Best Easy Pastel de Cajeta Recipe

Goat's milk caramel cake is a uniquely Mexican dessert with rich, caramelized flavor. This family celebration treat is a sweet, elegant, distinctive cake for special occasions.

Cook 90 min Difficulty NORMAL 385 kcal
#Mexican dessert #Goat's milk caramel cake #Birthday cake #Family celebration
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • all-purpose flour 1.5 cups
  • baking powder 2 tsp
  • unsalted butter 0.5 cup
  • white sugar 0.75 cup
  • large eggs 4 pieces
  • whole milk 0.5 cup
  • cajeta (goat’s milk caramel) 1 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
  • vanilla extract 2 tsp
  • salt 0.5 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 53 g 55%
Protein 7 g 7%
Fat 16 g 38%
Serving size 120g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan to prevent sticking.

  2. 2

    In a bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside for even leavening.

  3. 3

    In a separate large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar at medium speed until pale and fluffy. Add vanilla extract, then beat in eggs one at a time until mixture is smooth.

  4. 4

    Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix gently after each addition to avoid over-mixing and maintain tenderness.

  5. 5

    Pour half the cajeta into the bottom of the prepared pan. Gently spread the cake batter over the cajeta with a spatula, smoothing the top. Swirl in the remaining cajeta over the batter by gently dragging a knife through it.

  6. 6

    Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and the cake is golden. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate to allow the caramel to coat the cake.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The core ingredient in Pastel de Cajeta is cajeta, a traditional Mexican caramel sauce made from goat's milk. It infuses the cake with a uniquely rich, sweet, and deep caramel flavor that sets this dessert apart from other cakes.
Q. How do I prevent the cake from sticking or burning at the bottom?
Greasing and flouring your cake pan before adding the cajeta is essential for an easy release. Also, baking at 350°F and not exceeding recommended bake time ensures the caramel doesn't burn and the cake stays tender.
Q. What texture should the cake have, and how can I avoid it becoming dense?
The cake should be light and moist with a caramelized, glossy top. To avoid density, alternate adding flour and milk to the beaten butter-sugar mix and avoid over-mixing the batter, which helps maintain a tender crumb.
Q. How many calories and what is the protein-to-carb ratio per serving?
Each serving contains about 385 kcal, with 53g carbohydrates (55%), 7g protein (7%), and 16g fat (38%). The carbohydrate content is significantly higher than protein, resulting in a sweet, energy-rich dessert.
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