When it comes to celebrating Día de los Muertos, food plays a central role in honoring loved ones and bringing family together. One of the best ways to celebrate is by indulging in the best Day of the Dead dessert recipes, which include both traditional favorites and fun, kid-friendly treats. From authentic pan de muerto to modern takes on classic flavors, these Day of the Dead food ideas will add sweetness to your celebration. In this article, you’ll find both traditional Día de los Muertos desserts and some fun twists on them, as well as creative Day of the Dead kid-friendly desserts that are perfect for families.
Best Day of the Dead Desserts – Kid Friendly Desserts for Dia de los Muertos
For children, getting involved in the kitchen can be a fun way to learn about the holiday and a great Day of the Dead activity to learn about this unique Mexican tradition. These Día de los Muertos food for kids recipes allow kids to explore traditional flavors in a playful way, while still honoring the rich history of the celebration. Whether you’re looking for classic desserts for Day of the Dead, delicious Dia de los Muertos cookies or inventive treats to try out, this roundup has something for everyone.
Day Of The Dead Cookies: Easy Skeleton Cookies Recipe
These skeleton cookies are a fun and simple way to celebrate Día de los Muertos. Using basic sugar cookie dough and icing, you can create cute and spooky skeleton designs. This easy recipe is perfect for getting kids involved in the kitchen, and the cookies make a great addition to any Day of the Dead dessert spread.
Marigold Flan Recipe – Cempasúchil Flan For Day Of The Dead
This marigold flan is a unique twist on the traditional Mexican dessert, adding the flavor of marigold flowers to the creamy flan. The subtle floral notes balance beautifully with the sweet caramel, making this a perfect dessert for your Día de los Muertos altar or family gathering. It’s a simple yet sophisticated way to bring the spirit of the holiday to your table.
Mexican Hot Chocolate Ice Cream Filled Pan de Muerto
For a cool twist on the classic, try filling your pan de muerto with Mexican hot chocolate ice cream. The rich, spiced chocolate pairs perfectly with the sweet bread, creating a dessert that’s both familiar and exciting. This fusion of warm and cold makes it a unique treat for celebrating Día de los Muertos.
Easy Day Of The Dead Cake With Buttercream Frosting
This colorful cake is decorated with traditional Día de los Muertos symbols like sugar skulls and marigolds, making it both delicious and festive. The buttercream frosting can be tinted in vibrant colors to match the holiday’s aesthetic, and the cake is easy enough for kids to help decorate. It’s a fun and sweet centerpiece for your Day of the Dead celebration.
Day of the Dead Pan de Muerto Cookies
These Day of the Dead Pan de Muerto Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic pan de muerto, made into small, easy-to-enjoy cookies. Shaped with decorative bones on top and sprinkled with sugar, they’re perfect for adding to an ofrenda or serving at a Día de los Muertos party. With their traditional look and sweet flavor, they’re a fun way to celebrate the holiday.
Day Of The Dead Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Sugar Skulls
These pumpkin spice cheesecake sugar skulls are the perfect fusion of fall flavors and Día de los Muertos traditions. The creamy cheesecake is shaped into skull molds and spiced with cinnamon and pumpkin for a delicious seasonal treat. It’s a fun and creative way to celebrate both Halloween and Day of the Dead.
Cempasúchil (Marigold) Cream Filled Pan De Muerto
Marigolds, or cempasúchil, are an important symbol of Día de los Muertos, and now you can incorporate their vibrant color into your desserts. This pan de muerto is filled with marigold-infused cream, adding a floral twist to the traditional bread. It’s an elegant and flavorful way to honor the holiday’s symbolism.
Catrina Cookies for Dia de los Muertos
These Day of the Dead Catrina Cookies are sugar cookies that pay homage to La Catrina, one of the most iconic figures of Día de los Muertos. They feature white royal icing as a base, with the intricate designs of La Catrina’s face drawn on using food markers and finished with vibrant sugar flowers. These cookies are a festive and creative addition to any Day of the Dead celebration.
Day Of The Dead Skull Pull-Apart Pumpkin Bread
This pull-apart pumpkin bread is a kid-friendly dessert that’s as fun to eat as it is to make. Shaped into skulls, the pumpkin-flavored bread is baked into a soft, pull-apart treat that’s perfect for sharing. It’s a playful and delicious dessert for any Día de los Muertos gathering.
Day of the Dead Marigold Cookies
These Day of the Dead Marigold Cookies feature bright yellow icing in the shape of marigold flowers, a traditional symbol of Día de los Muertos. The delicate flowers sit atop a base of white royal icing, making these cookies not only delicious but also visually striking. They’re perfect for your ofrenda or to enjoy with family during the holiday.
How To Make Pan De Muerto Calaverita (Sugar Skull Pan De Muerto)
Pan de Muerto is a must-have for any Día de los Muertos celebration, and this sugar skull version takes the traditional bread to a whole new level. Shaped like a skull and decorated with colorful icing, Pan de Muerto Calaverita is a creative twist on the classic dessert. Kids will love decorating the sugar skulls, making this a fun and delicious activity for the whole family.
Healthy Day Of The Dead Sugar Skull Fruit Pizza Dessert
For a healthier twist on traditional Día de los Muertos treats, try this sugar skull fruit pizza. Made with a sugar cookie base, cream cheese frosting, and topped with fresh fruit arranged in colorful patterns, this dessert is as tasty as it is nutritious. It’s a great way to introduce kids to healthy eating while still celebrating the holiday.
Day Of The Dead White Chocolate Covered Strawberry Skulls
These white chocolate-covered strawberries are transformed into festive sugar skulls with the help of colorful icing. Easy to make and fun to decorate, these sweet treats are perfect for kids to get involved with. The combination of juicy strawberries and creamy white chocolate makes them a hit at any Día de los Muertos celebration.
Sugar Skull Ginger Spice Cookies
If you’re looking for a cool Day of the Dead treat, try making Sugar Skull Ginger Spice Cookies! These cookies are super easy because you just stamp the sugar skull design right onto the dough. They have a spicy ginger flavor, perfect for fall and holiday seasons. Whether you’re making them for family or friends, they’re sure to be a hit and don’t require much effort.
Coconut Pumpkin Budin Recipe
This dairy-free coconut pumpkin budin is a creamy and comforting dessert that’s perfect for those with dietary restrictions. Made with coconut milk and pumpkin, it has a rich, velvety texture and a warm, spiced flavor. Shaped into skull molds, this dessert is both delicious and festive for Día de los Muertos.
Find more Day of the Dead recipes for kids here and be sure to check out my roundup of my favorite traditional Day of the Dead recipes for more Dia de los Muertos recipe ideas!
Traditional Day of the Dead Desserts from Other Latin American Countries
While Mexico is best known for its Día de los Muertos traditions, other Latin American countries also celebrate this important holiday with their own unique foods. In Guatemala, the holiday is called Día de Todos los Santos, and the traditional Guatemalan desserts for this holiday include Ayote en Miel (pumpkin in syrup) and Guatemalan Molletes (sweet bread filled with custard and soaked in syrup). You can learn more about Guatemalan Day of the Dead traditions here, including Guatemala’s unique and famous giant kite festival.
In Ecuador, an Andean country best know for it’s mountains, colorful culture and llamas, families celebrate Día de los Difuntos with Guaguas de Pan, or Bread Babies, which are sweet bread figures shaped like swaddled infants and often filled with fruity jams or chocolate. These traditional recipes add a unique and flavorful twist to the Día de los Muertos celebrations and help highlight the diversity of Day of the Dead celebration across Latin America.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
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