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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Gorditas de Azucar (Sweet Griddle Cakes)

    Gorditas de Azucar (Sweet Griddle Cakes)

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted October 20, 2022 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Gorditas de Azucar are sweet griddle cakes made with sugar and cinnamon. These golden beauties are light, soft, and impossible to resist. Enjoy with jam and a cup of coffee!
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Gorditas de Azucar on a wooden cutting board.
    Gorditas de Azucar on a wooden cutting board.

    Gorditas de Azucar (or Sugar Gorditas) are sweet griddle cakes that resemble small pancakes.

    We are not making traditional masa harina gorditas. These are not stuffed, not very puffy, and not overly sweet.

    Smother them with butter, jelly, or dulce de leche. So yummy!

    This easy recipe comes from my mom’s side of the family and the beautiful town of Francisco I. Madero, Durango, Mexico. ¡Arriba Durango!

    Ingredients

    The ingredients for sweet gorditas spread out and labeled.
    • Flour – Whole wheat is preferred, but you can also use all purpose flour. 
    • Butter – Swap out for lard or vegetable shortening, but butter will give it the best flavor.
    • Sugar – You can also use 1 large cone of grated piloncillo instead.
    • Eggs – Please see the recipe card for exact ingredients. 
    • Warm milk, or substitute for a combination of water + sour cream.
    • Water – See the recipe card for further instructions.
    • Baking Powder – This dry ingredient will make them puff up. 
    • Salt will accentuate the flavors. 
    • Cinnamon – Here, you see ground cinnamon, but you can also use finely chopped whole cinnamon. 

    My mom would occasionally add anise, depending on what she had in the kitchen.

    A splash of vanilla also makes a good addition to this sweet bread recipe.

    Instructions

    The dough for sweet gorditas being made.
    • Soften butter and mix with the eggs in a large bowl.
    • Add all the ingredients except for the flour. 
    • Add gradually two cups of flour all while mixing gently. 

    Normally, this recipe is done in a big bowl.

    If you are using an electric KitchenAid, use the slow setting as you add the flour. Or the flour will go everywhere.

    Next, slowly pour in the warm milk until the dough comes together. 

    Be sure to let the dough rest for 10 minutes before forming the balls.

    Small dough balls on a wooden surface.
    • Form small dough balls. 
    • About the size of a golf ball. 

    The dough will be sticky, but not too sticky to handle. 

    Line a tortilla press with plastic wrap, add the dough to form a mini pancake. Be careful not to press too thin.

    Or, roll them out with a rolling pin. If using a rolling pin, use a little more flour so it won’t stick to your rolling pin. Rolling out will give you straighter edges than a tortilla press.

    You can even use a plate to form the sweet gorditas.

    Raw sweet gorditas cooking on a skillet.
    • Press out the dough ball individually. 
    • Heat up a griddle on medium heat.
    • Cook on each side.

    Just like when you’re making pancakes, they don’t take long to cook. About 2 minutes on each side.

    Flip when it is golden brown.

    As they cook, you will see them puff up slightly but not much.

    Gorditas de Azucar stacked up on top of each other on a wooden cutting board.

    Storing Instructions

    • Place in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
    • To freeze, place in a sealable plastic bag and remove as much air as possible. They will last up to 3 months.

    Once the warm Gorditas de Azucar are ready, smother with your favorite toppings like cajeta, Nutella, or strawberry jam.

    These sweet treats make a great breakfast with café de olla or a tall glass of milk.

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    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

    Gorditas de Azucar on a wooden cutting board.

    Gorditas de Azucar

    Gorditas de Azucar are sweet griddle cakes made with sugar and cinnamon. These golden beauties are light, soft, and impossible to resist. Enjoy with jam and a cup of coffee!
    5 from 30 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 25 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 185kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup butter (shortening or lard can also be used)
    • 2 eggs
    • 1/4 cup water
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
    • 2 tsp salt
    • 2 tsp baking powder
    • 4 cups flour (wheat or all purpose)
    • 1/2 cup warm milk

    Instructions

    • Soften the butter.
    • In a large bowl, mix the butter, eggs and water.
    • Add the sugar, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.
    • Mix until combined.
    • Slowly add the flour and warm milk.
    • Mix until a soft dough forms.
    • Knead for about 5 minutes.
    • Let rest for 10 minutes.
    • Form small dough balls about the size of a golfball.
    • If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
    • Heat a griddle.
    • Roll out each dough.
    • Dust the rolling pin with flour as needed.
    • Cook the gordita for 2 minutes on each side.
    • Flip when the bottom is golden brown.
    • Repeat until there are no more dough balls.
    • Serve with jam, cajeta, or Nutella.

    Notes

    Instead of warm milk, you can use a combination of sour cream and water. 
    Whole wheat is preferred. 
    My mother would sometimes chop up whole cinnamon into really small pieces and add them to the dough. 
    1 tsp vanilla and 1/2 tsp ground anise make a great addition. 
    Rolling out with a rolling pin will give you straighter edges than if using a tortilla press. 
    To use a tortilla press:
    • Line it with plastic wrap.
    • Add the dough.
    • Be sure not to press down too thin. 
    Just like the first pancake, the first gordita might burn or not cook well. Don’t get discouraged. Adjust the heat and try again. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 263mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 265IU | Vitamin C: 0.005mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts, Mexican, Recipes, Vegetarian

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chenée

      November 25, 2022 at 3:19 pm

      5 stars
      These look so amazing! I’d love to try them with Nutella!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        November 29, 2022 at 3:00 pm

        With Nutella, they are YUM!

        Reply
    2. Kerri

      November 25, 2022 at 3:40 pm

      5 stars
      These look so good! This is definitely a new one for me, but seems simple enough that I could make it easily! I love pushing myself out of my comfort zone with new recipes and this seems like a good place to start that process!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 29, 2023 at 8:03 pm

        These Gorditas de Azucar are super tasty. You won’t regret it.

        Reply
    3. Robin G

      November 25, 2022 at 3:56 pm

      5 stars
      This was my first time making them and your easy to follow directions were so helpful.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 29, 2023 at 7:56 pm

        So glad you liked this recipe!

        Reply
    4. kushigalu

      November 25, 2022 at 9:30 pm

      5 stars
      Never tried griddle cakes before. Looks delicious. I will make this weekend.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        November 29, 2022 at 3:00 pm

        Hope you enjoy the gorditas de azucar. They are a favorite!

        Reply
    5. Dannii

      November 26, 2022 at 12:57 am

      5 stars
      Anything with lots of cinnamon sounds good to me. This sounds amazing.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        November 29, 2022 at 3:00 pm

        Yes, I love all the cinnamon taste in the gorditas de azucar.

        Reply

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