Best Mexican Pastries In LA
Los Angeles is a treasure trove of authentic Mexican bakeries, each offering delicious treats that showcase the rich culinary heritage of Mexico. From flaky, sweet conchas to crispy churros, these pastries bring joy with every bite.
Join me as we explore the most mouth-watering Mexican pastries you can find right here in LA.
1. Conchas from La Mascota Bakery
Sweet, shell-shaped bread rolls topped with a crunchy sugar pattern that resembles a seashell. The contrast between the soft, pillowy bread and the crisp topping creates a perfect balance of textures.
La Mascota Bakery in Boyle Heights has been baking these traditional favorites since 1952, using recipes passed down through generations. Their conchas come in various flavors including vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
2. Churros at Mr. Churro
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, these ridged wonders are fried to golden perfection and dusted with cinnamon sugar. Mr. Churro in Olvera Street elevates this classic street food to an art form.
What makes these churros special is their filling options – try the cajeta (caramelized goat’s milk), chocolate, or vanilla cream. The churros are made fresh throughout the day, ensuring you always get that satisfying crunch.
3. Pan de Muerto from La Monarca
Round, sweet bread decorated with bone-shaped pieces that symbolize the cycle of life and death. La Monarca Bakery creates this Day of the Dead specialty with orange blossom water that gives it a distinctive aroma.
Though traditionally eaten during November celebrations, this buttery treat is so popular they offer it year-round. The bread’s slight citrus flavor pairs perfectly with Mexican hot chocolate for dipping, creating a comforting experience.
4. Orejas from El Gallo Bakery
Flaky, ear-shaped pastries that shatter delightfully with each bite. El Gallo Bakery in East LA has perfected these sugary, buttery treats that resemble elephant ears or French palmiers.
Made by folding layers of pastry dough with sugar, the heat of baking caramelizes the exterior while keeping the inside delicate. I love watching new customers discover these simple yet irresistible pastries – eyes widening at first crunch.
5. Empanadas de Cajeta at Northgate González Market
Half-moon pastries filled with rich cajeta, a goat’s milk caramel that’s deeply rooted in Mexican culinary tradition. The bakery section at Northgate González Market turns out these handheld treasures daily.
The pastry shell has a pleasant crumbliness that gives way to the smooth, sweet filling inside. Beyond cajeta, you’ll find variations with pineapple, guava, or apple filling. Grab one (or three) while shopping for an instant mood boost.
6. Tres Leches Cake from Porto’s Bakery
Heavenly sponge cake soaked in three types of milk – evaporated, condensed, and regular – creating a moist dessert that somehow remains light as air. Porto’s Cuban-Mexican fusion bakery has mastered this Latin American classic.
Topped with a cloud of whipped cream and often garnished with fresh fruit, each forkful delivers pure bliss. The cake’s subtle sweetness and melting texture make it impossible to stop at just one piece. A slice pairs wonderfully with strong coffee.
7. Elotes from Panadería Cuscatleca
Not to be confused with Mexican street corn, these elotes are sweet corn-flavored pastries shaped like actual corn on the cob. Panadería Cuscatleca offers these unique treats that showcase the playful side of Mexican baking.
The yellow-tinted dough contains real corn and has a subtle sweetness. Each pastry is carefully crafted to resemble a corn cob, complete with textured bumps. Kids especially love these fun, not-too-sweet snacks that connect traditional flavors with artistic presentation.
8. Marranitos from El Rancho Market
Adorable pig-shaped gingerbread cookies that have just the right balance of molasses and spice. El Rancho Market’s bakery section creates these traditional treats with a texture that’s somewhere between cake and cookie.
Also called cochinitos or puerquitos, these little piggies have a deep brown color and slightly chewy texture. The mild sweetness and hint of cinnamon make them perfect for dunking in coffee or champurrado. Each bakery has its own recipe, but El Rancho’s version strikes the ideal spice balance.
9. Bionicos at La Favorita Bakery
Fresh fruit cocktails topped with sweet cream, coconut, and granola that blur the line between dessert and healthy treat. La Favorita Bakery creates these refreshing concoctions using seasonal fruits like strawberries, bananas, and mangoes.
The creamy topping, made with sweetened condensed milk and sour cream, transforms simple fruit into something extraordinary. On hot LA afternoons, nothing satisfies quite like these colorful cups of goodness. They offer the perfect balance of indulgence and freshness.
10. Polvorones from La Flor de Yucatan
Melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies that literally translate to “dusty ones” because they’re so delicate they crumble into powder. La Flor de Yucatan bakery makes these buttery treasures in several flavors including vanilla, cinnamon, and walnut.
The cookies have a distinctive sandy texture that dissolves instantly on your tongue. Often confused with Mexican wedding cookies, these are less dense and more delicate. Their subtle sweetness makes them dangerously addictive – I’ve never been able to eat just one!
