06/12/2026
Mexican Sweet Bread Guide (Part 2)
Mexican sweet bread (pan dulce) is one of Mexico’s most colorful culinary traditions. While many baking techniques, doughs, and pastry styles arrived during the colonial period from Spain, France, and other European countries, Mexican bakers transformed them with local ingredients, regional flavors, vibrant colors, and endless creativity.
It’s important to remember that the names of sweet breads vary greatly by region, city, and even individual bakery. The same pastry may have several names, and similar pastries may share the same name. Fillings, toppings, and shapes also vary throughout Mexico.
In the United States, most Mexican bakeries keep the original Spanish names, although some bakeries provide English translations or descriptions to help non-Spanish-speaking customers identify the pastries.
⚫️ Novia (Bride Pastry)
A sweet yeast bread covered with sugar.
Flavor
* Vanilla
* Butter
* Sugar
Its spiral shape is often said to resemble a bridal dress or elaborate hairstyle.
Other Names
* Novia
* Novios
* Chamberina
* Pan de Novia
⚫️ Piedras (Stone Bread)
One of the most humble and traditional pastries found in Mexican bakeries.
Flavor
* Cinnamon
* Vanilla
* Raisins (in some versions)
* Chocolate (occasionally)
Traditionally made from leftover sweet bread or day-old pastries like the bread pudding. The scraps are mixed together, baked again, and topped with sugar, cinnamon, or chocolate.
Other Names
* Piedras
* Terrones
* Toqueras
⚫️ Niño Envuelto (Swiss Roll or Jelly Roll)
A soft sponge cake rolled around a sweet filling.
Most Common Flavors
* Strawberry (most popular)
* Pineapple
* Dulce de leche
* Chocolate
* Cajeta
* Blackberry
Other Names
* Niño Envuelto
* Brazo de Gitano
* Pionono
⚫️ Polvorón Rosa (Pink Cookie)
One of the most recognizable cookies in Mexican bakeries.
Flavor
* Vanilla
* Almond (occasionally)
Its bright pink color makes it especially popular with children.
Other Names
* Polvorón Rosa
* Pink Cookie
⚫️ Espejos (Mirror Cookies)
A cookie topped with a shiny glaze that gives it a mirror-like appearance.
Flavors
* Vanilla
* Lemon
* Strawberry
Other Names
* Espejo
* Polvorón Espejo
⚫️ Pay de Queso (Mexican Cheese Tart)
A traditional Mexican version of cheesecake.
Flavor
* Fresh cheese (queso fresco)
* Ranch-style cheese
* Ricotta-like cheese (requesón)
* Vanilla
Unlike American cheesecake:
* Traditionally does not use cream cheese.
* Does not have a graham cracker crust.
* Uses a thin dough similar to some Mexican biscuits.
* The crust often has a slightly salty flavor that balances the sweet filling.
Other Names
* Pay de Queso
* Pastel de Queso
⚫️ Polvorón Reventado (Yellow Cookie)
A crumbly cookie known for its cracked surface.
Flavor
* Vanilla
* Butter
* Lemon (sometimes)
Other Names
* Polvorón Amarillo
* Polvorón Reventado
⚫️ Gusano (Worm Pastry)
An elongated sweet bread coated with sugar.
Flavors and Fillings
* Pastry cream
* Sweet paste filling
* Vanilla
* Butter
Other Names
* Gusano
* Purito (in some regions)
⚫️ Chamucos
A small sweet pastry with filling or topping.
Flavors
* Piloncillo
* Vanilla
* Cajeta
* Cream
Other Names
* Chamuco
* Diablito (in some regions)
⚫️ Chilindrina (Sugar Crust Roll)
A sweet bread similar to a co**ha.
Flavor
* Vanilla
* Butter
Unlike a co**ha:
* The crust is thicker.
* Contains more sugar.
* Has a crunchier, more brittle topping.
Other Names
* Chilindrina
* Costra
⚫️ Banderilla (Puff Pastry Stick)
A long caramelized puff pastry.
Flavor
* Butter
* Caramelized sugar
Other Names
* Banderilla
* Long Campechana
* Costra
⚫️ Moño (Bow Pastry)
A pastry shaped like a bow or ribbon.
Variations
Puff Pastry Version
* Powdered sugar
* Granulated sugar
Soft Bread Version
* Sugar topping
* Butter and sugar
Other Names
* Moño
* Corbata
* Lazo
⚫️ Tomate
A round pastry coated with shredded coconut.
Most Common Fillings
* Strawberry
* Pineapple
Toppings
* Whipped cream and a cherry
* Buttercream with red jelly
Other Names
* Tomate
* Coconut Ball (some bakeries)
⚫️ Garibaldis
Small sponge cakes coated with jam and colorful sprinkles.
Flavor
* Vanilla
* Apricot
* Peach
Fun Fact
They were popularized by the famous bakery chain El Globo in Mexico City.
Other Names
* Garibaldi
* Sprinkle Cupcake
⚫️ Cazuelas
Small sweet rolls with a filled center.
Most Common Flavors
* Pineapple
* Strawberry
* Guava
* Fig
* Cajeta
* Pastry cream
Other Names
* Cazuela
* Sweet Tart Roll
⚫️ Tortuga (Turtle Roll)
A sweet bread decorated to resemble a turtle.
Flavor
* Vanilla
* Butter
Other Names
* Tortuga
* Turtle Bread
⚫️ Regalos (Gift Pastries)
A folded puff pastry resembling a wrapped gift.
Flavors and Fillings
* Pineapple
* Strawberry
* Cajeta
* Pastry cream
* Guava
Other Names
* Regalo
* Regalito
* Paquetito
⚫️ Coricos (Corn Cookies)
A traditional cookie from Northern Mexico made primarily with corn flour.
Flavor
* Piloncillo
* Vanilla
* Anise
Other Names
* Corico
* Tacuarín
* Coricohi
* Enseco
* Pemol
⚫️ Laurel
A circular or layered puff pastry.
Flavor
* Butter
* Caramelized sugar
Depending on the region, its appearance and size can vary significantly.
Other Names
* Laurel
* Imperial
* Cuello
* Apastelada
* Paloteada
⚫️ Borrachos (Drunken Bread)
A filled pastry decorated with two contrasting colors.
Flavors
* Strawberry
* Pineapple
* Vanilla
* Chocolate
Historically, some versions were soaked with a syrup flavored with liquor or rum extract, which inspired the name.
Other Names
* Borracho
* Payaso
* Tricolor Bread
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🔴 Fun Fact
A traditional Mexican bakery may offer anywhere from 100 to more than 300 varieties of sweet bread. Many pastries start with the same basic dough but become completely different products through their fillings, toppings, colors, and shapes. This remarkable diversity is one reason Mexican pan dulce is considered one of the most varied sweet bread traditions in the world.
