Piloncillo

A hard, unrefined brown cane sugar that is most common in Mexican regions as either a light colored variety known as blanco, or as a darker variety, known as oscuro. Piloncillo is available as small single servings of less than an ounce, as round, flat cakes known as panela, or as cone-shaped blocks (approximately 10 ounces) either to be used in flavoring beverages, such as coffee and hot chocolate, or for slicing off portions to be added to cooked or baked foods.