From Chelsie Kenyon,
Your Guide to Mexican Food.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Definition: Piloncillo is made from pure, unrefined sugar that is pressed into a cone shape. It tastes very similar to brown sugar with a molasses flavor (even though it does not contain molasses) and you can use it for anything that calls for brown sugar. It's name means "little pylon" because of it's shape. The smaller cones are usually around 1 ounce and the larger ones around 8 ounces. They comein light, "blanco" and dark "oscura."

Some delicious Mexican recipes using piloncillo include Capirotada, a bread pudding and Atole, a sweet, porridge style drink.

If you don't have piloncillo on hand, you can substitute 1 cup of dark brown sugar and 1 tablespoon molasses for each 8 to 9oz cone.

Pronunciation: pee-lon-SEE-yoh

Also Known As: panela