Even if you consider yourself a sugar connoisseurs, Mexican candy recipes will introduce you to entirely new flavor combinations-- flavor combinations you'll love. Recipes for traditional Mexican candy often include salt or heat, using ingredients that we normally associate more with dinner than dessert. However, as various Latino and Hispanic communities grow, the popularity of their candies also grow... in part thanks to the whole Fusion Food movement in many culinary circles, and in part due to a growing appreciation for the genius of Mexican cuisine.

You'll love these recipes for Mexican candy! But you can also visit my Authentic Mexican Food Recipes page for more ideas for Mexican dessert recipes!

Candy in Mexico

In Mexico, many candies are associated with specific religious celebrations. For example, carefully designed skulls made from sugar adorn graves during the Day of the Dead-- a commemoration to honor the deceased.

Even when not appearing in a festival, Mexican candy recipes have a very interesting history. For example, the chewing gum produced from Txzicl trees in Mexico often has chili powder as a component, and may be corn flavored rather than the mint or menthol many of us are used to! This strongly reflects cultural and regional influences.

Three Wonderful Mexican Candy Recipes

For those who enjoy making unique candies at home, there are some really great recipes available for Mexican candy simply because most of it started as a "home" tradition. Here are a few fabulous recipes for traditional Mexican candy. Not all of them are spicy Mexican candy with chile powder, but one of 'em is! This rich, sweet, and spicy Mexican candy recipe is ultra delicious... and is exactly what you think of when you think of an authentic Mexican candy with chile powder. The sweetness and richness of the candy is the perfect balance for the spice of the crushed red pepper.

This is the perfect recipe for authentic Mexican candy if you're looking to surprise the palates of your guests! Though it might be a little too hot for children not accustomed to a bit of spice.

• Print this Recipe

Ingredients:
1 C. dark brown sugar (well packed)
1 C. light brown sugar (well packed)
1 C. heavy cream
2 tbsp. butter
2 C. chopped nuts (your choice)
1 tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions: 1. Put the sugar and cream into a heavy saucepan. Stir over a medium flame, making sure the sugar gets well mixed. Bring to a boil, continuing to stir.

2. Bring this to a soft ball candy stage before adding the butter, nuts and chili. Stir for about a minute.

3. Drop by spoonful onto a wax-paper-lined cookie sheet (just like you did with recipe one).

Storage: To increase the shelf life of this Mexican candy recipe, wrap them individually in parchment paper.

This tasty Mexican dessert is sweet, nutty, rich, soft, and with a wonderful crunch of pecans. They're also really easy to make, and adaptable to a lot of different flavors.

Variations: The Mexican candy recipe below is for a basic candy. But you can play around with flavors! Try brown sugar or Hawaiian sugar to change the flavor of this candy slightly. You can also swap out the pecans with another kind of nut. Very simple and tasty! And if you're looking to make a Mexican candy with chile powder, use a sprinkling of cayenne or chile powder on top for some extra heat.

• Print this Recipe

Ingredients:
2 C. sugar
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
1 C. chopped pecans
1 tbsp. butter

Instructions: 1. Put sugar and milk into a non-reactive pan and cook until it reaches soft ball stage.

2. Remove from heat and hand fold the pecans and butter. Once this is cool drop it by spoonfuls onto waxed paper to set up. Store in refrigerator.

Make it Easy: For easier serving, pour the whole batch of this authentic Mexican candy into a small cake pan and cut it into fudge-like squares.

Mexican candy recipes like this, made with mashed pinto beans, have a wonderful creamy texture. This fudge is dark and flavorful, and the crunch of nuts and the sweetness of raisins to heavenly.

But nobody needs to know it was made with beans!

• Print this Recipe

Ingredients:
1 C. cooked pinto beans
1/2 C. cream
6 tsp. butter
6 oz. dark chocolate (unsweetened)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. tequila
1 C. chopped nuts (your choice)
1/2 C. raisins, chopped (optional)
2 lbs. powdered sugar

Instructions: 1. Mash your pinto beans until very smooth.

2. Melt the chocolate with the butter. Once these two are mixed completely, add the pinto beans with the cream, tequila, and vanilla.

3. Slowly work in the sugar, nuts and raisins (if you've chosen to include them). Spread in a buttered pan and divide up after chilling.

Hint: an interesting twist on this Mexican candy recipe is using dried currants, or another dried fruit that you like instead of the raisins. Try pineapple, mango or apricot. Make sure it’s minced small so that the texture works for the fudge.

More About Mexican Candy

If you love your candy hot and spicy, or salty and savory, then Mexican candy recipes are perfect for you. But just as with making any candy, reaching the right stage of cooking is a delicate process. It's a good ideas to get a good candy thermometer to ensure your success. Also once your candy sets up, wrapping it in parchment or waxed paper increases the shelf life.

Once you master any recipe for authentic Mexican candy, don't be afraid to tinker with it a bit in terms of swapping out flavorings, fruits, etc. Remember, Mexico has many cultural influences that you can tap into... and still keep the resulting flavor traditional.