexican recipes as a sweetener or as a spice.

    Some people like to say it tastes like molasses. Although, there is NO molasses in it. No additives either.

    Just sweet and yummy sugar cane.

    Hand holding a piloncillo cone over a wooden cutting board.

    Types

    There are different types of piloncillo. Light (or blanco) and dark (or oscura). Both are cone shaped. The light version has a milder molasses taste than the dark version.

    The dark version is rich and has almost a burned caramel taste, and that is what is most commonly found in the US.

    How it’s made

    Piloncillo is made by boiling cane sugar juice. It is then poured into cone-shaped molds where it hardens and cools. That’s how it gets in cone shape.

    A piloncillo cone in plastic wrap sitting on top of a wooden cutting board.

    How to Store It

    We are talking about sugar here. Sugar can attract ants and other unwanted bugs.

    Store it in an airtight, vacuum-sealed package for up to a year. Choose a dry area that is cool and dark.

    If you only use some of it, store the rest in a plastic bag that is sealable. Remove as much air as possible before sealing.

    Substitution

    These days, it is very easily found online or at the store.

    However, if you still can’t find and absolutely need it for a recipe, here is how to substitute it.

    You can substitute 1 cup of dark brown sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses for 1 8-ounce cone.

    Two piloncillo cones next to grated sugar and a metal grater.

    It’s not brown sugar.

    Piloncillo may have similar taste and look like brown sugar. Some people even call it “Mexican brown sugar,” but they are NOT the same.

    Brown sugar is white sugar with molasses in it. Piloncillo is raw cane sugar.

    Easy to confuse, for sure! Especially since the two are changeable in many, many recipes.

    The name game

    In other Latin American countries, piloncillo is called panela or panocha.

    Please note: If you ask for panela in a Mexican grocery store, they will show you to the cheese section.

    Panela in Mexico is a soft cheese used in many Mexican recipes like Panela en Salsa.

    The bottom of a piloncillo cone next to grated sugar.

    How to Use It

    There are a number of tasty desserts that use piloncillo like capirotada, champurrado, cafe de la olla, camotes enmielados.

    It can also be used for savory dishes like Piloncillo Chipotle Ham.

    Many Mexican cooks will leave the cone as is when making a sauce. If you are only using some of the cone, grate it with a grater. Or, chop it up into pieces using a knife.

    If the cone is too hard and you want to chop it, place it in the microwave at 10-second intervals until it is soft. Be careful when handling, though. Hot sugar can burn.

    A stand with several piloncillo cones.

    Piloncillo is used as a sweetener for desserts, and because of rich, deep flavor, it can be used as a spice. Try it on coffee instead of sugar or on oatmeal. It’s a sweet treat you can’t beat!

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    Filed Under: Learn

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Hina Abbasi

      August 5, 2020 at 12:13 am

      Hey maggie this is an amazing & more unique recipe and it looks soo good..i will made it few days later…Thanks for sharing…….! https://www.mixergrinderguide.in

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 7, 2020 at 1:04 pm

        It’s delicious. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    2. Monica Simpson

      August 5, 2020 at 8:32 pm

      I have never heard of this before. The way it’s described it sounds like I would love it. I like the idea of putting in oatmeal.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 7, 2020 at 1:03 pm

        Tastes really good! You would love it.

        Reply
    3. Jennifer Van Haitsma

      August 6, 2020 at 4:03 am

      I have never heard of this! Thanks for teaching me something new.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 7, 2020 at 1:02 pm

        You’re welcome. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    4. Joline

      August 6, 2020 at 6:18 am

      So interesting! I’d love to bake with that. Wish I could find it here.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 7, 2020 at 1:05 pm

        Interesting and delicious!

        Reply
    5. Catalina

      August 6, 2020 at 7:22 am

      I am so curious to try piloncillo! Sounds healthy and the best alternate to the normal sugar!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 7, 2020 at 1:01 pm

        It’s really yummy! I think you will love it.

        Reply
    6. Kathy

      August 6, 2020 at 8:34 am

      This is the first time I’ve heard of this. I’m glad I know about it now. It looks like something I’d use too. I like how it’s shaped, that’s kinda neat!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 7, 2020 at 1:01 pm

        Neat and delicious! Hope you try it.

        Reply
    7. Janeane M Davis

      August 6, 2020 at 8:50 am

      You can learn something new every day if you try. I hve never heard of piloncillo before and I am glad I learned about it today.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 7, 2020 at 1:00 pm

        It’s delicious!

        Reply
    8. Beth

      August 6, 2020 at 9:51 am

      Piloncillo is a new ingredient for me. I’d love to try some in my coffee.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 7, 2020 at 1:00 pm

        This ingredient is the best! Glad you liked it.

        Reply
    9. Swathi

      August 6, 2020 at 10:23 pm

      Love Piloncillo, I used to substitute for Indian Jaggery. Thanks for sharing this useful post.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 7, 2020 at 1:05 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this Swathi!

        Reply

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