Is pan de elote considered a dessert?

Yes, pan de elote is a traditional Mexican dessert. It's sweet, moist, and often enjoyed after meals or with coffee. While it resembles cornbread in appearance, its flavor and texture are closer to a custard cake than a savory bread.

What’s the origin of pan de elote?

Pan de elote has its roots in rural Mexico, especially in corn-rich states like Michoacán. It was traditionally baked in wood-fired ovens using fresh seasonal corn and simple pantry ingredients, passed down through generations as a family treat.

What is the name of Mexican cornbread?

In Spanish, “Mexican cornbread” is known as pan de elote . It's not the same as American cornbread—it’s softer, sweeter, and usually made with fresh corn and sweetened milk.

What’s the difference between elote and street corn?

“Elote” refers to corn on the cob in Spanish, while “Mexican street corn” typically means grilled elote slathered with mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime. Pan de elote uses corn, but in a dessert form, baked into a sweet cake.

Pan de Elote – 5-Step Guide to Perfect Mexican Corn Cake

Name: Pan de Elote: Traditional Mexican Sweet Corn Cake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 cups fresh corn kernels; 4 large eggs; 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk; ½ cup whole milk; ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Optional: ¼ cup all-purpose flour

Description

A sweet, moist Mexican corn cake made with fresh corn and sweetened condensed milk. Simple, comforting, and perfect for dessert or breakfast.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups fresh corn kernels

4 large eggs

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

½ cup whole milk

¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional: ¼ cup all-purpose flour

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.

2. Blend corn, eggs, condensed milk, whole milk, vanilla, and butter until smooth.

3. Add baking powder, salt, and optional flour. Blend to combine.

4. Pour into prepared pan and smooth the top.

5. Bake for 45–50 minutes until golden and firm.

6. Let cool before slicing and serving.

Notes

You can add cinnamon or coconut for variation.

Store in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 250
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 160mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 85mg