30 Mexican Desserts For The Holidays

These 30 Mexican Desserts for the holidays taste like heaven and will satisfy your sweet tooth. Special enough for any holiday get together.

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This post was first published in November 2022 and updated December 2024 with new recipes.

This time of year is full of celebration and offers up plenty of occasions to indulge in many traditional dishes including a sweet treat or two. In our house the holidays really start with pan de muerto for Día de los Muertos and don’t end until we’ve had that perfect slice of Rosca de Reyes on Día de los Reyes.

Whether you love traditional Mexican dessert recipes like Mexican sweet corn cake (pastel de elote) or more Tex-Mex desserts like sopapilla cheesecake bars, I think this list will give you plenty of options for making and serving the delicious Mexican desserts you love this holiday season.

Below you’ll find the perfect delicious dessert to serve for that upcoming special occasion. Happy Holidays!

Mexican Desserts For The Holidays

1. Authentic Tres Leches Cake

Traditional Mexican cake soaked in three different kinds of milk and topped with a whipped cream frosting. Sprinkle with cinnamon and raspberries—or both! A must-have for any Mexican food lover.

A piece of tres leches cake topped with a pile of raspberries sitting on a gold rimmed plate with a fork on one side.

2. Easy Sopapilla Recipe

This sopapilla recipe is so easy to make and they come out light as air and crisp every time. Deep fry the pastry until it is light and golden and then drizzle with honey or sprinkle with powdered sugar. A delicious way to end any Mexican dinner.

Two sopapillas sitting on a white plate dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with honey next to a cup of espresso.

3. Mexican Chocolate Sweet Tamales with Hot Honey

If you’ve never had dessert tamales you are in for a real treat! These chocolate tamales are like the best warm chocolate cake topped with a spicy honey. We always make these for Cinco de Mayo but they are excellent on Christmas Eve as well.

A chocolate tamal sitting on a plate with a bite taken out of it. There is a fork on the side holding a piece of the tamal.

4. Authentic Arroz Con Leche

Luscious and rich this Mexican rice pudding is everyone’s favorite dessert. Serve warm, cold, or room temperature.

A rectangular dish holding a serving of Arroz Con Leche topped with sliced fresh strawberries and a whole strawberry.

5. Churros with Mexican Hot Chocolate Sauce

Want to really WOW your guests (especially lovers of Mexican cuisine)? Make a batch of homemade churros! This technique will show you how to make them ahead then just fry them to order when you’re ready.

A baking sheet lined with parchment paper and several churros coated in cinnamon and sugar on the baking sheet.

6. Simple and Quick Champurrado

What about a sweet drink? This Champurrado will be the hit of your party. Similar to hot chocolate, Champurrado is a cozy, chocolatey drink made with masa harina, chocolate, and piloncillo (or brown sugar). Ready in 10 minutes!

A rainbow placemat with two cups of Champurrado on them and a plate of tamales with a fork on the plate sitting on a gray table.

7. Fresas Con Crema (Fresh Strawberries and Cream)

One of the easiest and most delicious desserts you’ll ever make. This Mexican Fresas con Crema recipe has 4 ingredients, takes 10 minutes tops, and is loved by everyone! Definitely a must-make this holiday season.

Fresas con crema in several cups on a blue tile next to some spoons.

8. Flan!

Great for parties and gatherings because this silky custard has to be made ahead. Made with simple ingredients like eggs, sweetened condensed milk, and the surprise ingredient—ricotta cheese. This caramel flan will knock your socks off.

A baking sheet with a rectangular flan on it with caramel sauce dripping down the sides sitting on a wood table.

9. Atole

Serve your guests warm mugs of this creamy cinnamon and corn drink to go with their tamales or enjoy on its own. The flavor is sweet and soothing and is perfect for chilly holiday evenings.

A girl in a pink sweater holding a blue mug full of atole with a cinnamon stick sticking out of the mug.

10. Strawberry Tamales with Horchata Sauce

Another sweet tamal made with ripe, red strawberries and drizzled with creamy horchata sauce. Perfect for Las Posadas, Christmas, or any holiday party.

Two strawberry tamales sitting on a pink platter surrounded by strawberries and drizzled with horchata sauce.

11. Polvorones

Want to bake up some special holiday cookies? These Polvorones are just like the ones you get from the Mexican bakery. For an extra special treat serve with fried ice cream.

Several large sugar cookies coated in sprinkles with more rainbow sprinkles all around on a silpat baking sheet.

12. Fresh Sweet Corn Tamales {Tamales de Elote}

This homemade corn tamales recipe is so delicious! They are sweet tamales that taste just like warm, lightly sweetened cornbread. These tamales are made with fresh sweet corn, masa quebrada, cinnamon, and vanilla. A light drizzle of crema, caramel sauce and a bit of queso fresco makes them perfect.

A tamal on a white plate drizzled with cream

13. Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

Ultra-moist, extra-fluffy tres leches cake infused with juicy strawberries in every bite. This gorgeous layer cake is a real stunner. Perfect for holiday gatherings.

A strawberry tres leches layer cake with a piece taken out and covered in whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

14. Chocoflan {Impossible Cake}

Super moist and fudgy chocolate cake on the bottom and silky vanilla flan on the top, this Chocoflan recipe might seem complicated but it’s actually pretty easy to make. It goes in the oven one way and comes out another!

A woman standing behind a Chocoflan on a cake stand on a wood table.

15. Mexican Wedding Cookies

Chopped pecans, vanilla, and orange zest plus the best crunchy texture make these Mexican Wedding Cookies a favorite holiday treat. Bonus? They’re pretty easy to make. Check out the video!

A santa plate with Mexican wedding cookies on it.

16. Dulce de Calabaza (Candied Mexican Pumpkin)

This Dulce de Calabaza recipe is a wonderful introduction to this traditional Mexican dessert thick hunks of pumpkin dressed in a fantastic sauce of piloncillo and warm spices. Serve warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

A plate of dulce de calabaza with a drizzle of cream on top and a fork on the plate.

17. Buñuelos

A classic holiday sweet, Buñuelos are crispy fried dough that is sprinkled with sugar and anise seed. The homemade version warm out of the hot oil are like heaven.

Crispy fried rounds of dough sprinkled with sugar and anise seeds on a wood cutting board.

18. Jamoncillo de Leche

Jamoncillo de leche or milk fudge is a special Mexican candy made during the holidays. Sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk are slowly simmered until it is thick enough that is hardens when cooled. This version is flavored with coffee, peppermint, and cocoa powder.

Several squares of fudge colored in two layers, one chocolate one peppermint topped with crushed candy canes.

19. Cocadas {Mexican Coconut Candy}

Made from only 2 ingredients! Sweetened coconut and sweetened condensed milk—this Mexican coconut candy recipe is a favorite festive treat that are easy to make and fun to gift. This is the perfect little holiday treat for the Christmas cookie tray!

A tray of cocadas {Mexican coconut candy} in little paper cups.

20. Pistachio Mazapan

This authentic Mexican dessert is the traditional candy we all know and love as De la Rosa which is made with peanuts. This homemade version is made with festive pistachios giving it that holiday green glow and weepingly delicious buttery flavor.

Green rounds of pistachio Mazapan topped with flaky salt and chopped pistachios sitting in a box between layers of parchment.

21. Coconut Tres Leches Cake

If the other two tres leches cakes didn’t get you excited then maybe this coconut version will tempt you. Coconut milk gets swapped in for the traditional heavy cream then it is topped with toasted coconut flakes.

A pan of tres leches cake topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut with several pieces missing and a cake server.

22. Simple Authentic Capirotada

Learn the secret to making the perfect Capirotada every time. This classic Mexican bread pudding gets soaked in a cinnamon sugar syrup and topped with raisins and cheese. A holiday favorite in Mexico and here in the US.

An oval dish of capirotada with raisins and powdered sugar on top and a pink dish of powdered sugar behind it.

23. Pumpkin Spice Mexican Wedding Cookies

An easy cookie recipe with all the crumbly salt and sweet goodness of traditional Mexican Wedding Cookies (aka Snowballs) but with the addition of warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and clove.

A round dish filled with Mexican wedding cookies and a cup of atole next to another cup of atole.

24. Pineapple Tamales with Sweet Coconut Sauce

This sweet Pineapple Tamales Recipe is a dessert tamal studded with caramelized pineapple. The fluffy masa is lightly sweetened with brown sugar and vanilla and you’ll love the creamy coconut sauce and toasted coconut on top—it’s like a piña colada tamal!

A pineapple tamal on a blue plate with coconut sauce and toasted coconut.

25. Mexican Hot Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Indulge in this Mexican chocolate cookies recipe. These cookies marry bittersweet chocolate, aromatic cinnamon, and subtle kick of cayenne pepper. They’re thick and soft-baked in the centers, like a cozy winter hug!

Two Mexican chocolate cookies on a plate

26. Homemade Mexican Sweet Bread

If you plan on hosting a holiday brunch then you must make this Concha recipe. The sugar cookie coating on top is colored and flavored with freeze-dried fruits and they have a soft, bouncy crumb, perfect for dunking into coffee or hot chocolate.

Several conchas or Mexican pan dulce sitting on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The conchas have colored topping.

27. Ginger Cardamom Rompope

The holidays aren’t the holidays until you’ve had a glass of rompope. This non-alcoholic version is infused with ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon sticks making it the perfect drink for kids and adults alike.

A tall glass filled with rompope on ice with a cinnamon stick sticking out of the glass with a red and green cloth near by.

28. Atole de Arroz {Warm Rice Drink}

You can make this sweet Atole de Arroz Recipe in less than 30 minutes and enjoy it for breakfast, snack, or dessert. Made with rice, cinnamon, and milk it is a warm and comforting drink that is like the cozy version of horchata.

A woman holding a cinnamon stick in a cup of atole de arroz.

29. Sweet Lime Tamales

Like the best sponge cake you’ve ever eaten, flecked with fragrant lime zest and lime juice this is another one of our favorite sweet tamales recipes.

A green lime tamal sitting on a corn husk with a piece cut off sitting on a fork next to the tamal which is on a white platter.

30. Mexican Chocolate Pudding

Homemade chocolate pudding from scratch is easier than you think and can be made up to 3 days in advance! Infused with orange zest, cinnamon, and vanilla this rich chocolate pudding is luxurious and the perfect way to end a festive holiday dinner. Top with fresh fruits like raspberries or strawberries or go super indulgent and drizzle dulce de leche over the top.

Two colorful dishes of Mexican chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream and raspberries and orange zest.

More Mexican Christmas Recipes

So Many Mexican Desserts

So little time! Choosing is impossible, so go ahead and make a few this holiday season. Let me know when you do by snapping a pic and tagging me on Instagram @holajalapeno and #holajalapeno so I can see or leave me a comment below (don’t forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating) ! Also, sign up for my weekly newsletter, lots of good stuff there too!

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