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My Mom’s Quesadilla Cake Recipe

El Salvadorian Quesadilla Cake

 

When my dad ran the Japanese restaurant years ago, my mom would bake this cake every week, cutting them into square portions and wrap them up in plastic wrap to be sold at the counter for something like 50 cents. This quesadilla isn’t the cheese-filled tortilla that you’re accustomed to; instead it’s an El Salvadorian sweet and slightly savory cake moistened with sour cream and flavored with parmesan cheese. Kind of a strange combination of ingredients at first read but after you taste it you’ll realize that it works deliciously. This cake isn’t going to win any beauty pageants but it will win your adoration. It’s a breeze to make and you’ll be rewarded with tasty sweets to nibble on all week long.

Here’s the recipe direct from mom —

El Salvadorian Quesadilla Cake Recipe

I baked it for about 35 minutes but gauge on checking it anywhere from 25-35 minutes, depending on the strength of your oven. Mine kind of sucks. When it’s set in the middle and the top is golden brown it’s done. Oh, and my mom doesn’t add sesame seeds on top like I did but after doing some research on authentic quesadilla cakes and noticing that most of them included it, I did too. I think it looks pretty.

Me and my mom when we lived at the ranch, circa 1988

 

11 comments
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  • alyssaMarch 22, 2012 - 11:55 am

    I think I’ll have to try this! And love you on the horse, so cute. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Island VittlesMarch 22, 2012 - 1:27 pm

    I am in love with this cake…never heard of it before, but I already love it. Making it this weekend! TheresaReplyCancel

  • fatpiginthemarketMarch 22, 2012 - 5:37 pm

    I’m completely obsessed with sesame seeds of all sorts and I also love little cake squares. This would be so good with an iced coffee…right now!ReplyCancel

  • JessicaMarch 22, 2012 - 8:17 pm

    This looks amazing! Looks light and so tasty. Love the sound of a quesadilla cake too. I’m sure it sells out everytime 🙂 Thank you for sharing a family recipe!ReplyCancel

  • Fresh and FoodieMarch 24, 2012 - 3:41 pm

    Anything called quesadilla cake has to be awesome! I love your family’s recipes.ReplyCancel

  • AdrianaMarch 26, 2012 - 5:28 pm

    Todos los dias se aprende algo nuevo! I love the idea of this sweet and savory cake/quickbread.ReplyCancel

  • sarahMarch 28, 2012 - 11:40 am

    I love love love a savory cake and really anything with cheese so this pretty much sounds fantastic.ReplyCancel

  • Kristen ParksOctober 2, 2018 - 9:23 pm

    I made this a couple of days ago (used buttermilk since I had some on hand to use up) and OMG…DELISH!!! It was moist and delicious. A bit on the dense side but it was amazing. I shared with some of my students (one being from El Salvador) and all I heard was amazing happiness and a request for this recipe. My student from El Salvador said it was so delicious and rich so further Salvadorian approved. I will keep this on hand. Thanks for this recipe!ReplyCancel

    • StephanieOctober 15, 2018 - 4:45 pm

      Hi Kristen,

      I’m so glad you and your students enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorite recipes!ReplyCancel

  • Myrna JonesJune 23, 2020 - 4:50 pm

    How much is a cube of butter? Is this any pancake mix? Is bisquick considered a pancake mix?ReplyCancel

  • Julianne HoOctober 13, 2020 - 2:59 pm

    I have used your recipe for the past few years and I meant to thank you! I was raised by an amazing el Salvadoran woman who used to make this for me as a special treat. I missed it so much and was so grateful to find this recipe as an adult. Thank you for sharing. I really appreciate it.ReplyCancel

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