This recipe will give you restaurant quality food without having to go to the Cheesecake Factory to get it. You will save money by making the dish at home and get rave reviews in the process.
It costs approximately $6.99 to make this recipe. The recipe makes four servings for about $1.74 per serving.
Table of Contents
Table of contents
These Cheesecake Factory Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes are a flavor explosion!
Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes is like a flavor explosion in your mouth. I remember the first time I tried this appetizer at the restaurant years ago.
They were love at first bite! I knew after first tasting them that I NEEDED to recreate them at home. I set to work to recreate them and nailed it. Make the recipe and you will be amazed how much i tastes just like The Cheesecake Factory.
Sweet Corn Cake ingredients and cost
Per Serving Cost: $1.74
Recipe Cost: $6.99
- 2 tomatillos – $0.38
- 4 ounce can chopped green chiles – $1.99
- 1 green onion – $0.08
- 3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro – $0.15
- 5 teaspoons granulated sugar – $0.07
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin – $0.01
- ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon salt – $0.01
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper – $0.01
- 1 large Roma tomato – $0.36
- 1 Tablespoon red onion – $0.06
- ½ teaspoon lime juice – $0.01
- ½ cup mayonnaise – $1.04
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar – $0.01
- 1 teaspoon water – $0.00
- ½ teaspoon chili powder – $0.02
- ¼ teaspoon paprika – $0.01
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper – $0.01
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder – $0.01
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder – $0.01
- 1 ½ cups frozen sweet corn –$1.27
- ½ cup butter – $1.12
- ½ cup corn masa harina flour – $0.16
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour – $0.02
- 1 ½ Tablespoons olive oil – $0.18
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in November 2023.
Cook’s Tools for Tamale Cakes
- Food processor
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large skillet
- Microwave-safe platter
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Wooden mixing spoon
How to make Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes (Cheesecake Factory Copycat Recipe)
- First, make the salsa verde using a food processor. Chill for at least one hour.
- Next, make the pico de gallo. Let this chill for at least one hour.
- Make the Southwestern sauce and let this chill for at least one hour as well.
- Now, make the corn cakes. Then cook them for about 5-8 minutes per side.
- Finally, assemble the corn cakes by placing a corn cake on top of the warmed Salsa Verde. Spread the Pico de Gallo and Southwestern sauce over the tops. Top with sour cream, avocado, and cilantro before serving.
For more detailed instructions, check out the recipe video in the recipe card below!
Sweet Corn Cake Recipe tips
- I suggest making the salsa verde, pico de gallo, and southwestern sauce either the night before or the morning before. This will speed things along when you’re ready to make these babies!
- You can use store-bought salsa verde and pico de gallo in this recipe.
- Once you form the tamale dough, if the cakes aren’t sticking together, add a couple of tablespoons of water to the mix.
How to serve this Sweet Corn Cake Recipe
You can serve these as an appetizer or as a main dish like I do. I usually round out the meal by serving them with my Restaurant-Style Black Bean Soup.
Storing Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes
SERVE: You can keep these out for about an hour before you need to be refrigerated.
STORE: It’s best to store the tamale cakes, salsa, and sauce separate in covered containers in the refrigerator. You can store the salsa and sauce for a week and the tamale cakes for 2-3 days.
FREEZE: The salsa, sauce, and toppings cannot be frozen; only the tamale cakes freeze well. To freeze the tamale cakes, wrap them in a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil. Then place them in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. These will keep for about 3-4 months in the freezer.
REHEAT: Reheat the tamales cakes in a 300 degree F oven for 10-15 minutes or in a skillet over medium heat until heated through.
More Mexican Inspired Recipes
- Chicken Burrito Bowl
- Restaurant Style Refried Beans
- New Mexico Style Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
- Mexican Spinach Dip
- Picadillo Tacos
- Green Chile Pinto Beans
- Guacamole
- Horchata
- Enchilada sauce
- Carne Asada Street Tacos
- Queso Blanco Dip
- Breakfast Taco Bar
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Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes – Cheesecake Factory Copycat
Video
Equipment
- food processor
- mixing bowls
- measuring cups and spoons
- large skillet
- Microwave-safe platter
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- wooden mixing spoon
Ingredients
SALSA VERDE:
- 2 tomatillos roughly chopped
- 4 ounces canned chopped green chiles drained
- 1 green onion sliced thin
- 2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro roughly chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
PICO DE GALLO:
- 1 large Roma tomato diced
- 1 Tablespoon red onion diced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro minced
- ½ teaspoon lime juice
- Salt and ground pepper to taste
SOUTHWESTERN SAUCE:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon water
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
CORN CAKES:
- 1 ½ cup frozen sweet corn
- ½ cup butter softened to room temperature
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup corn masa harina flour
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ Tablespoon olive oil
GARNISHES:
- Sour cream
- Avocado diced
- Fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
MAKE SALSA VERDE:
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until combined, but still a little chunky. Transfer to a small bowl, cover, and chill for at least 1 hour.
MAKE PICO DE GALLO:
- Place all ingredients in a small bowl and toss. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
MAKE SOUTHWESTERN SAUCE:
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl and mix until well combined. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
MAKE CORN CAKES:
- Add 1 cup of the frozen corn to a food processor until it's coarsely pureed. Add the pureed corn, softened butter, sugar, and salt to a medium bowl. Mix until combined.
- Add masa and flour and mix until no flour streaks remain. Add the remaining ½ cup of frozen corn kernels, and mix until corn is evenly distributed.
- Measure ½ cup portions of the mixture and use your hands to form them into 3-inch wide patties.
- Add the olive oil to a large skillet and preheat over medium-low heat. Add the patties to the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 5-8 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden brown, another 5-8 minutes.
ASSEMBLE:
- Add the Salsa Verde to your platter and spread it evenly. Heat the platter in the microwave for 1 minute. Place the corn cakes on the warmed Salsa Verde, and evenly distribute the Pico De Gallo and Southwestern Sauce over the tops. Dollop with sour cream, and garnish with avocado and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
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This post first appeared on FFF in February of 2015. I have since updated the pictures and added a video.
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I must have missed this, but how many cakes does this make; I’m assuming smaller cakes for appetizers and a little larger for main dish.
Hi Nancy, this recipe will make 4 large cakes.
I love these, I worked at CCF for almost ten years, and I make these at home for my family. Just so you know, the original recipe has heavy cream both in the salsa verde and in the tamale mix. The salsa verde also has chicken stock.
Hi Ashley, thanks for the tip! Heave cream in the salsa verde? I would have never thought; I’ll definitely try that the next time I make these Tamale Cakes!
You’ve done an amazing job replicating the Cheesecake Factory’s recipe. Made these last night and my friends and I all agree that they were BETTER than the originals. Thank you so much for sharing! This recipe has gone into my permanent recipes.
Michelle, I am so glad you and your friends loved the recipe! Thanks for stopping by and letting me know! 🙂
Do you thaw the corn first or put in the food processor frozen?
Put it in the food processor frozen. 🙂
That’s what I did. They were delicious! They taste just like the ones from TCF. Thanks for sharing.
Hi! I LOVE these corn cakes from TCF! I was so excited to make hen but mine were so flat! I was wondering do you thaw the corn or use it frozen? And what exactly is masa harina? I had corn flour in my pantry so that’s what I used but I’m thinking now it isn’t the same thing!
Masa harina is similar to corn meal. Corn flour is corn starch and completely a different product. Look for Masa harina on the same aisle as corn meal, it’s sold in bags. Here’s a commom brand: http://amzn.to/29KGjWb I hope this helps.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for such a flavorful dish! I have never had CF tamale cakes however I am all about tamales or really just anything Mexican. I am not a huge fan of salsa verde but I wanted to assemble it like you did and I am SO glad I made it because it is just one other component of flavors that make this amazing.
I make my own pico but I followed everything else of yours. My batter was very, soft/runny. I contemplated adding more masa or flour but held off to see if it would set while frying. The result was messy cakes, I should have added more masa or flour. The end product did not look like yours and yes this is time consuming, but, absolutely worth it!!! My family members even raved about it saying it tasted like I brought it home from a restaurant. Have you ever tried freezing them?
Hi Tracy, I am so sorry they fell apart on you. For me the batter was super thick (you can see in the picture of the formed cakes, just before cooking).
I am SO glad that you loved the taste of them. I have never tried freezing the cakes, but I bet they would keep in an air-tight container for about 3 months. The sauces and salsa, I don’t think they would keep well in the freezer.
I want to make sure I comment again because I know what happened. I made these again and fried them up as soon as I was done and voilà no problems. I remembered the first time I made them I let the mixture sit in a bowl for about 30 minutes because life got busy . My 2nd batch was just as flavorful as the first and formed perfect cakes!!! I froze 2 and I’m thinking they will be okay.
Tracy, thank you so much for the update! I am thrilled they turned out for you the second time! 🙂
My absolute favorite thing at Cheesecake Factory—and yours looks exactly as delicious!
I worked there and we baked them in a sheet pan to cook out the rawness of the flour and corn meal. then we cooled them and formed them in balls and sauteed them. 🙂
I have never had these, I know that I would love them. I can see how you fell in love with them at first bite. Yum!
This dish looks so amazing, by the way I tried the Skinnier Tuscan Garlic Chicken recipe and it was delicious. Thank You for amazing recipes.
Emi, I’m SO glad you liked the Tuscan Garlic Chicken recipe. Enjoy this one, too! 🙂
Looks fantastic! Love the flavor combination!
These look so amazing and flavorful!
Thanks, Ashley, they’re one of my favorites!
Oh man, I have never had these before at the Cheesecake Factory but they sound right up my alley! I’d like to try your version!! Beautiful pics too 🙂
Aww, thanks Becky! 🙂
I adore the Cheesecake Factory, we don’t have them in Canada so it is a real treat when we go some to the US. This recipe looks amazing and now I can have it at home!!
The Hubby loves tamales. These look like something I should make for him.
This is so good, and once you get the hang of it not that hard to make. I make it just like this and then I add pan-sauteed’ cilantro shrimp on top.
Anna, that sounds like an amazing addition to this recipe. I’m SO going to try it!
I have been dreaming of tamales, now I have never heard of them made into cakes before, genius!
This is seriously one of my favorite dishes to get at the Cheesecake Factory! Your version looks absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to try it!
It’s one of my favorites also, Sarah. Enjoy!
This looks like a very tasty dish.
This looks fantastic! Yum’d!
Thanks, Diana! It’s one of my favorite recipes. 🙂