Well, howdy there! Let’s yak about some sweet treats for that Cinco de Mayo thingy. You know, that day when folks eat all sorts of Mexican-y grub. I ain’t no fancy cook, mind you, but I know a good dessert when I see one, and better yet, when I taste one!
Now, I ain’t got the patience or the steady hands to be bakin’ up a storm. So, I say, let’s just buy some goodies! Saves a whole heap of trouble, and honestly, sometimes those store-bought things taste just as good, if not better. Don’t go lookin’ at me all sideways, I mean it!
First off, let’s talk about them churros. You ever had one of them things? Long, skinny, fried dough rolled in cinnamon sugar? Oh, my stars, they are somethin’ else! Warm and crispy on the outside, soft and doughy on the inside. You can find ’em at most grocery stores these days, and even some of them big box stores have them too. They are a real crowd-pleaser.
- Look for churros that are nice and golden brown, not too dark or burnt looking.
- If you can get them fresh, even better, but the frozen ones ain’t half bad either.
- Just pop them in the oven or toaster oven for a bit, and they’re ready to go.
Then there’s those sopapillas. Heard tell they’re kinda like a Mexican donut, but flatter. I ain’t never made ’em myself, but I’ve had a few store-bought ones that were pretty darn tasty. They’re like little pillows of fried dough, sometimes drizzled with honey or sprinkled with powdered sugar. Man, oh man, they make my mouth water just thinkin’ about ’em.
Tres leches cake, now that’s a fancy one. “Three milks cake,” they call it. Sounds real rich and creamy, don’t it? I’ve seen them in the bakery section of the grocery store, all pretty and white. They soak that cake in three kinds of milk, I tell ya! It’s sweet and moist, and just melts in your mouth. Perfect for a celebration, or just a Tuesday night, if you ask me. If you are buying one, make sure you keep it in the icebox or else it’ll go all funny on you.
And don’t forget about them flan things. Kinda like a custard, jiggly and smooth. It’s got that caramel sauce on top, all shiny and sweet. I ain’t gonna lie, it took me a while to get used to the texture, but once I did, I was hooked! You can find little individual flans in most stores now, so everyone can have their own. Ain’t that convenient?
Now, if you’re lookin’ for somethin’ a little different, try them Mexican wedding cookies. They ain’t really just for weddings, you know. They’re these little round cookies, all covered in powdered sugar. They’re crumbly and buttery, and just the right amount of sweet. They melt in your mouth, and they’re so darn cute, you just want to pop a whole bunch of them in your gob at once! Some folks call them Russian tea cakes or snowball cookies but whatever you call ’em they are downright delicious. Make sure you got a napkin handy though, ’cause that powdered sugar gets everywhere!
Let’s see, what else…oh yeah! Empanadas! Now, some folks fill ‘em with meat and savory stuff, but you can also get sweet ones, filled with fruit like apple or pumpkin. They’re like little hand pies, all golden and crispy on the outside, and warm and gooey on the inside. Easy to eat, and they travel well too, if you’re going to a party or somethin’. If you see some at the market, I say grab a few, you won’t regret it.
Lastly, and this ain’t exactly a dessert, but it’s sweet and refreshing, and goes real good after a big meal: paletas. Those are Mexican popsicles, and they come in all sorts of flavors, like strawberry, mango, lime, and even chili! Yeah, you heard that right, chili! It sounds weird, but it’s actually pretty good. Sweet and spicy at the same time. The kids love ‘em, and the grown-ups do too. Perfect for a hot day, or anytime you want a little somethin’ cool and sweet. If you are buying a bunch, bring a cooler bag so they don’t melt before you get them home.
So there you have it, a whole bunch of Cinco de Mayo desserts you can buy without even breakin’ a sweat. No need to be slavin’ away in the kitchen all day. Just head to the store, pick out your favorites, and enjoy! And don’t let anyone tell you it ain’t authentic enough. Good food is good food, no matter where it comes from or how you got it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go find me a churro…
Remember, Cinco de Mayo ain’t just about the food, it’s about celebrating and having a good time. So, gather your friends and family, put on some music, and enjoy those sweet treats! And don’t forget to raise a glass to… well, to whatever they’re celebratin’ on Cinco de Mayo! Like that fella said, it ain’t even a holiday in Mexico, but who cares? Any excuse for a party and some good eats is alright by me!
One last thing, if you are buying these desserts ahead of time make sure you got a plan to keep them fresh. Some of them need to be kept cold in the icebox and others can sit out on the counter. It’s real important to keep them tasting their best!
