Cajeta Recipes

CAJETA (MEXICAN CARAMEL SAUCE)

Steps:

• Stir together the milk and sugar in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. (Make sure the liquid only goes three fourths the way up the sides, as it will froth when the baking soda is added.) Add the cinnamon stick, salt, vanilla extract and vanilla bean seeds plus the empty vanilla bean pods. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat while constantly stirring. This will take about 15 minutes. DO NOT take your eyes off the pot. It boils over easily and quickly!
• When the milk comes to a boil, quickly remove from heat and add baking soda to the pot. The mixture will rise and get frothy, just keep stirring the mixture.
• Place the pot back on the stove over medium heat, and stir frequently, about every 10 minutes or so. Make sure the milk stays at a gentle simmer rather than a raging boil, and stir across the bottom of the pot to make sure the mixture is not scorching. Adjust heat as needed.
• After about an hour and a half, the milk should start to turn golden brown. Remove the cinnamon stick and the vanilla pod. At this point, it will start to thicken fast, so it's important to keep stirring so the milk doesn't burn on the bottom of the pan.
• Keep stirring until the mixture is a rich brown and thick enough to coat the back of the spoon, this will happen after about 15 to 30 minutes. Allow the sauce to cool slightly and then pour into airtight containers. The mixture will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

EMPANADAS DE CAJETA

Steps:

• Combine the flour and margarine in a large bowl, mixing thoroughly with a stand mixer or with your hands.
• Add the cream bit by bit, mixing the empanada dough until sticky but not watery.
• On a floured surface, take chunks of the dough and roll them into balls that are about 1 and ½ inches wide.
• Place plastic sheets or bags onto your empanada or tortilla press. This way, the dough won't stick to the metal surface.
• Place a dough ball in the middle of the press and press until a circle is formed. Move the flattened disc aside, and repeat the process until all of the dough has been made into circles.
• At this point, you can go ahead and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Lay out your dough circles, and place about one tablespoon of cajeta in the center of each circle. You want to be careful not to add too much cajeta, or it will melt and run out of the empanadas as they bake.
• On a lightly floured surface, close the empanadas by folding them over the cajeta dollops and then securing the seam by making marks around the edge with your fork.
• Brush the empanadas with the egg wash and place them on a lightly floured baking sheet (or one covered with parchment paper). Bake for 20- 30 minutes or until just golden brown.
• Some people sprinkle the empanadas with granulated sugar before serving, but that's more common in Mexico.

HOMEMADE CAJETA

Steps:

• Place a large pot (I use my new copper one!) over medium heat. Pour milk, vanilla, sugar and baking soda, give it a good stir and let it come to a simmer. Keep it at a steady medium simmer for about one hour and a half, stirring occasionally, every 15 to 20 minutes or so, with a wooden spatula or spoon. The mix will gradually thicken and darken.
• After about an hour and a half, the liquid will have thickened and reduced and the simmer will become stronger. Reduce the heat to medium low, to keep it at that constant medium simmer. You want active bubbling, but not over the top angry bubbles. Stir a bit more frequently, as you don't want the bottom to develop a thicker layer.
• You know the Cajeta is ready when: It achieves a caramel brown color; it is thick as liquid caramel or syrup, much like a chocolate syrup consistency; it envelops the back of the spoon; when you gently stir across the pot with your wooden spoon, a slightly delayed trail behind the spoon appears, revealing the bottom of the pot if only for a few seconds; as you slowly lift up the wooden spoon or spatula, Cajeta takes it's time to drop and lastly, the sides of the pot show how the Cajeta has cooked down and if you run your spoon across that side, you get a fudgy (and delicious) residue.
• Turn off the heat and let cool (it will thicken considerably as it cools).
• Place in a glass jar, cover tightly with a lid. It will keep in refrigerator for up to 6 months.

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.

VEGAN CAJETA

Steps:

• In a large pot, combine the coconut milk, sugar, vanilla, baking soda, and salt. While stirring frequently, heat the mixture over medium until it comes to a simmer, about 5 minutes.
• Turn the heat down to medium-low and continue to simmer the mixture for another 50-60 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes or so.
• The cajeta is done when you can see the bottom of the pot after scraping it or when it sticks to the back of a spoon easily (like molasses).
• Remove the pot from heat and allow the mixture to cool before transferring it to a mason jar for storage. Serve on waffles, crepes, ice cream, toast, etc. Happy eating!

CAJETA SAUCE RECIPE {GOAT'S MILK CARAMEL SAUCE}

Steps:

• Combine. Combine all the ingredients in a large (8 quart) pot. Heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently, over medium heat. Watch closely as it will boil rapidly in the beginning. Cook. Reduce heat until mixture is gently boiling. Not too low or it will take forever, but not too high that it is at an angry boil. Stir occasionally and once it is golden brown and starting to get thick, stir more frequently. Check for doneness. Once mixture is thick and a spoon scraped on the bottom of the pot leaves a distinct trail that takes a second to run back in on itself it is ready. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half depending on how rapidly it is boiling. Mine usually takes about 45 minutes. Enjoy! Let sauce cool at least 30 minutes then drizzle over your favorite treat or transfer to a container with a tight lid and refrigerate for up to 2 months.

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.

CAJETA

Steps:

• Combine the milk, sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a medium, tall, heavy-duty pot. Scrape the vanilla bean into the pot and add the pod (if using vanilla extract or brandy, do not add yet). Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick to the bottom. Remove from the heat, add the baking soda, and stir carefully as it will bubble and steam up. When the bubbling has stopped, return it to the heat.
• Adjust the heat so the mixture is at a constant simmer, stirring often so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Once it has turned a golden color, pay more attention and stir more often. Cook until it is thick and a dark caramel color, about 1 hour. (It will get thicker and stickier as it cools.) Remove from the heat. If using vanilla extract or brandy, add it now, being careful not to burn yourself because the cajeta may steam a little. Allow to cool before using. Remove the vanilla bean. (If you feel the caramel has thickened too much once it's cooled, simply stir in a bit of warm water).