Sweet cheese bread or quesadilla is a fluffy, delicious, soft, moist, and subtly sweet dish with a golden, buttery crust and a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds on top.
Despite sharing a name with the Mexican “quesadilla,” this beloved Salvadoran sweet cheese bread is a baked good, more similar to a pound cake or coffee cake with cheese folded into the batter.
It’s a popular snack or breakfast item you can find in homes, bakeries, and markets throughout El Salvador. You can enjoy this creamy bread with a warm drink like coffee or hot chocolate.
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The Authentic Salvadorian Sweet Cheese Bread
Description
Sweet cheese bread or quesadilla is a fluffy, delicious, soft, moist, and subtly sweet dish with a golden, buttery crust and a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds on top.
Background and Origin
The origins of Quesadilla Salvadoreña or sweet cheese bread, trace back to El Salvador’s colonial era, when Spanish culinary traditions were blended with local ingredients. The use of cheese, cream, and all-purpose flour reflects European influence, while the resourceful use of native dairy and simple cooking methods makes it distinctly Central American.
Over time, this cheese bread evolved into a symbol of Salvadoran hospitality and homestyle cooking. It’s especially popular on Sundays and holidays, often made in batches and shared with neighbors and family.
Ingredients
Instructions
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How to Make Sweet Cheese Bread from El Salvador
- Brush the nonstick baking cream in your baking pan and set aside.Â
- Break the eggs in a big mixing bowl. Add one teaspoon of vanilla extract and whisk. Scoop in the ricotta cheese and whisk thoroughly to avoid lumps. Add the Salvadorian cream and continue to mix evenly.Â
- Add the milk and melted butter, and continue to whisk.
- Once the liquid ingredients are well incorporated, add the sugar and whisk evenly. Then sieve and add the rice flour and mix.Â
- Sieve in the all-purpose flour, the baking powder, and the pinch of salt.Â
- Transfer the mixture into the greased baking pan and top it beautifully with sesame seeds. If you’re using cupcake baking dishes, simply grease them and scoop in the desired amount of the flour mixture.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the sweet cheese bread for 35 minutes. Once the bread is ready, allow it to cool at room temperature, then flip it onto baking paper on a serving tray.
- Slice and serve with a hot, creamy coffee.
Video credit: CookingWithGloria–YouTube
Note
Tips for Making Quesadilla: Sweet Cheese Bread
- Use room temperature eggs.Â
- Ensure the milk, cream, and cheese are all at room temperature.Â
- The sour Salvadorian cream gives the sweet cheese bread a delicious flavor. Don’t miss it.Â
- Use as many sesame seeds as desired for a crunchy flavor.
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For many Salvadorans—especially those living abroad, quesadilla isn’t just food. It’s memory. It’s heritage. It’s comfort wrapped in the scent of warm cheese and toasted sesame.
Happy baking!
