Cajeta
User Reviews
4.8
Cajeta
Description
Cajeta is a traditional Mexican confection prepared by gently cooking goat milk combined with sugar, a cinnamon stick, baking soda, and vanilla extract. The process involves simmering and frequent stirring to reduce the mixture until it thickens and caramelizes, developing a rich amber color and sweet, slightly toasted flavor with cinnamon undertones.
The baking soda causes the milk to bubble and froth, which must be carefully managed by continuous stirring to prevent burning. The final consistency ranges from syrupy to very thick depending on cooking duration, typically similar to honey.
This sweet sauce is commonly used as a topping for desserts, filling for pastries, or sweetener for beverages. It adds complexity with goat milk's characteristic flavor and aromatic cinnamon.
Stopping the cooking earlier results in a thinner cajeta perfect for drizzling, while longer cooking creates a thicker spread. The sauce thickens further on cooling but can be gently reheated to soften. Using a spatula to check for a thick coating or trails on the pot bottom indicates doneness.
Ingredients
- 4 cups goat milk divided
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of goats milk with the baking soda. Set aside.
- Place the remaining goats milk, sugar, and cinnamon stick in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium to medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar.
- Remove the pot from the heat and add in the baking soda mixture. The milk will begin to bubble and froth up quickly. Continue stirring. Once the mixture stops bubbling, return the pot to the heat and bring it back to a low simmer.
- Cook until the mixture has reduced and thickened (about 45-60 minutes). Be sure to stir frequently, especially towards the end of the cooking time, scraping the bottom of the pot so it doesn't burn. The cajeta is done when you can scrape the mixture aside and see the bottom of the pot.* It should be thick like honey.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Notes
- For a thinner cajeta, remove from heat when it coats the back of a spoon and trails disappear quickly.
- For thicker cajeta, cook longer until it easily holds a trail when scraped and becomes noticeably dense.
- It thickens further upon cooling; gently reheat to soften before using if needed.
- Stir frequently during cooking, especially near the end, to prevent burning and ensure even caramelization.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 131 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 131kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 24g | 8% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 10mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 109mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 169mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Sugar | 24g | 48% |
| Vitamin A | 100IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 100mg | 10% |
| Iron | 0mg | 0% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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