Cajeta facts for kids
Cajeta candy for sale in Toluca
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| Course | dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Mexico |
| Main ingredients | goat's milk |
Cajeta is a yummy sweet treat, a bit like a thick caramel. It's usually made from sweetened goat's milk that has been cooked until it turns thick and golden brown. Think of it as a special type of dulce de leche. In Mexico, cajeta is especially famous in the city of Celaya, located in the state of Guanajuato.
Cajeta is made by gently cooking goat's milk. Sometimes, other sweet liquids are used too. The mixture is stirred often as it cooks. This helps the water evaporate, making the milk thicker. As it thickens, it also caramelizes, giving it that rich flavor and color.
In Celaya, people started making cajeta with a mix of half goat's milk and half cow's milk. This delicious candy then became popular all over Mexico. In other places, similar milk candies are known as leche quemada or dulce de leche.
You can enjoy cajeta in many ways. It's great on its own as a sweet snack. People also spread it on bread or use it as a filling for pastries like churros. It makes a tasty topping for ice cream too!
Special Cajeta Flavors
Some special recipes add certain liquors to cajeta. These are called cajeta envinada. There's also cajeta envinada especial. This version is even richer, with added ingredients like raisins, almonds, pecans, or other nuts.
Cajeta is often used as a topping for crêpes. It can be warmed with a little milk to make a sweet sauce. This sauce is then poured over the crêpes for a delicious dessert. Another traditional Mexican candy uses cajeta between thin wafers called obleas.
Cajeta in Recent Times
In 2006, a grocery store chain called H-E-B in San Antonio, Texas, started selling cajeta-flavored ice cream. This shows how popular cajeta has become!
In September 2010, cajeta received a special honor. It was named the Bicentennial Dessert of Mexico. This celebrated its long history, traditions, and where it came from. Cajeta was first made in Celaya, Guanajuato. This state is where Mexico's fight for independence began in 1810.
During the Mexican War of Independence, cajeta was very important. It was easy to store and transport. It also lasted for many months without going bad. This made it a vital food source for the soldiers, who often didn't have much to eat.
Images for kids
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Dulce de leche pot
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Dulce de leche-flavored ice cream
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Dulce de leche roll
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Pancake
See also
In Spanish: Dulce de leche para niños
