If you’ve ever visited Don Pablo’s, chances are you’ve fallen in love with their deliciously sweet, creamy corn cake. The perfect side to any Mexican-inspired meal, this corn cake is both savory and sweet, with a wonderfully soft and moist texture.
Today, I’ll share with you an easy-to-follow recipe to recreate this restaurant favorite right in your own kitchen!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup softened butter (real butter works best!)
- ⅓ cup corn flour (masa harina)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 can (10 ounces) cream-style corn
- ¼ cup cornmeal
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder (non-aluminum preferred)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Set aside an 8×8-inch baking pan and a larger 9×13-inch baking dish for a water bath.
Step 2: Cream the Butter
In a medium-sized bowl, cream the softened butter until smooth and fluffy.
Step 3: Mix in Corn Flour and Water
Add the corn flour (masa harina) and water to the creamed butter, mixing thoroughly until fully combined. This forms the deliciously tender base for your corn cake.
Step 4: Add Cream-style Corn
Pour in the can of cream-style corn, stirring gently until evenly mixed. This is where that signature Don Pablo’s creamy sweetness comes into play!
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, sugar, heavy cream, salt, and baking powder until blended evenly.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients into your corn mixture, stirring until you achieve a smooth, uniform batter.
Step 7: Bake with a Water Bath
Pour your batter into the ungreased 8×8-inch pan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Place this pan into the larger baking dish and carefully pour hot water into the larger dish until it reaches about ⅓ up the sides of your smaller pan. The water bath method helps steam the cake, giving it that authentically soft, moist texture!
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the corn cake is set.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Remove carefully from the oven, and let it cool for about 10 minutes.
To serve, use an ice cream scoop to dish out perfectly portioned, restaurant-style servings.
Looking for more irresistible desserts? Try the famously decadent Are You Kidding Me Cake—it’s an absolute crowd-pleaser!
Tips for Perfection:
- Don’t skip the water bath. It’s key to achieving that signature moist texture.
- For extra sweetness, sprinkle a bit of sugar on top right after baking.
- Serve warm for maximum deliciousness, just like Don Pablo’s.
Enjoy!
This corn cake pairs wonderfully with tacos, fajitas, grilled meats, or even just as a cozy dessert. So why not give it a try and bring that sweet, comforting taste of Don Pablo’s into your own home?
Happy cooking! 🌽✨
