Pastel de Elote (Mexican Sweetcorn Cake)
Why this recipe works
- Custardy corn crumb: Blending the sweetcorn with milk creates a naturally creamy base while keeping enough texture for a recognisable corn bite.
- Simple structure: A small amount of flour and baking powder gives the cake enough lift without making it dry or bready.
- Best served warm: Serving the cake slightly warm brings out the butter, vanilla and sweetcorn flavour, and keeps the centre soft.
Get the most out of this recipe
Texture tips
- For a finer crumb: Blend the corn a little longer if you prefer a smoother cake, but avoid turning it completely thin and watery.
- Keep the centre tender: Bake until the centre is just set with a slight wobble; a completely dry skewer can mean the cake has gone too far.
Ingredient notes
- Sweetcorn matters: Use naturally sweet corn kernels for the best flavour, as the corn is the main character rather than just a background ingredient.
- For extra richness: Whole milk keeps the crumb soft, while evaporated milk gives a richer, more traditional-style finish.
Timing notes
- Let it settle briefly: Cooling the cake in the tin for 10 minutes helps the custardy crumb firm enough to slice without losing its warmth.
- Serve warm when possible: The texture is at its softest when warm; if serving later, reheat slices briefly before eating.
Make-ahead tips
- Bake ahead: The cake can be baked in advance, cooled completely, covered and refrigerated until needed.
- Reheat gently: Warm slices in a 160°C (320°F) oven until heated through, which restores the softer texture without drying the edges.
- Freeze in slices: Freeze well-wrapped slices, then defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (355°F). Grease a 20 cm cake tin with a little of the unsalted butter.
- Melt the remaining unsalted butter and set aside to cool slightly. In a small bowl, whisk together the plain flour, baking powder and fine sea salt.
- Add the sweet corn kernels and whole milk to a blender and blend until mostly smooth, with a little texture left. Tip into a mixing bowl.
- Whisk in the eggs, caster sugar, vanilla extract and the melted butter until well combined. Fold in the flour mixture just until you no longer see dry flour.
- Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and the centre is just set with a slight wobble. A skewer should come out with a few moist crumbs rather than wet batter.
- Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then slice and serve warm for the soft, custardy crumb. If serving later, warm slices briefly before eating.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the most tender texture, stop blending the corn while it still has a little bite rather than making it completely smooth.
- If the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil for the final 10 to 15 minutes of baking.
- If you are serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, ensure the cake is baked until fully set throughout.
Substitutions
- Replace caster sugar with light brown sugar for a deeper, caramel-like sweetness.
- Replace vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste for a more pronounced vanilla flavour.
- Replace whole milk with evaporated milk for a richer, more traditional-style crumb.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool completely, then cover and refrigerate. Reheat slices in a 160°C (320°F) oven for 8 to 10 minutes until warmed through; freeze slices well wrapped for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 8 servings
- Total time: 1h 15min (15min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Mexican
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Allergens:
Eggs Gluten Milk Wheat
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