Best 20 Pastel Recipes

MEXICAN TRES LECHES CAKE (PASTEL DE 3 LECHES)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan.
• Beat egg whites in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl until foamy. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Clean beaters.
• Beat egg yolks in a separate bowl until creamy. Add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and continue beating until pale yellow. Fold egg yolks into egg white mixture using a spatula. Sift in flour and carefully fold into the batter; mix in zest of 1 lime. Pour batter into the prepared springform pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until edges pull away from the sides of the pan, about 30 minutes. Turn off oven but keep cake in the closed oven for an additional 20 minutes.
• Prepare the '3 milks' while cake is resting in the oven. Combine condensed milk, evaporated milk, 1 cup heavy cream, and amaretto liqueur in a blender; blend until well combined.
• Remove the cake from the springform pan and and place on a serving plate. Pierce the cake several times across the top with a fork. Pour the '3 milks' mixture over the cake. Refrigerate cake until cool and milk mixture has soaked in, about 1 hour.
• Beat 1 cup heavy cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Garnish the top of the cake with whipped cream, peach slices, and 1 teaspoon lime zest.

PASTEL DE ELOTE (MEXICAN CORN CAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan. Chill in freezer.
• Cut kernels from ears of corn with a sharp knife. Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
• Combine eggs, condensed milk, whole milk, and corn kernels in a blender; blend until smooth. Transfer egg mixture to a bowl with butter and mix well.
• Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt into a large bowl. Add egg mixture and mix well to combine.
• Remove cake pan from freezer. Grease and flour again. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove from tin and cool on a wire rack.

CHILEAN POTATO PIE (PASTEL DE PAPAS)

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish.
• Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for a minute or two. Mash the hot potatoes with butter and salt. Let cool until just warm; stir in the beaten egg until smooth.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and tomato paste; continue cooking until the tomatoes soften and begin to lose their shape. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the panquehue cheese and parsley; season to taste with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
• Spread half of the mashed potato mixture into the prepared baking dish. Cover with the ground beef mixture, then spread the remaining mashed potatoes over the beef to completely cover.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the potatoes are hot and the top is lightly browned, about 40 minutes.

CREAMY PASTEL MINTS

Steps:

• Place cream cheese in a bowl; let stand at room temperature to soften slightly. Stir in extract until blended. Tint mixture pink or red as desired. Gradually mix in half of the confectioners' sugar., On a work surface, knead in remaining confectioners' sugar until smooth. Divide mixture into three portions; roll each to 1/4-in. thickness. (Flour or additional confectioners' sugar is not necessary for rolling.), Cut candy with a 1-in. heart-shaped cookie cutter. Store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

PASTEL DE CHOCLO

Steps:

• Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, a pinch of salt, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, and some pepper. Cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add beef; add remaining salt, paprika, and more pepper. Cook and stir until mostly browned, about 5 minutes. Add chicken, raisins, and olives.
• Remove eggs from hot water, cool under cold running water, and peel. Roughly chop and add to the beef mixture. Keep pino mixture warm.
• Puree corn with basil in a blender or food processor. Pour into a saucepan over medium heat. Add butter; cook and stir until thickened, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in milk, sugar, and salt. Continue cooking until thickened to a paste, about 15 minutes more.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Spread pino into a baking dish. Cover with the corn paste. Sprinkle a little sugar on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown on top, about 20 minutes.

ZUCCHINI-TORTILLA CASSEROLE (PASTEL AZTECA)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large heavy saute pan, add enough oil to come 2 inches up the sides of the pan. Heat the oil on medium-high heat. When hot, work in batches and quickly fry the tortillas for about 10 seconds on each side (they should still be pliable). Remove the tortillas from the heat and drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.
• In a medium saute pan over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and add the garlic and onion. Saute until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the tomato puree. Cook for 10 minutes and turn the heat off.
• In a separate large saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the zucchini and corn. Cook for 2 minutes, and then add the chopped poblano chiles. Add 1/2 cup water to the mixture and cook for 4 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with a nonstick cooking spray. Cover the bottom with about 4 tortillas. Add 1/2 cup of the tomato mixture on top of the tortillas. Top with 1 1/2 cups of the zucchini mixture. Add 1 cup of the cheese. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of Mexican crema. Sprinkle the first layer with some salt and pepper. Start on the second layer with the tortillas, then the tomato, zucchini, cheese and Mexican crema. Again sprinkle with some salt and pepper. Repeat for a third time, to finish off a third layer. Place the casserole into the oven until the cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve hot.

PASTEL DE PAPA (POTATOE AND GROUND BEEF PIE)

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes until soft enough to mash. Drain then let cool down.
• Chop the onions into long thin slices and cook the onion together with the ground beef in a heated pan with (olive or canola) oil.
• Once the beef is fully cooked but not too dry (let there be some juice) you can add the grated carrots, olives, and chopped boiled eggs. Then add spices and mix together well.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• After the potatoes are cool enough, with a potatoe masher, mash them completely to take out as many chunks as possible. Add the butter, milk and salt if desired to taste.
• In an oven safe dish, place a first half inch layer of mashed potatoes on the bottom of the dish. Then apply all of the beef mixture on top of the first mashed potatoe layer. Then apply the second and final layer of mashed potatoes on top of the beef. Top with small pieces of butter, parsley and grated cheese (if desired). Let the potatoe brown and heat in the oven for twenty minutes. Let cool and serve warm!

PASTEL DE TRES LECHES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter a 9-by-13-inch glass baking pan. In an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine egg whites, baking soda, and salt, and beat on medium speed until soft peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add yolks to the whites, and beat until completely combined. With the mixer running slowly, add sugar until combined. Remove the bowl from the mixer. Using a rubber spatula, fold in butter.
• Sift 1/4 cup flour on top of the mixture, and fold in to combine. Repeat with the remaining flour, folding in 1/4 cup at a time. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and bake until golden and a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven, and transfer to a wire rack.
• About 5 minutes before the cake is done, whisk together the three milks, and set aside. As soon as the cake is removed from the oven, pour the milk mixture over the entire cake. The cake should absorb all the liquid within 3 to 5 minutes. Set cake aside, and let stand until cool. Cover cake well, and transfer to the refrigerator to chill, at least 5 hours or overnight.
• Before serving, heat oven to 450 degrees. Place whole coconut in the oven, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and using an awl or a screwdriver, pierce the three "eyes" of the coconut. Turn over, and drain the liquid. Using a hammer, break open coconut. To remove the meat from the shell, insert a small spatula or a grapefruit knife between the flesh and the shell to pry the meat out in large pieces. Using a vegetable peeler, shave off thin curls of coconut. Transfer curls to a baking sheet, and let stand uncovered for 30 minutes. Place in oven, and bake until edges are golden, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and set aside until cool. These curls can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days or frozen for future use.
• When ready to serve the cake, whip cream to soft peaks. Slice cake into twelve servings, top with whipped cream, and serve with the fruits and toasted coconut curls.

MEXICAN CORN PIE (PASTEL DE ELOTE)

Steps:

• Grease a 10 inch pie plate generously with shortening.
• In a large bowl, beat eggs.
• Add remaining ingredients and stir until thoroughly mixed.
• Pour into pie plate and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about one hour.
• The pie may be baked and kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat refrigerated pie at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
• The pie may also be frozen after baking and kept frozen for up to 3 months.
• Thaw and reheat at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

PASTEL DE TRES LECHES

Steps:

• Spray the bottom and sides of a 9 inch diameter pan with 3 inch sides with vegetable cooking spray and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
• Combine eggs and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on high speed until doubled in volume, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to low; add the water and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla. Mix well.
• On very low speed or by hand using a long spatula, gently fold dry ingredients into the batter.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cake is firm on top and has pulled away from the sides of the pan.
• Remove from oven and place pan on a rack to cool for 10-15 minutes.
• Turn the cake out on a serving platter, place a cake polate over the cake and turn it right side up. Set aside to continue cooling.
• While cake is cooling, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, the evaporated milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1 cup cream and set aside. Using a serrated knife, gently slice off the top skin of the cake and discard. Prick the cake all over with a long toothpick (To allow the cake to soak up the liquid.).
• Pour milk mixture over the cake in several batches, allowing it to soak in as much as possible each time. Refrigerate.
• When ready to serve, pour the remaining 2 cups cream into a chilled bowl and beat with chilled beaters until stiff peaks form. Pipe or spread the whipped cream on the top and sides of the cake.
• Garnish with fresh fruit slices.

PASTEL DE TRES LECHES

Steps:

• For Sponge Cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour cake pan, and line with parchment paper. Sift flour with baking powder and cinnamon. Using a standing mixer with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites until frothy, then slowly add sugar to tighten whites to semi stiff peaks. Add yolks one at a time. Alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk.
• Pour batter into pan and bake for about 40 minutes or until the middle springs back when touched and edges pull slightly away from pan. Cool thoroughly on a wire rack.
• For Rum Milk Syrup:
• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Whip thoroughly with a wire whisk and reserve. (If made in advance, refrigerate and stir before using.)
• For Meringue:
• In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water, and bring to boil. When water begins to boil, begin whipping egg whites using a standing mixer with the whisk attachment.
• When sugar reaches the soft ball stage on a candy thermometer, keep the egg whites mixing on slow speed, and steadily pour sugar into the side of the bowl (keeping it away from the whisk). Increase the speed to high, and whip until cool (5 minutes or less). Meringue should be smooth and shiny. Reserve.
• For Cranberry Compote:
• In a saucepan, combine all ingredients except cornstarch. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the fruits are tender.
• While stirring rapidly, add the cornstarch slurry, and allow the mixture to boil rapidly for one minute. Remove from heat, and remove the spices. Cool thoroughly and reserve.
• To Assemble:
• Unmold cake while slightly warm, and slice off the hard top with a serrated knife. Place cake on serving platter and spoon rum syrup over cake a little at a time, until it is all absorbed, repeat until all the syrup is used. Ice the top of the cake with the meringue. Refrigerate until cool. Top with the compote or slice and serve it alongside the cake.

PASTEL GALLETAS (COOKIE CAKE)

Steps:

• Blend sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, cream cheese, and lime juice in a blender until sauce is creamy. Pour sauce into a bowl.
• Dip enough Maria cookies to cover the bottom of a 9x13-inch glass baking dish in the creamy lime sauce. Spread a layer of fruit cocktail over the cookies. Dip and layer a second layer of Maria cookies over the fruit cocktail. Continue dipping and layering cookies and fruit cocktail until the last layer of cookies is about 1 inch from the top of pan. Spread peaches over the dessert.
• Cover dessert with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight before serving.

FRUITY PASTEL COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar and gelatin powder until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well., Using a cookie press fitted with the disk of your choice, press dough 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. , Decorate as desired with colored sugar and/or sprinkles. Bake at 400° for 6-8 minutes or until set (do not brown). Remove to a wire rack to cool.

PASTEL DE PAPAS

Steps:

• Cook potatoes and mash with milk, butter and salt. Set aside.
• Brown the ground beef and chopped onions with cumin, oregano and salt and pepper to taste. Some like more cumin than others.
• Drain raisins.
• Drain the ground beef mixture and place in baking pan that has been coated with cooking spray. Layer the sliced hard boiled eggs, olives and raisins over the meat mixture.
• Spread the mashed potatoes over the beef mixture. Sprinkle top of mashed potatoes with sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

THREE-MILK CAKE (PASTEL DE TRES LECHES)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease and flour a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan.
• Sift flour with baking powder.
• In large bowl with clean beaters, beat egg whites until frothy.
• Add sugar gradually, beating to form stiff peaks.
• Add yolks, 1 at a time.
• Slowly add flour and milk.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until edges are golden brown, about 40 to 45 minutes, Remove from oven and let cool on a rack.
• Prepare Topping.
• Pour Topping over cake and let sit until all the mixture is absorbed, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Prepare Meringue and refrigerate.
• Before serving, cut cake into squares and spread Meringue over each.
• Garnish as desired with fresh berries and mint leaves.
• Topping-------------------------H' .
• Combine milks and sour cream (do not beat).
• Use as directed.
• Heat water in a saucepan. Add sugar and turn off heat.
• Let sit until sugar is dissolved.
• In clean electric mixer bowl with clean beaters, beat egg whites.
• Slowly pour sugar syrup over egg whites, beating constantly until meringue holds stiff peaks.
• Store in refrigerator.
• This can be served immediately but is best made 24 hours ahead and chilled.
• The meringue will keep, covered, 2 days in the refrigerator.

PASTEL DE PAPAS (BEEF SHEPHERD'S PIE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Place potatoes in a large pot; cover with water and add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and mash potatoes with a fork or potato masher. Mix in milk, butter, 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and nutmeg.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Cook ground beef until browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Mix in smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Simmer until fully cooked and juicy, about 20 minutes. Let it cool lightly, about 5 minutes. Stir in chopped hard-boiled eggs and olives.
• Spread half of the mashed potatoes in the prepared baking dish. Layer beef and egg mixture on top, and cover with the remaining mashed potatoes. Insert mozzarella cubes into the mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden and beef filling starts to bubble, about 45 minutes.

PASTEL DE TRES LECHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch cake pan. Put a circle of parchment paper on the bottom of the pan, grease lightly, and flour the bottom and sides, tapping out the excess flour.
• TO MAKE THE CAKE, place the flour, 6 tablespoons of the sugar, the baking powder, and the salt in a large bowl and whisk to combine. In a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks with the vegetable oil, water, and vanilla until thoroughly combined.
• In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until they start to thicken but have not reached soft peaks. Gradually add the remaining 6 tablespoons sugar and continue to beat until stiff, but not dry, peaks form.
• Add one-fourth of the flour mixture to the egg-yolk mixture and blend well. Add one-fourth of the beaten egg whites and fold gently. Repeat, alternating the flour mixture and the beaten egg whites, finishing with the egg whites, until thoroughly combined.
• Pour into the prepared pan and bake until the top springs back when touched and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes.
• Allow to cool slightly, then turn out onto a wire rack. Remove the parchment paper and let cool completely. Gently slice the top to even it out and slice in half widthwise with a serrated knife.
• TO MAKE THE TRES LECHES, combine the heavy cream, evaporated milk, vanilla, and salt in a medium pot and scald over medium heat. Remove from the heat and whisk in the condensed milk and rum, blending well. Put the cakes in a deep dish and pour the warm mixture over them. Be sure to pour any liquid that dripped down the sides on top of the cake as well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour, or freeze for 30 to 40 minutes, so they are easier to handle.
• TO MAKE THE FILLING, beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer or by hand until slightly thickened. Add the confectioner's sugar and vanilla and continue beating until thickened and smooth. Refrigerate until the cakes have cooled.
• To assemble the cake, put one of the cakes on a piece of cardboard or a serving platter and spread one-third of the whipped cream evenly on top. Cover with most of the chopped fruit, reserving some for decorating. Top with the second cake and cover the top and sides with the remaining whipped cream. Decorate with the reserved fruit as desired. Dip a knife into hot water before cutting each slice.
• Italian Meringue
• Combine the sugar and water in a small pan and cover and cook over low-medium heat. Once you can hear it boiling, remove the lid (the steam will help avoid crystallization). Continue cooking, without stirring until you reach the soft-ball stage (see page 13).
• Meanwhile, in a large heatproof bowl, whip together the egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt to medium peaks. Add the syrup in a stream and continue to whip until the bowl feels cool to the touch.
• Meringue for Filling
• Prepare the meringue as directed, but add the red food coloring to the hot syrup once the sugar has dissolved (the meringue should be bright pink) and stir in the mezcal once all the syrup has been added. Finish by toasting the meringue waves with a kitchen torch. Dip a knife into hot water before making each slice so the meringue doesn't stick to it.

PASTEL DE TRES LECHES THREE-MILK CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Oil a jellyroll baking pan (15x10) and line it with waxed paper oiled on both sides.
• Separate the yolks and whites in 2 bowls.
• Sift the flour and baking powder together.
• Beat the yolks until light and lemon colored, about 20 minutes.
• The consistency should be very thick, and when you lift the beaters, the mixture should fall in one solid mass, known as the"ribbon stage.
• "Add 1/2 cup of the sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time.
• Add the vanilla and beat 3 minutes more.
• Whip the egg whites until soft peaks form.
• Add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar slowly until it makes a meringue.
• Add the whites to the yolks 1/3 at a time and fold in with a rubber spatula.
• Add the flour all at once and fold in.
• Spread the batter in the pan and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until the cake comes away from the sides of the pan.
• Let it rest for 5 minutes, then remove it from the pan and place on a clean tea towel that has been dusted with confectioner's sugar.
• Remove the waxed paper by rubbing the top of the paper with a dry cloth all over the surface and peeling off.
• Cover the cake with another tea towel and roll up the cake lengthwise in the towels, like a jellyroll, while still warm.
• For the filling: Whip the cream and vanilla until soft peaks form.
• Add the confectioner's sugar.
• Add the strawberries to the whipped cream and fold in.
• For the soaking liquid: Mix the milks with a whisk.
• Add the liquor.
• For the frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until soft and fluffy, about 10 minutes.
• Add the vanilla and mix for 2 minutes.
• Slowly add the confectioner's sugar until it is well incorporated.
• Add the milk.
• To assemble the cake: Unroll the cake and remove the tea towel from the top layer.
• Spread the whipped cream mixture on the cake.
• Using the bottom as leverage, roll it up lengthwise.
• Transfer the cake to a serving tray seam side down.
• Make holes in the cake with a skewer and drizzle the soaking liquid, slowly, letting it absorb bit by bit.
• Cover the cake with the frosting.

PASTEL ALMOND BARK

Steps:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Stir in the marshmallows, cereal, pecans and coconut. , Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE STREUSEL CAKE (PASTEL DE CHOCOLATE MEXICANO)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Butter and flour a 13x9-inch pan. Set aside.
• Pulse half of the chocolate in a food processor until it is like coarse crumbs. Set aside.
• Streusel topping: Add the other half of the chocolate to the processor and pulse until coarse crumbs. Mix the egg yolk with the salt and stir to dissolve the salt. Add to the processor along with the 7 Tbsp butter and 1 cup flour. Pulse until thoroughly combined and crumbly, but not a paste. Set aside.
• Cake: Sift together the 1 3/4 cups flour and baking powder. With an electric mixer, on medium speed, combine cream cheese, 1 cup butter and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, thoroughly mixing between each one. Add the flour mixture and beat for 1 minute, until just mixed. Gently stir in the reserved chopped chocolate, making sure not to overmix.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and crumble the streusel evenly over top, breaking up any large lumps.
• Bake 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.