Cinco de Mayo is all about vibrant celebrations, lively music, and of course, delicious food! While tacos and enchiladas often steal the show, let's not forget the sweet finale: dessert! This year, ditch the store-bought treats and impress your guests with these easy, yet incredibly delicious, homemade Cinco de Mayo desserts. These recipes are perfect for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros, promising a sweet ending to your fiesta that everyone will adore. Get ready to add some extra sweetness to your Cinco de Mayo celebrations!
Easy Churros with Spicy Chocolate Sauce
This recipe delivers the classic churro experience with a fun, spicy twist perfect for a Cinco de Mayo gathering. It's surprisingly easy to make and tastes incredibly decadent.
Ingredients:
For the Churros:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Granulated sugar, for dusting
For the Spicy Chocolate Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more, to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
- Make the Churro Dough: In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and add flour all at once, stirring vigorously until a smooth dough forms. Let the dough cool slightly.
- Add the Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The dough will be thick.
- Fry the Churros: Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet to 375°F (190°C). Using a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off), pipe the churro dough into the hot oil, cutting the churros to about 4-5 inches long. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Drain and Dust: Remove the churros with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Immediately toss in granulated sugar while still warm.
- Make the Spicy Chocolate Sauce: In a small saucepan, heat heavy cream over medium heat. Once simmering, remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon until smooth and melted.
- Serve: Serve the warm churros with the spicy chocolate sauce for dipping.
Tips and Variations:
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the churro dough.
- If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a spoon to drop spoonfuls of dough into the hot oil. They won't be as pretty, but they'll still taste delicious!
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the chocolate sauce to your liking. Start with less and add more if you prefer a spicier sauce.
- You can also serve the churros with other dipping sauces, such as caramel or dulce de leche.
Mini Tres Leches Cakes
These individual Tres Leches cakes are a delightful and elegant addition to your Cinco de Mayo spread. They're surprisingly simple to make and offer a wonderful balance of sweetness and moisture.
Ingredients: (Makes 6 mini cakes)
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- Ingredients listed on cake mix box
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream and fresh berries, for garnish
Instructions:
- Bake the Cakes: Prepare the cake mix according to package directions, baking in 6 mini muffin tins or ramekins. Let the cakes cool completely.
- Make the Tres Leches Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Soak the Cakes: Poke holes all over the cooled cakes using a toothpick or fork. Pour the Tres Leches mixture evenly over the cakes, ensuring they're fully soaked.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the cakes for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Top with whipped cream and fresh berries before serving.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on specific ingredients used.)
Churros (with chocolate sauce): Calories: approximately 350-400, Fat: 20-25g, Carbohydrates: 40-50g, Protein: 5-7g
Mini Tres Leches Cakes: Calories: approximately 250-300, Fat: 15-20g, Carbohydrates: 30-40g, Protein: 4-6g
These recipes offer a delightful blend of flavors and textures, making them the perfect sweet ending to your Cinco de Mayo fiesta. Enjoy!