Guatemalan Rice Flour Cheese Cake

Quesadilla de Zacapa is a Guatemalan sweet bread made with rice flour and cheese, originally from the department of Zacapa, with a distinctive dense, moist texture.

It’s different from Mexican or Salvadoran quesadilla, recognized as its own specialty and highly valued within Guatemalan baking.

Guatemalan Rice Flour Cheese Cake

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• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 servings
• Category: Baked goods
• Cuisine: Guatemalan

Print Recipe

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Ingredients

• 2 cups of rice flour
• 1 cup of fresh or parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup of sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup of melted butter
• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• Sesame seeds, for dusting, to taste (optional)

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Preparation

1. Beat the eggs, beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture is foamy.
2. Add the liquids, add the melted butter and sour cream, mixing well.
3. Mix the dry ingredients, combine the rice flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Combine, fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with the grated cheese, until you get a smooth batter.
5. Pour, pour the batter into a greased and floured pan.
6. Dust, dust with sesame seeds on top, if desired.
7. Bake, bake in a preheated 180°C (350°F) oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. Cool, let cool before cutting into portions.

Tips for getting it right

• Rice flour is key to achieving this bread’s characteristic texture, distinct from a quesadilla made with wheat flour.
• The grated cheese can be adjusted in amount depending on the preferred saltiness of the final result.
• Checking doneness with a toothpick is important, since this bread’s moist texture can be mistaken for underdone.
• It keeps well in an airtight container for several days.

Traditional variations

• It’s a specialty originally from the department of Zacapa, different from Mexican or Salvadoran quesadilla.
• Some versions adjust the ratio of cheese to sugar based on regional preference.

How to serve

Quesadilla de Zacapa is served in slices, at room temperature, on its own or with coffee.

It’s a Guatemalan baking specialty, valued for its dense, moist texture.

Recommended sides

• Coffee

Did you know?

Despite its name, quesadilla de Zacapa has no relation to Mexican or Salvadoran quesadilla; it’s a sweet bread unique to Guatemala.

It originates from the department of Zacapa, in eastern Guatemala, from which it takes its name.