19 Easy Mexican Dessert Recipes Made with Simple Ingredients

Let me guess—you love Mexican food, but when it comes to dessert, you always default to churros and call it a day. No judgment. I did that for years. Then I realized something important: Mexican desserts bring serious comfort, bold flavors, and zero boredom. Think cinnamon, chocolate, caramel, fruit, and creamy textures that feel like a hug.

I cook these desserts when I want something sweet without turning my kitchen into a disaster zone. These recipes stay easy, beginner-friendly, and wildly satisfying. Ever wondered why Mexican desserts feel cozy and exciting at the same time? Let’s talk about it—and cook along while we’re at it.

1. Classic Churros

Churros always win. Crispy outside, soft inside, and dangerously snackable.

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• Oil for frying
• Cinnamon sugar for coating

Instructions

1. Heat water, sugar, and butter until boiling.
2. Stir in flour until dough forms.
3. Cool slightly, then mix in egg.
4. Pipe strips into hot oil and fry until golden.
5. Roll in cinnamon sugar immediately.

IMO, fresh churros beat bakery ones every single time. Who even argues that?

2. Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownies

Chocolate plus spice always feels like a power move.

Ingredients

• 1 box brownie mix
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare brownie batter as directed.
2. Stir in cinnamon, chili, and vanilla.
3. Bake according to package instructions.
4. Cool slightly before slicing.

That gentle heat sneaks up on you—in a good way. Ever tried chocolate without cinnamon afterward? Feels wrong.

3. Tres Leches Cake

This cake stays legendary for a reason.

Ingredients

• 1 sponge cake
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup condensed milk
• 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Poke holes all over the cake.
2. Mix all three milks together.
3. Pour slowly over the cake.
4. Chill for at least 4 hours.

The texture stays soft, moist, and borderline addictive. FYI, leftovers never survive overnight.

4. Arroz con Leche

Rice pudding, but make it exciting.

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice
• 4 cups milk
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

1. Cook rice with water until tender.
2. Add milk, sugar, and cinnamon.
3. Simmer until thick and creamy.
4. Remove cinnamon before serving.

I eat this warm or cold. Why choose?

5. Mexican Flan

Silky. Creamy. Zero effort drama.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 can condensed milk
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

1. Melt sugar into caramel and pour into a mold.
2. Blend remaining ingredients.
3. Pour mixture over caramel.
4. Bake in a water bath for 50 minutes.

That caramel top alone deserves applause.

6. Sopapillas

These puff like magic, no exaggeration.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp sugar
• ¾ cup milk
• Oil for frying

Instructions

1. Mix dry ingredients.
2. Add milk and knead lightly.
3. Cut dough into squares.
4. Fry until puffed and golden.

Drizzle honey and call it happiness.

7. Buñuelos

Crispy, thin, and dangerously snackable.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¾ cup water
• Oil for frying

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients into a dough.
2. Roll paper-thin circles.
3. Fry until crisp.
4. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

They crackle when you bite them. That sound alone sells it.

8. Mexican Chocolate Truffles

No baking. No stress.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dark chocolate
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• Cocoa powder for coating

Instructions

1. Heat cream and pour over chocolate.
2. Stir until smooth.
3. Chill until firm.
4. Roll into balls and coat.

Perfect for lazy dessert nights 🙂

9. Paletas (Mexican Popsicles)

Fruit-forward and refreshing.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fruit puree
• ½ cup sugar
• Lime juice

Instructions

1. Blend all ingredients.
2. Pour into molds.
3. Freeze overnight.

Watermelon or mango always wins.

10. Cajeta (Goat Milk Caramel)

Rich and slow-cooked goodness.

Ingredients

• 4 cups goat milk
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ tsp baking soda

Instructions

1. Simmer everything together.
2. Stir frequently.
3. Cook until thick and caramelized.

Drizzle on pancakes or eat by spoon. I won’t judge.

11. Mexican Wedding Cookies

Soft, crumbly, and nostalgic.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups flour
• ½ cup nuts

Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. Mix in flour and nuts.
3. Bake until set.
4. Dust with sugar.

They melt instantly. That’s the charm.

12. Fried Ice Cream

Hot and cold magic.

Ingredients

• Vanilla ice cream
• Cornflakes
• Cinnamon
• Oil

Instructions

1. Coat ice cream balls in crushed cornflakes.
2. Freeze solid.
3. Fry quickly.

Yes, it feels chaotic. Yes, it works.

13. Empanadas Dulces

Sweet pockets of joy.

Ingredients

• Empanada dough
• Fruit filling
• Sugar

Instructions

1. Fill dough with fruit.
2. Seal edges.
3. Bake until golden.

Apple or pineapple never disappoint.

14. Mexican Sweet Corn Cake

Soft and lightly sweet.

Ingredients

• Cornmeal
• Sugar
• Milk
• Butter

Instructions

1. Mix everything well.
2. Bake until set.
3. Serve warm.

Corn dessert sounds weird until you try it.

15. Chocolate Tamales

Yes, dessert tamales exist—and they slap.

Ingredients

• Masa harina
• Cocoa powder
• Sugar
• Butter

Instructions

1. Mix ingredients into dough.
2. Wrap in corn husks.
3. Steam until cooked.

Soft, rich, and underrated.

16. Lime Cookies

Bright and zesty.

Ingredients

• Flour
• Butter
• Sugar
• Lime zest

Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. Add zest and flour.
3. Bake until lightly golden.

Perfect with tea.

17. Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips

Lazy dessert perfection.

Ingredients

• Flour tortillas
• Butter
• Cinnamon sugar

Instructions

1. Brush tortillas with butter.
2. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar.
3. Bake until crisp.

Snack attacks solved.

18. Mexican Fruit Salad

Fresh, sweet, and spicy.

Ingredients

• Mixed fruit
• Lime juice
• Chili powder

Instructions

1. Chop fruit.
2. Toss with lime and chili.

Sweet heat always wins.

19. Sweet Quesadillas

Dessert meets comfort food.

Ingredients

• Flour tortillas
• Chocolate or fruit
• Butter

Instructions

1. Fill tortillas.
2. Cook until melted.
3. Slice and serve.

Because dessert should feel easy, not stressful :/

Final Thoughts

Mexican desserts don’t ask for perfection. They ask for bold flavors, simple steps, and a little confidence. I make these recipes when I want something comforting without overthinking it. Try one tonight—or try three if you feel wild.

So tell me—which dessert hits your kitchen first?