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Cortadillo (Mexican Pink Cake)

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  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Cortadillo is a classic Mexican sheet cake, known for its fluffy texture, pink frosting, and festive sprinkles. Often sold in panaderías (Mexican bakeries), this cake is lightly spiced with cinnamon and has a buttery, vanilla flavor.


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Cake:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup sour cream

For the Pink Frosting:

  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 23 drops pink food coloring

For Decoration:

 

  • Rainbow sprinkles

Instructions

  • Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
  • Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
  • Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add Eggs & Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  • Incorporate Dry & Wet Ingredients: Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk, mixing on low speed. Stir in sour cream until fully combined.
  • Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
  • Make Frosting: In a bowl, beat powdered sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Add pink food coloring and mix until evenly colored.
  • Frost & Decorate: Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles.

 

  • Slice & Serve: Cut into squares or rectangles and enjoy!

Notes

  • For a more traditional flavor, replace some of the milk with evaporated milk.
  • You can adjust the shade of pink by adding more or less food coloring.

 

  • If you prefer a thinner frosting, add a little more milk until you reach the desired consistency.