Heavenly Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes
These Heavenly Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes are a delightful, irresistible treat inspired by The Cheesecake Factory's famous appetizer. Bursting with flavor and perfect for sharing, these tamale cakes boast a wonderful combination of sweet corn, spices, and creamy sauces. This recipe not only highlights the farm-fresh ingredients but also brings out the comforting essence of traditional Mexican cuisine. Though they may look complex, the process is straightforward and can easily be handled by hand, adding a personal touch to each cake. Perfect for gatherings, they'll quickly become a crowd favorite, whether enjoyed as an appetizer or a satisfying snack. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself sneaking back for seconds—or thirds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
34
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tomatillos
2 (diced)
Mild green chilies
4 ounces (drained and diced)
Green onion
1 (minced)
Fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons (minced (for salsa verde))
Granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons
Ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon
Salt
1/4 teaspoon
Ground black pepper
1 pinch
Tomato
1 medium (diced)
Spanish onion
1 tablespoon (minced)
Fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon (minced (for tomato salsa))
Lime juice
1/4 teaspoon
Jalapeño
1/2 small (seeded and minced)
Salt
1 dash
Ground black pepper
1 dash
Mayonnaise
1/2 cup
White vinegar
1 teaspoon
Water
1 teaspoon
Granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon
Chili powder
1/2 teaspoon
Paprika
1/4 teaspoon
Cayenne pepper
1 pinch
Onion powder
1 pinch
Salt
1 dash
Garlic powder
1 dash
Frozen sweet corn
1 1/2 cups
Butter
1/2 cup (softened)
Sugar
3 tablespoons
Salt
1 pinch
Corn masa harina flour
1/2 cup
All-purpose flour
2 tablespoons
Sour cream
1/4 cup
Avocado
1/2 (diced)
Fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Heavenly Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes?
They are a delightful appetizer featuring sweet corn, spices, and creamy sauces, inspired by a famous restaurant dish.
What inspired this recipe?
These tamale cakes are inspired by the famous appetizer served at The Cheesecake Factory.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as vegetarian-friendly.
What are the primary ingredients in the tamale cakes?
The cakes are made from frozen sweet corn, butter, sugar, corn masa harina, and all-purpose flour.
How many ingredients are required in total?
The recipe calls for a total of 34 ingredients across the cakes and various salsas.
Can these tamale cakes be made by hand?
Yes, the process is straightforward and can easily be handled by hand to add a personal touch.
What kind of corn should I use for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 1/2 cups of frozen sweet corn.
What type of flour is used in the cakes?
The recipe uses a combination of corn masa harina flour and all-purpose flour.
Are the tamale cakes baked or fried?
According to the recipe tags, these tamale cakes are baked.
What ingredients are in the Salsa Verde?
The Salsa Verde consists of diced tomatillos, mild green chilies, green onion, cilantro, sugar, cumin, salt, and pepper.
What goes into the Tomato Salsa?
The tomato salsa is made with diced tomato, Spanish onion, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeño, salt, and pepper.
Is there a creamy sauce included in the recipe?
Yes, a creamy sauce is made using mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and a blend of spices.
What spices are used in the creamy sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
How is the avocado used in this recipe?
A half of an avocado is diced and used as a topping or garnish for the tamale cakes.
What kind of onion is used in the tomato salsa?
The recipe specifically calls for minced Spanish onion for the tomato salsa.
Is cilantro used in multiple parts of the recipe?
Yes, cilantro is used in the salsa verde, the tomato salsa, and as a final garnish.
What is the role of butter in this recipe?
Softened butter is used as a primary fat source in the sweet corn cake mixture.
How much sour cream is needed?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of sour cream as part of the ingredients.
Is the jalapeño spicy?
The recipe uses half a small jalapeño, seeded and minced, to provide a mild kick to the salsa.
Are these tamale cakes good for parties?
Yes, they are described as a perfect crowd favorite for gatherings and social events.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It is a combination of sweet corn, savory spices, and refreshing creamy and acidic sauces.
Does the recipe use fresh tomatillos?
Yes, the recipe calls for two diced tomatillos for the salsa verde.
What type of vinegar is recommended?
The recipe specifies using white vinegar for the sauce.
Can I substitute the frozen corn for fresh?
While the recipe calls for frozen corn, fresh sweet corn can typically be used as a high-quality substitute.
Is masa harina different from cornmeal?
Yes, masa harina is a specific type of corn flour treated with lime, which is essential for the authentic tamale flavor.
Is there any lime juice in the recipe?
Yes, a small amount (1/4 teaspoon) of lime juice is used in the tomato salsa.
Is this dish considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food due to its satisfying textures and traditional Mexican flavors.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include tamale cakes, sweet corn, appetizer, Mexican cuisine, and copycat recipe.
How much sugar is in the corn cake base?
The corn cake mixture itself uses 3 tablespoons of sugar.
What is the texture of these cakes?
They have a wonderful combination of soft sweet corn texture and a slightly firm exterior from the masa and flour.