Find Out What Dessert Goes with Chili so You Can Conclude Your Fiesta on a Sweet Note

If you’re like me, just the mention of a Mexican or Tex-Mex menu is enough to get your mouth watering. I’m always looking for an excuse to serve tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, burritos — you name it.

Chili is an especially popular choice for busy home chefs because you can make it in advance and just heat it up. But what dessert goes with chili, and will it be just as easy to prepare?

Including chili peppers in your dessert recipe is one way to tie the meal together. When you’ve finished reading my guide, you’ll have several ideas to get you started on dessert.

Here are the dessert recipes that you can expect to find here:

1. 1. Cherry Chocolate Brownies →
2. 2. Chocolate Cookies →
3. 3. Pumpkin Cupcakes →
4. 4. Strawberry Lime Ice Cream →
5. 5. Pineapple Upside Down Cake →
6. 6. Lemon Cookies →
7. 7. Peach Cobbler →
8. 8. Chocolate Shortbreads →
9. 9. Orange Cake with Chili Chocolate Ganache →
10. 10. Apple Crisp →
11. 11. Useful Resources →

As I was doing my research, I learned that this is a common question. A lot of folks have a hard time determining what dessert to pair with chili.

In fact, some people try to pass the chili off as a dessert in itself:

Superbowl Sunday:
Breakfast- chilli
Lunch-chilli
Dinner-chilli
Desert- more chilli

— Steven Celularo (@SteveCelularo) February 2, 2014

Chili peppers are high in antioxidants, including vitamin C. So if you incorporate them into your dessert, you can coax yourself into believing that the treat you’re eating is actually healthy.

Here’s what AllRecipes has to say on the subject:

Just a touch of cayenne pepper is enough to add a subtle warmth and smoky sweetness to all kinds of goodies — from cookies and cupcakes to pies and fruit crumbles.

What Dessert Goes with Chili? 10 Recipes

	1. Chili Cherry Chocolate Brownies → Brownies are the ideal dessert for chocolate lovers, no matter what’s on the menu.	Total Cooking Time: 1 hr 10 min Yield: 16 servings Calories Per Serving: 230
	2. Chili Chocolate Cookies → Currants spiked with Kahlua take these cookies to the next level.	Total Cooking Time: 45 mins Yield: 12 servings (24 cookies) Calories Per Serving: 272
	3. Chili Pumpkin Cupcakes → If you’ve never tried incorporating pumpkin into your Mexican menu ideas, this lovely autumn dessert could be the perfect place to start.	Total Cooking Time: 1 hr 40 mins Yield: 24 servings Calories Per Serving: 244
	4. Chili Strawberry Lime Ice Cream → Since the ice cream is already cold, it will immediately counteract the heat from the chile powder.	Total Cooking Time: About 1 hour, plus freezing Yield: 8 servings Calories Per Serving: 240
	5. Chili Pineapple Upside Down Cake → A classic dessert with an unlikely but welcome twist.	Total Cooking Time: 1 hr Yield: 12 servings Calories Per Serving: 320
	6. Chili Lemon Cookies → This dessert serves as an excellent example of the citrus cooling down the heat of the peppers.	Total Cooking Time: 1 hr 35 mins Yield: 24 servings Calories Per Serving: 114
	7. Chili Peach Cobbler → Try this tasty twist on spiced peaches when you’re pressed for time.	Total Cooking Time: 1 hr 30 min Yield: 18 servings Calories Per Serving: 263
	8. Chili Chocolate Shortbreads → This dessert is a fancier alternative to Mexican brownies. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to make.	Total Cooking Time: 45 mins Yield: 15 servings Calories Per Serving: 156
	9. Chocolate Orange Cake with Chili Chocolate Ganache → It might sound fancy — and the flavor won’t let you down — but this dessert is surprisingly simple to put together.	Total Cooking Time: 1 hr Yield: 20 servings Calories Per Serving: 287
	10. Chili Apple Crisp → In addition to being a good dessert to serve with spicy food, this apple crisp is inexpensive and easy to make.	Total Cooking Time: 1 hr Yield: 6 servings Calories Per Serving: 365

I’ve found that if I want to incorporate chili peppers into my dessert, it’s best to start with a chocolate or citrus profile.

Chocolate has been paired with peppers in Mexican cuisine for years, and the flavor combination is complex and appealing. While the combo isn’t restricted to dessert recipes, many use it to great effect:

Chocolate and chilli Bundt cake for today’s bake😀 pic.twitter.com/8YEb2pxVzp

— Sarah Kemp (@SarahKe16685953) June 28, 2022

Citrus fruits have a cooling effect on the spicy flavor of the peppers, so they’re another great choice.

While these are excellent dessert options, they’re not the only ones you might consider. Cheesecake, fried ice cream, custard tart—the choice is ultimately up to you.

Here are some dessert recipe ideas to tantalize your taste buds.

1. Chili Cherry Chocolate Brownies

Brownies are the ideal dessert for chocolate lovers, no matter what’s on the menu. What’s more, you can make them hours before you’re due to serve dessert, which gives you plenty of time to focus on other things.

Total Cooking Time: 1 hr 10 min
Yield: 16 servings
Calories Per Serving: 230

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 10 tablespoons butter
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups pitted fresh cherries
• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 1 small red chili, seeded and minced
• Cocoa powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease an 8X11-inch baking pan. Line pan with parchment paper.

2. Combine chocolate, butter, sugar, and chili in a double boiler. Stir over low heat until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

3. Stir together flour, almond meal, salt, and cherries. Whisk in the eggs until well combined.

4. When the chocolate mixture is cool, combine it with the flour mixture, then add to the prepared pan.

5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownie mixture comes out clean.

6. Allow to cool before slicing into squares. Dust with cocoa powder and serve.

2. Chili Chocolate Cookies

While we’re working the chocolate dessert angle, let’s take a look at these spicy delights. Currants spiked with Kahlua take these cookies to the next level.

Total Cooking Time: 45 mins
Yield: 12 servings (24 cookies)
Calories Per Serving: 272

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried currants
• 2 tablespoons Kahlua
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (preferably Mexican)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a small saucepan, heat the Kahlua and currants over low heat until the mixture starts to simmer. Remove from heat.

3. Combine chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Set over low heat and cook, stirring, until the chocolate is melted. Remove from heat and set aside.

4. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, black pepper, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cayenne.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until the mixture is frothy and light yellow in color. Add the vanilla.

6. Whisk the chocolate mixture into the eggs.

7. Fold the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture and stir until combined. Stir in the currants.

8. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches of space between them.

9. Bake for about 12 minutes.

10. Remove cookies from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool for another 5 minutes before serving.

You might also give this alternative a try:

3. Chili Pumpkin Cupcakes

Cupcakes are a great informal dessert option. If you’ve never tried incorporating pumpkin into your Mexican menu ideas, this lovely autumn dessert could be the perfect place to start.

Total Cooking Time: 1 hr 40 mins
Yield: 24 servings
Calories Per Serving: 244

Ingredients:

For the Cupcakes:

• 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 cup pumpkin puree

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 24-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

2. In a large bowl, sift together all the dry ingredients through the baking soda. Set aside.

3. In a separate bowl, beat together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, then stir in milk and pumpkin puree.

4. Sift flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture and fold until just combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared muffin cups.

5. Bake about 25 minutes, or until the tops of the cupcakes are golden brown and the tops spring back under light pressure. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pan to cool completely on wire racks.

6. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the sugar a little bit at a time until it’s all incorporated, then add vanilla and cinnamon. Beat until the frosting has achieved a light, fluffy texture.

7. When cupcakes are cool, frost with the cream cheese icing and serve.

4. Chili Strawberry Lime Ice Cream

Wondering what dessert goes with chili in the summer months? Since the ice cream is already cold, it will immediately counteract the heat from the chile powder.

Total Cooking Time: About 1 hour, plus freezing
Yield: 8 servings
Calories Per Serving: 240

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon guajillo chile powder
• 3 cups half-and-half, chilled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the strawberries with the sugar and chile powder. Let the mixture macerate for 30 minutes, then mash together lightly with a fork or potato masher.

2. While you’re waiting for the berries to soften, stir together the cream, vanilla, sugar, lime juice, and salt. Follow your ice cream maker’s instructions to freeze the mixture until it’s set.

3. When the vanilla base is ready, gently stir in the strawberries. Enjoy at once, or return the ice cream to the freezer until you’re ready to serve dessert.

5. Chili Pineapple Upside Down Cake

A classic dessert with an unlikely but welcome twist.

Total Cooking Time: 1 hr
Yield: 12 servings
Calories Per Serving: 320

Ingredients:

• 9 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 small red chili pepper, seeded and minced
• 1 can pineapple slices (20 ounces)
• 10 maraschino cherries, halved
• 1 cup cake flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

2. In a 10-inch oven-proof skillet (preferably cast iron), melt 8 tablespoons butter. Remove from heat and sprinkle brown sugar and minced chili pepper evenly across the bottom.

3. Arrange pineapple slices and cherries around the bottom of the pan. Set aside.

4. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.

5. Separate the eggs, placing the yolks in a small bowl and the whites in a larger mixing bowl.

6. Beat egg whites using medium speed until the mixture holds soft peaks. Gradually mix in granulated sugar, beating until peaks are stiff but not dry.

7. Using clean beaters, beat yolks using high speed until thick. Scrape yolks and flour mixture into the whites and fold until just combined.

8. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the mixture, along with the vanilla. Spread the batter into the prepared skillet.

9. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes.

10. Loosen the edges of the cake using a butter knife, then carefully invert onto a platter so that the pineapple rings are facing up. Let cool, then serve with vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream.

Tip: If you opt to make your pineapple upside down cake in a pressure cooker, click here for important safety tips.

6. Chili Lemon Cookies

This dessert serves as an excellent example of the citrus cooling down the heat of the peppers.

Total Cooking Time: 1 hr 35 mins
Yield: 24 servings
Calories Per Serving: 114

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tesaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, or as needed

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and baking soda.

2. In a large bowl, beat together sugar and butter until creamy. Add egg, vanilla and lemon extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Add flour mixture and beat until just combined, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula.

3. Refrigerate dough for 1 hour.

4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

5. Spoon dough onto prepared baking sheet and flatten each round to 1/2 inch thick.

6. Carefully dredge each round in powdered sugar, then return to baking sheet.

7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cookies have lost their glossy appearance. Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

The dessert of churros & chilli chocolate mousse with orange sorbet & pepper crumb pic.twitter.com/5S26s4Hh1E

— Minh Le Cong (@ketaminh) March 6, 2022

7. Chili Peach Cobbler

Try this tasty twist on spiced peaches when you’re pressed for time. Since the dessert uses canned peaches, this recipe is largely hands-off.

Are the peaches past their expiration date? In this article, you’ll learn more about this issue and the warning signs you should look for.

Total Cooking Time: 1 hr 30 min
Yield: 18 servings
Calories Per Serving: 263

Ingredients:

For the Peaches:

• 1 can sliced peaches (29 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Pinch ground cinnamon
• Pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 cup water

For the Topping:

• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine cornstarch and water in a glass measuring cup.

3. In a large bowl, combine peaches, melted butter, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the cornstarch mixture and stir, then set aside.

4. In a separate large bowl, beat together milk, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt until blended.

5. Melt butter in a 9X13-inch pan, then pour batter over melted butter. Arrange peaches on top and sprinkle with additional nutmeg and cinnamon, if desired.

6. Bake for 1 hour and let cool slightly before serving.

Playful Cooking recommends pairing chocolate with peaches in this unusual dessert:

“What is more tempting than a chocolate pudding? Chili chocolate pudding with grilled peaches! Yes, because it will make your taste buds jolt and then ask for more”.

8. Chili Chocolate Shortbreads

This dessert is a fancier alternative to Mexican brownies. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to make.

Total Cooking Time: 45 mins
Yield: 15 servings
Calories Per Serving: 156

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 8 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar
• Pinch chili flakes
• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup white chocolate chips, melted

Instructions:

1. Add flour, cocoa, butter, sugar, and chili flakes to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture forms a soft dough.

2. Transfer dough to a large bowl and stir in the chocolate chips. Shape the mixture into a log and chill for 1 hour.

3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 325 degrees. When the dough is chilled, cut crosswise into 15 pieces.

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cookies have set. Let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

5. Drizzle with melted white chocolate and extra chili flakes, if desired. Serve as a dessert or as part of an afternoon tea.

9. Chocolate Orange Cake with Chili Chocolate Ganache

It might sound fancy — and the flavor won’t let you down—but this dessert is surprisingly simple to put together.

Total Cooking Time: 1 hr
Yield: 20 servings
Calories Per Serving: 287

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup Dutch cocoa powder
• 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup light olive oil
• 1 cup water, boiling
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons orange zest
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs

For the Ganache:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon chili pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a 9X11-inch baking pan.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together oil, boiling water, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to the dry mixture, folding until just incorporated.

4. Add the eggs one at a time and mix well.

5. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out mostly clean.

6. Let cake cool in the pan while you prepare the ganache.

7. Add chocolate to a medium heatproof bowl.

8. Add the cream and chili flakes to a small saucepan and set over medium heat. When the cream just comes to a simmer, remove it from the heat.

9. Pour the cream mixture over the chocolate and mix rapidly with a rubber spatula until the chocolate is melted. Set aside to cool.

10. When the ganache has thickened, pour it over the cake and spread it evenly over the surface. Let the ganache set for about 20 minutes before slicing the cake into squares.

Looking for another chocolate chili cake dessert option? Take a look at this one:

10. Chili Apple Crisp

In addition to being a good dessert to serve with spicy food, this apple crisp is inexpensive and easy to make.

Total Cooking Time: 1 hr
Yield: 6 servings
Calories Per Serving: 365

Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 cups apple slices
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Oil an 8-inch square baking dish.

2. Add apples to the baking dish in an even layer.

3. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and salt. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or the tips of your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

4. Spread the flour mixture over the apples and add the pan to the oven. Bake for 45 minutes, then cool slightly before serving dessert.

While it might seem odd to include a spicy element in a dessert recipe, it’s actually a common practice. After all, ground ginger is a baking staple, and that has quite a kick to it as well.

Here’s another dessert recipe idea to get you started:

The next time you’re wondering what dessert goes with chili, try researching the different pepper varieties. You might discover that inspiration can strike in unlikely places.

Also, remember that you might be able to freeze any leftover dessert. Here, you can find out more about which foods can handle the freezing process.

Useful Resources

• 10 Best Chocolate Recipes →
• How to Prevent a Dry or Dense Cake →
• The Ultimate Guide to 18 Essential Baking Tools →

In Conclusion

What dessert goes with chili? There are a number of dessert recipes you might choose from.

If you want the dessert to have a spicy kick on its own, you can include some form of chili pepper in the recipe. The ones we’ve included here should allow you to sample the possibilities.

Enjoy your fiesta — and especially your unique dessert!