Best 17 Cajeta Recipes

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH COCONUT-PECAN CAJETA FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the cake: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Melt the 12 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, add the muscovado and granulated sugars and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Add the coffee, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla extract and continue whisking until smooth and just combined. Add the dry ingredients and stir until the batter is smooth.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 40 to 45 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Invert the cakes onto the wire rack and let cool at least 1 hour before frosting.
• Make the frosting: Combine the whole milk, coconut milk and goat's milk in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat. Keep warm while you prepare the caramel.
• Combine the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over high heat and cook without stirring until a deep amber color, 8 to 10 minutes. Slowly and carefully whisk in the warm milk mixture and continue whisking until smooth. Add the vanilla seeds and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sauce is reduced by half and the consistency of a caramel sauce, about 55 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, vanilla extract, salt and rum (if using). Transfer the sauce to a medium bowl and stir in the pecans and shredded coconut. Let the frosting cool to room temperature, stirring it occasionally, before frosting the cake.
• To assemble the cake, slice each cake in half horizontally. Place 1 cake layer on a cake round and spread one-third of the frosting evenly over the top. Repeat to make 3 layers, then top with the remaining cake layer, top-side up.
• Make the ganache: Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan. Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl, add the hot cream and the corn syrup and let sit for 30 seconds. Gently whisk until smooth. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• Set the cake on a wire rack placed over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour the chocolate ganache over the cake, letting the excess drip down the sides. Sprinkle the top with toasted coconut and pecans. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours before slicing.
• Slice the cake and top with a dollop of Coconut Whipped Cream.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE-KAHLUA CAKE WITH CAJETA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9-inch round pie pan. Line pan with greased parchment or waxed paper. In the top of a double boiler, melt the butter and chocolate and stir until smooth. Whip the egg yolks and the sugar until fluffy and pale in color. Fold butter and chocolate mixture into the egg yolk and sugar mixture, adding the coffee liqueur. Whip the egg whites to soft peaks and gently fold into the chocolate mixture. Pour into the pie pan and bake for 25 to 35 minutes then allow to cool completely.
• Cajeta: In a medium saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil, do not stir. Remove from heat when the sugar is amber in color and add enough cream to thin the caramel to a fairly liquid consistency. Stir in butter. To test consistency, dip a spoon into the caramel mixture and allow to cool. If the "cajeta" is gooey but holds its shape, it's ready; if it hardens too much, add a little more cream and test again.
• Strawberry-Lime Salsa: In a blender, puree half the strawberries with the lime juice and the sugar. Strain and reserve. Cut the remainder of the strawberries in quarters and mix with the puree. Add chiffonade of mint.
• When the cajeta has cooled a little, but is still warm, pour over cake on top of a wire rack to catch the drippings. Using your hand, pat almonds all around the sides of the cake. Refrigerate for 2 hours and serve chilled with salsa.

REAL MEXICAN CAJETA (GOAT'S MILK CARAMEL OR DULCE DE LECHE)

Steps:

• In a large, heavy pot (not iron), combine the milk, sugar, and vanilla, and place over medium heat. Stir regularly until the milk comes to a simmer and sugar is dissolved. Remove the pot from the heat and add dissolved baking soda; it will bubble up at this point, especially with goat's milk. When the bubbles have subsided, return it to the heat.
• Adjust heat so that the mixture is simmering briskly but not boiling. Cook, stirring regularly, until the mixture turns pale golden, about one hour.
• You will now need to stir the milk more regularly as it begins to thicken and turns a caramel-brown color. Don't allow the milk to stick to the bottom of the pot. You can drop a few drops into a small glass of water. If a soft ball forms, the cajeta is ready.
• If you take the pot off the heat and allow the cajeta to cool, it should be a medium-thick sauce. If it's too thick, add hot water, 1 tablespoon at a time until it is the proper consistency. If it is too thin, return to the heat until it thickens.
• When the cajeta is cool, remove the vanilla bean. Strain the cajeta through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or wide-mouthed jar, then scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the cajeta. Refrigerate until ready to use. Cajeta is best served warm.

CAJETA (CROCK POT METHOD)

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Stir well, and cook on high for 10 hours.
• Stir occasionally the last hour.
• Strain through a fine strainer and then store in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
• Serve at room temperature. Good over cake, fruit, and ice cream. Enjoy!

CAJETA CARAMEL FUDGE

Steps:

• Line 9-inch square pan with foil. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
• In large microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and condensed milk uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave 45 seconds longer; stir until smooth. Add 1 1/2 cups cashews. Spread evenly in pan. Refrigerate 1 hour.
• In medium microwavable bowl, microwave white chocolate and cajeta uncovered on High 1 minute, stir. Microwave 45 seconds longer; stir until smooth. Spread evenly over fudge layer. Sprinkle with 1 cup cashews; press gently into caramel layer. Sprinkle with salt. Refrigerate about 3 hours or until firm. Cut into 6 rows by 6 rows. Store covered at room temperature.

CAJETA DE COCO (COCONUT FUDGE)

Steps:

• 1. In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients except for 1 cup of the shredded coconut.
• 2. On medium heat bring the ingredients to a boil, stirring constantly, then simmer for an additional 5 minutes until it comes together and you can see the bottom of the pan when you stir. Let the mixture cool down completely.
• 3. Take a spoonful at a time and form into 1 1/2 balls and place them on waxed paper.
• 4. Put the remaining shredded coconut in a small pan and toast it over medium heat until it just starts to turn brown.
• 5. Put the coconut in a shallow dish and roll the balls in it, coat it completely.
• 6. You can put the covered balls in mini cupcake liners. Chill.

CAJETA (CARAMEL CANDY)

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine 1 quart of the milk with the sugar and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until mixture turns golden.
• In the remaining quart of milk, stir in the soda and place in another saucepan.
• Add the cinnamon stick and bring to boil.
• Discard the cinnamon and add the hot milk very gradually to the caramel mixture, stirring constantly.
• When all the milk is incorporated, place over a low heat and cook very slowly until the mixture is thick like melted caramel.
• Cool slightly; then pour into a glass container and chill.
• Please note that the cooking times and yield are approximate.

CAJETA FLAN WITH CREAM CHEESE

Steps:

• PREHEAT oven to 350°F Place 1 cup of the sugar in small heavy saucepan; cook on medium heat until sugar is melted and deep golden brown, stirring constantly with wooden spoon. Remove from heat. Immediately pour into 9-inch round baking pan; tilt pan to evenly cover bottom of pan with syrup. Set aside.
• PLACE milk and cream cheese in blender; cover. Blend until smooth. Add remaining 1 cup sugar, the eggs, vanilla and salt; cover. Blend just until smooth; add cajeta and pour into prepared baking pan. Place filled baking pan in larger baking pan; add enough hot water to larger pan to come halfway up side of smaller pan.
• BAKE 50 minute to 1 hour or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool. Carefully remove flan from water. Cool on wire rack.
• REFRIGERATE several hours or unti chilled. When ready to serve, run a knife around the edge of the pan. Then, invert pan onto serving plate to unmold flan. Store any leftovers in refrigerator. If you have trouble getting the caramel out of the pan, place the bottom of the pan in hot water and then spoon the caramel on the flan.

BANANA AND CAJETA LAYERED CREPES

Steps:

• Place the flour, sugar, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water, milk, butter, eggs and salt in a blender and process until smooth, about 5 seconds. Turn off the motor. With a rubber spatula, scrape down the sides of the blender, and blend the batter for 20 seconds longer. Transfer the batter to a bowl and let it stand, covered, for 1 hour. The batter may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled.
• Meanwhile, blend the cajeta, whipping cream and cream cheese in a clean blender until smooth. Set aside.
• Heat a crepe pan or nonstick skillet measuring 6 to 7 inches across the bottom over moderate heat until it is hot. Brush the pan lightly with butter and heat until the pan is hot but not smoking. Stir the batter and pour 1/4 cup of the batter into the pan. Tilt and rotate the pan quickly to cover the bottom with a layer of batter. Loosen the edge of the crepe with a spatula, and cook the crepe until the top appears almost dry, about 1 minute. Flip the crepe, cook the other side lightly and transfer the crepe to a plate. Make crepes with all the remaining batter, brushing the pan lightly with butter as necessary.
• To assemble: On a 10-inch cake stand, or in a 9-inch glass pie dish, pour 1/4 cup cajeta cream into the center. Top with one crepe, more cajeta cream, sliced bananas and pecans. Repeat with remaining crepes, cream, bananas and pecans, finishing the last layer with bananas and pecans. Refrigerate until set, about 45 minutes. Serve cold.

CAJETA FLAN

Steps:

• Make caramel:
• Bring sugar and water to a boil in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then wash down any sugar crystals from side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water. Boil, without stirring, swirling pan occasionally so caramel colors evenly, until dark amber.
• Immediately divide caramel among ramekins and swirl each ramekin to coat bottom and about halfway up side.
• Make flan:
• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Put cajeta, half-and-half, and lime zest in a heavy medium saucepan. Split vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape seeds into saucepan, then drop in pod. Bring to a simmer, stirring until smooth.
• Whisk together whole eggs and yolks in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in hot liquid, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into another bowl. Ladle custard into ramekins.
• Bake in a hot water bath until edge is set but a quarter-size spot in center is still wobbly, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Remove ramekins from water and cool at least 30 minutes (custard will continue to set). Unmold just before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CAJETA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large (6-quart) heavy bottomed saucepan, bring milk to a boil over medium-high heat. Add sugar and cook, stirring to dissolve.
• Add vanilla beans to saucepan and bring to a simmer. In a small bowl whisk together baking soda and 1 1/2 tablespoons water until baking soda is dissolved. Reduce heat to low and add baking soda mixture to saucepan and cook, stirring constantly. If mixture begins to foam up too high, remove from heat for a moment until foam goes down.
• Cook, stirring every 15 minutes or so, until mixture turns brown and is thickened and reduced to 3 cups, 6 to 8 hours. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve and let cool slightly.

CAJETA GELATIN

Steps:

• Sprinkle the gelatin in 1/2 cup water. Let stand about 2 minutes to soften. Microwave on high for 45 seconds. Stir for 15 seconds, until the gelatin is dissolved.
• In a 2-quart saucepan, heat the evaporated milk until hot, making sure not to boil. Whisk in the cajeta until smooth and evenly incorporated. Stir in the gelatin mixture to the cajeta mixture and turn the heat off to cool slightly.
• In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the cream cheese and beat on medium speed while slowly adding 1/3 cup of the cajeta cream to temper the cream cheese and avoid curdling or separation. Gradually add the remaining cajeta cream and continue beating until smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and beat again until fully incorporated and frothy. Strain the cream into a glass pitcher or into a 4-cup liquid measure, maintaining as much froth as possible. Pour 1 cup of the cream into each of the 4 wine glasses.
• Garnish with 3 to 5 fresh raspberries (the raspberries will remain afloat in the froth). Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

CAJETA

Steps:

• In a large, heavy-bottom saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, and vanilla and place over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the dissolved baking soda. When the bubbling stops, return the pan to the heat, bring back to a simmer, and cook, stirring often, for 1 hour, or until the mixture starts to thicken and turn golden. At this point the cajeta will start to thicken fast, so don't leave the pan unattended. Continue to cook, stirring constantly so it doesn't burn or stick to the bottom of the pan, for another 20 minutes, or until the cajeta is a rich brown color and thick enough to coat the back of the spoon. It should cool to a medium-thick caramel consistency. If it's too thick, add a small amount of water; if it's too thin, continue to cook until thickened.
• Transfer to a container, let cool, then cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Warm slightly before serving. It will keep for about 1 month in the refrigerator.

BANANA CAJETA CASHEW GELATO

Steps:

• Make the Plain Base and chill as directed.
• Place the bananas, sugar, and lemon juice in a blender and add half of the base. Blend until smooth, then whisk into the remaining base. Pour the mixture into the container of an ice cream machine and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. Add the cashews 5 minutes before the churning is completed.
• Just after churning, drizzle the cajeta over the top and quickly and lightly swirl in a zigzag pattern with a spoon or butter knife.

CAJETA GELATIN

Steps:

• Spray 8 (6-oz) custard cups with cooking spray. In small microwavable bowl, sprinkle gelatin on water. Let stand about 2 minutes to soften. Microwave on High 30 to 45 seconds, stirring after 15 seconds, until gelatin is dissolved.
• In 2-quart saucepan, heat evaporated milk over medium heat until hot. DO NOT BOIL. Stir in cajeta until well blended. Stir in gelatin mixture and 2 tablespoons brandy. Pour into custard cups. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate about 8 hours or until set.
• In small bowl, mix egg yolks and sugar. In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream just to boiling over low heat. Stir small amount of whipping cream into egg yolk mixture; slowly stir mixture into whipping cream in saucepan. Cook over low heat about 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until custard coats a spoon. DO NOT BOIL. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons brandy. Cover surface with waxed paper. Cool 15 minutes. Refrigerate until mixture is cold, at least 4 hours or overnight, until serving time.
• To unmold, run knife around edge of cups to loosen; turn upside down onto individual dessert plates. Garnish with mint leaves. Serve with crème anglaise. Cover and refrigerate any remaining gelatin.

DEE'S CAJETA KAHLUA COFFEE

Steps:

• Mix the caramel in the hot coffee.
• Splash some 1/2 and 1/2 cream; put in liqueur to taste.
• Top with whipped cream; sprinkle cinnamon on top.

BAKED APPLES WITH CAJETA

Steps:

• To prepare the cajeta, combine the milk (water if using evaporated milk), sugar and corn syrup in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. When the mixture comes to a boil, add the baking soda which should cause the brew to become quite bubbly. Lower the heat to acheive a steady but slow simmer.
• Cook for 60 minutes. Initially, you can stir occasionally, but as the syrup thickens and becomes caramel colored you will need to stir more often. When done, cajeta will have the of a very thick syrup like one you might use on top of ice cream. Indeed, it's great on ice cream so if you have leftovers --
• The cajeta can be made well in advance and can keep for a month or more if stored properly. Just cool and store in the fridge in a tightly covered container. Rewarm before serving, adding a bit of milk or water as needed to thin it.
• To prepare the baked apples, begin by placing the piloncillo in foil and bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 20 minutes until they are soft enough to coarsely chop by hand or in a mini chopper.
• Combine the chopped pilocillo (or dark brown sugar) with the chopped pecans, butter and flour in a small bowl.
• Core each apple and slice in half, placing them cut side up into a baking dish. Pour the cider into the baking dish. Top apples with a mound of the sugar/nut mixture, placing most of it in the core hollow.
• Cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the apples are soft and the cider has reduced to a syrup.
• Serve two apple halves on each plate topped with the warmed cajeta.
• (Piloncillo is an unrefined brown sugar that has a bolder flavor than American brown sugar - image brown sugar with a touch of the bite of molasses. It is typically manufactured into hard nuggets or cones and sold in Mexican markets.).