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Some of the recipes in this book include raw eggs. When this ingredient is consumed raw, there is
always the risk that bacteria, which is killed by proper cooking, may be present. For this reason, when
serving this ingredient raw, always buy certified salmonella-free eggs available from a reliable grocer
and store them in the refrigerator until they are used. Because of the health risks associated with the
consumption of bacteria that can be present in raw eggs, this ingredient should not be consumed by
infants, small children, pregnant women, the elderly, or any persons who may be
immunocompromised.

Copyright © 2010 by Fany Gerson

Photographs copyright © 2010 by Ed Anderson

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Ten Speed Press,
an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group,
a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
www.crownpublishing.com
www.tenspeed.com

Ten Speed Press and the Ten Speed Press colophon are registered trademarks of Random House,
Inc.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Gerson, Fany.
My sweet Mexico : recipes for authentic breads, pastries, candies,
beverages, and frozen treats / Fany Gerson. — 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Summary: “The first cookbook to present authentic versions of beloved Mexican sweets plus a
creative selection of new recipes rooted in traditional flavors and ingredients—Provided by publisher.
1. Desserts—Mexico. 2. Cookery, Mexican. I. Title.
TX773.G3823 2010
641.5972—dc22
2010014469

ISBN: 978-1-58008-994-4

Printed in China

Design by Katy Brown

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

First Edition
 contents
Acknowledgments vi
Introduction 1
Ingredients Guide 5
Equipment Guide 17

dulces de
bebidas convento maiz
22 38 60
Beverages Sweets from Corn
the Convents

dulces de pan
antaÒo dulce fruta
72 94 120
Heirloom Morning Fruit
Sweets Sweet Breads

delicias mexico
postres heladas moderno
140 168 186
Desserts Frozen Modern
Treats Mexico

Sources 207
Bibliography 209
Index 210

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Gers_9781580089944_3p_pi-p93_r1.indd 50 5/19/10 4:33 PM
 Jamoncillo de leche | Milk Fudge

2 (14-ounce) cans condensed Jamoncillos come in different shapes and sizes, but they are always deli-
milk ciously sweet (very sweet), fudgelike candies. Some of the best I’ve had
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated are prepared by the Hernandez family in Toluca. This three-generation
goat’s or cow’s milk family-run business is set up in their home. The copper pots are filled

6 tablespoons unsalted butter with raw cow’s or goat’s milk, and while some stir as it cooks down with
sugar for many hours, other members of the family are busy pouring or
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
cutting different candies out on the sunny patio. The flavors they have
Pinch of salt
never cease to surprise me, including lime, pine nut, coffee, papaya,
guava, and coconut, to name a few.
I wanted to include at least one candy recipe in the book that wasn’t
as time-consuming as the others, so this is a modern adaptation of a
classic. It will definitely not be as good as the ones the Hernandez family
Double the Flavor makes, but they did inspire me to play around with a few variations that

You can mix and match will surely please anyone with a sweet tooth.

flavors as you like, and

lightly grease a 9 by 9-inch square pan. line the pan with a piece of
you can do it quite
simply. Pour half of the
parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving about a 1-inch overhang on
mixture into the prepared all sides.
pan, stir another flavor— combine the condensed milk, evaporated milk, butter, vanilla, and
such as coffee extract salt in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously
or any kind of flavored with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, until the mixture has thick-
oil with a few drops of ened and starts pulling away from the sides of the pan, 20 to 30 minutes.
food coloring—into the when ready, it will slide easily out of the pan when tilted.
other half, then pour that Pour into the prepared pan and allow to set, about 2 hours. cut into
on top. Alternatively, you rectangles or desired shapes.
can make two separate
flavors and make half a mAkeS ABout 2 dozen

batch of each.

VARIATIoN: cHocolATE

Add 6 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder (preferably

Dutch processed) along with the other ingredients.

VARIATIoN: lIME

Replace the vanilla with 1 teaspoon grated lime zest and add 1 tablespoon
freshly squeezed lime juice and a few drops of green food coloring (if
desired) once the mixture has been removed from the heat, making
sure you add them slowly and stir well so it doesn’t separate.

COnTInUED

dulces de convento | sWeets From the convents 51

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 68 | My Sweet Mexico

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Gers_9781580089944_3p_p94-p216_r1.indd 136 5/19/10 4:39 PM
 Limones Rellenos de Coco | Coconut-Stuffed Limes

2 teaspoons baking soda The coast of Colima, a small state in southwest Mexico, is renowned

12 medium-large limes, for many candies, particularly coconut ones. The vibrant candied limes
rinsed well retain a slight bitterness that contrasts nicely with the sweet coconut fill-
ing. Eating them will make you feel like you are walking along the beach.
2½ cups sugar
Green food coloring (optional) Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil over high heat, add 1 teaspoon of the
2 cups shredded fresh coconut baking soda, stir to combine, and then add the limes. Cook at a soft
½ cup water simmer until slightly tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the limes from
the water with a slotted spoon and let cool.
Make a small incision in the top of each lime with a sharp paring
knife and carefully scrape out the flesh, making sure you don’t tear the
rind; discard the filling. Return the intact rinds to the pot, add cold
water to cover, and stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon baking soda. Bring
to a boil, strain, and repeat this process (without any more baking soda)
3 more times to remove the bitterness from the limes.
Return the limes to the pot, add cold water to cover, then stir in
1½ cups of the sugar and a few drops of food coloring. Cook over
medium-low heat, stirring, until the syrup has thickened to the consis-
tency of corn or maple syrup, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat,
let cool completely in the syrup, then transfer the limes to a wire rack
and let dry.
Combine the coconut, the remaining 1 cup sugar, and the ½ cup
water in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring, until the
coconut is soft, almost translucent, and thick. Let cool until it is safe
to handle.
Fill the limes with the coconut mixture and let cool completely. Eat
by biting into the lime. Store in an airtight container lined with parch-
ment paper in a cool, dry place for up to 2 months.

M a k e s 12

F ru ta | F ru i t 137

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 Pastel de Tres Leches | Tres Leches Cake

There are many versions of this popular cake, but I find most to be too Cake
heavy, overly sweet, and not moist enough. After much experimenting, 1 cup all-purpose flour
I found the one that I think produces an incredibly moist, lighter version.
¾ cup granulated sugar
This chiffonlike cake soaks up a lot of milk, which gives it a kind of “melt
in your mouth” quality, without being mushy. The rum adds even more
1½ teaspoons baking powder
moistness, helps cut the sweetness, and provides another layer of flavor. Pinch of salt
Because of the amount of liquid, the cake might seep a little, so be sure 4 eggs, separated, at room
to refrigerate it until you serve it. temperature
This is also a recipe that you can make your own. You can substitute ¼ cup vegetable oil
coconut milk for the condensed milk, adding some coconut liqueur instead
2 tablespoons water
of rum; use different fruits in the filling; or omit the rum in the soaking
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
liquid and add it to the whipped cream at the end, for example. You could
also soak it with rompope instead of the triple milk mixture, or make a ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
four-milk cake and finish it with cajeta or dulce de leche.
To make an over-the-top cake, the kind that is tall and bold and makes Tres Leches
a statement, double the recipe and bake the cake in two 9-inch pans. 1 cup heavy cream
Slice the tops and follow the same procedure, but soak the cakes for 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated
a bit longer. Either way, this cake is a celebratory dessert and a sure milk
crowd-pleaser. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch cake pan. Put a circle of Pinch of salt
parchment paper on the bottom of the pan, grease lightly, and flour the 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened
bottom and sides, tapping out the excess flour. condensed milk
to m a k e t h e c a k e , place the flour, 6 tablespoons of the sugar, ½ cup dark rum (optional but
the baking powder, and the salt in a large bowl and whisk to combine. highly recommended)
In a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks with the vegetable oil, water, and
vanilla until thoroughly combined. Filling
In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar 1ƒ cups heavy cream
until they start to thicken but have not reached soft peaks. Gradually ¼ cup confectioner’s sugar
add the remaining 6 tablespoons sugar and continue to beat until stiff,
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract,
but not dry, peaks form. or ½ vanilla bean, scraped
Add one-fourth of the flour mixture to the egg-yolk mixture and
1 to 2 cups coarsely chopped or
blend well. Add one-fourth of the beaten egg whites and fold gently.
sliced fresh fruit (strawberries,
Repeat, alternating the flour mixture and the beaten egg whites, finish- mangoes, and/or canned peaches
ing with the egg whites, until thoroughly combined. are commonly used)
Pour into the prepared pan and bake until the top springs back when
touched and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to
45 minutes.
CoNTINuEd

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Gers_9781580089944_3p_p94-p216_r1.indd 143 5/19/10 4:39 PM
 Pastel de Tres Leches (continued)

Allow to cool slightly, then turn out onto a wire rack. Remove the
parchment paper and let cool completely. Gently slice the top to even it
out and slice in half widthwise with a serrated knife.
to m a k e t h e t r es lech es , combine the heavy cream, evap-
orated milk, vanilla, and salt in a medium pot and scald over medium Meringue for Filling
heat. Remove from the heat and whisk in the condensed milk and rum,
If I’m using the Italian Meringue
blending well. Put the cakes in a deep dish and pour the warm mixture
as a filling for gaznates or other
over them. Be sure to pour any liquid that dripped down the sides on
treats, I like to dress it up a little
top of the cake as well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour,
more.
or freeze for 30 to 40 minutes, so they are easier to handle.
to m a k e t h e fil ling, beat the heavy cream with an electric Red food coloring (optional)

mixer or by hand until slightly thickened. Add the confectioner’s sugar 3 tablespoons mezcal

and vanilla and continue beating until thickened and smooth. Refriger- Prepare the meringue as directed
ate until the cakes have cooled. below, but add the red food
To assemble the cake, put one of the cakes on a piece of cardboard coloring to the hot syrup once
or a serving platter and spread one-third of the whipped cream evenly the sugar has dissolved (the
on top. Cover with most of the chopped fruit, reserving some for deco- meringue should be bright pink)
rating. Top with the second cake and cover the top and sides with the and stir in the mezcal once all

remaining whipped cream. Decorate with the reserved fruit as desired. the syrup has been added. Finish
by toasting the meringue waves
Dip a knife into hot water before cutting each slice.
with a kitchen torch. dip a knife
s e r v e s 8 t o 10 into hot water before making
each slice so the meringue
doesn’t stick to it.
ITALIAN MERINGUE

Try this luscious topping on the cake above instead of the whipped cream.
Finish by toasting the meringue waves with a kitchen torch. 1 cup sugar
ƒ cup water
Combine the sugar and water in a small pan and cover and cook over
5 egg whites, at room
low-medium heat. Once you can hear it boiling, remove the lid (the temperature
steam will help avoid crystallization). Continue cooking, without stir-
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
ring until you reach the soft-ball stage (see page 13).
Meanwhile, in a large heatproof bowl, whip together the egg whites, Pinch of salt
cream of tartar, and salt to medium peaks. Add the syrup in a stream
and continue to whip until the bowl feels cool to the touch.

144 | My Sweet Mexico

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 Buñuelos | Thin Cinnamon-Sugar Fritters

4 tomatillo husks These fritters are often referred to as buñuelos de rodilla, or knee frit-

≈ cup water ters, as they need to be quite thin and the knee is often pressed into the
dough to stretch it out. Christmas is the best time to look for them; if
½ teaspoon tequesquite
you’re lucky, you will find a street stand with enormous buñuelos piled
4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted up high and fried to order.
½ teaspoon baking powder My friend Valeria’s mom is famous for her buñuelos. She starts prepar-
Pinch of salt ing them in mid-october to be able to have enough fritters to fill the count-
less baskets she sends as Christmas gifts. I am fortunate that she was
¼ cup freshly squeezed
orange juice kind enough to show me how to make these incredibly crispy and tasty
buñuelos. She makes the dough by hand and has her own unique way of
1 egg
kneading it; however, I chose to do it in a machine to make it easier for
1 tablespoon sugar
those of us who haven’t been making them for two decades.
1 cup lard or unsalted butter, Tequesquite is mineral lime and an alkaline (like baking soda) that is
at room temperature, used to help the buñuelos puff up. You can find it in many specialty Latin
plus a little extra
and Mexican markets or at some spice specialty shops (see Sources).
½ cup whole milk
1 cup sugar mixed with Combine the tomatillo husks, water, and tequesquite in a saucepan over
1 tablespoon freshly ground medium heat and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, let cool, and
canela, for rolling, or about strain. Reserve the liquid and discard the rest.
1 cup piloncillo syrup, for serving Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixer with the
Oil, for frying (about 4 cups) hook attachment. Add the orange juice, egg, sugar, tomatillo husk
infusion, lard, and milk. Beat until the dough is very smooth and elas-
tic, 15 to 20 minutes. Rub some of the lard all over the top of the dough
and cover lightly with a cloth. Allow to rest, at room temperature, for
at least 30 minutes.
Cover a table with a clean sheet or tablecloth. Grease your hands
with a little lard and divide the dough into 18 golf ball–size pieces.
Roll each into a smooth ball, pressing so they’re compact. Cover them
lightly with a cloth. Roll each ball into a circle about 5 inches in diam-
eter, turning as you roll, so that it is even.
Beginning with the ones that were rolled out first, stretch each circle,
pulling very gently from the center and around the edges, to form a circle
8 to 9 inches in diameter. You should be able to see through the dough.
Allow the buñuelos to rest over the tablecloth until they feel dry to
the touch and look a bit leathery, 20 to 25 minutes. Turn them over and
let dry completely on the other side, 15 to 20 minutes.
CoNTINuEd

PoStreS | deSSertS 157

Buñuelos (continued)

Spread the sugar-canela mixture on a plate and place a wire rack

over a baking sheet for draining. (A wire rack with only one row of
metal spacers instead of a crisscross pattern works best, as you can
drain the buñuelos vertically.)
Pour the oil into a deep-sided pan to a depth of at least 3 inches. Heat
the oil to 375°F over medium heat, slide a buñuelo very carefully into
the oil, and press down with a fork. The buñuelo should immediately
begin to bubble around the edges and blister all over. Fry until golden
on one side, then flip over and fry until golden on the other side, 1 to
2 minutes total. Remove the buñuelo from the oil, let the excess oil drip
back into the pot for a few seconds, then place on the wire rack to drain.
Fry the remaining buñuelos in the same manner.
Toss the buñuelos in the sugar-canela mixture while still warm or
serve with piloncillo syrup.

Mak es 18 to 24

VARIATIONS:
BUñUELOS POBR ES AND BUñUELOS AHOGADOS

Buñuelos pobres are lightly coated with anise-flavored syrup, and buñuelos
ahogados are submerged in warm piloncillo syrup (page 190) and topped
with colored sugar or sprinkles.

158 | My Sweet Mexico

Gers_9781580089944_3p_p94-p216_r1.indd 176 5/19/10 4:41 PM
 Paletas de Mango Enchilado | Spicy Mango Ice Pops

¾ cup sugar My brother Pedro loves anything with mango and chile, and he’s not

¾ cup water alone. It has become one of the most common combinations in sweets in
Mexico; in fact, when you eat fresh mango, powdered chile of some kind
2 dried arbol chiles, with seeds,
is always on the table. I wanted to do something in this book just for him,
broken into pieces
but I am sure he won’t mind sharing (that’s the kind of guy he is).
2½ cups fresh mango purée
The chile powder you use is a matter of taste. It isn’t just about the
3 small limes, juiced heat; it’s also about the flavor. I particularly like the piquín chile from
1 to 2 medium mangoes, diced oa xa ca, but feel free to substitute it for ground guajillo, chipotle, or your

½ to ¾ cup ground piquín or personal favorite.

other chile powder (depending
on how spicy you want them) Combine the sugar, water, and chile pieces in a small pot and cook over
medium heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the
heat, allow to cool, and strain. Stir in the mango purée and the lime juice.
In a medium bowl, toss together the mango pieces with the chile powder.
Divide the chile-coated mango chunks among ice pop molds or
wax-lined paper cups, then pour the mango purée mixture over the top.
Freeze until beginning to set, 3 to 4 hours. Insert the sticks. Let freeze
for at least 3 hours more, and then unmold as directed or peel off the
paper cups.
If you prefer to use the chile powder on the outside, unmold the pops
and allow to thaw slightly (so the chile powder will stick to it), place the
chile powder in a shallow bowl, then dip the pops in to coat.

Makes 6 to 8

Paletas de Jamaica | Hibiscus Ice Pops

1½ cups hibiscus flowers The bright burgundy color of the hibiscus is only half the beauty of this

6 cups water delicious flower. It is one of the most common flavors for aguas frescas,
and its acidity is fantastic in this yummy frozen treat.
¾ cup sugar
Combine all the ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil over medium
heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and continue cooking until reduced
by half to 3 cups liquid, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and
allow to steep for 30 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve (if it
reduced too much, simply add a little hot water).
CoNTINuEd

de l ic i a S h e l a da S | F roz e n t r e at S 177

Gers_9781580089944_3p_p94-p216_r1.indd 177 5/19/10 4:41 PM

 To purchase a copy of
My Sweet Mexico
visit one of these online retailers:

file:///T|/Lyman_Emily/Scribd/Retailer%20Pages/my%20sweet%20mexico%20buyonline.html[11/8/2010 1:54:43 PM]