National Dish Grenada: Cassava Cake (Recipe)
In this article
Discover Cassava Cake, the sweet pride of Grenada and a wonderfully simple way to bring a little Caribbean sunshine into your kitchen. Grated cassava is folded together with creamy coconut milk and warm island spices, then baked until the top turns deep golden and the centre stays gloriously moist. It is the kind of bake that suits a lazy afternoon with a cup of tea just as well as a family celebration.
About Cassava Cake
Cassava Cake is a much-loved national dish of Grenada and a perfect showcase for the varied, aromatic Caribbean cuisine. It is built around cassava, a starchy root vegetable prized across the tropics for its gentle sweetness and dense texture. The cake pairs that natural sweetness with exotic spices, producing a flavour you will not mistake for anything else. Served as a dessert or as a satisfying snack, it is a genuine treat for the senses and turns any gathering into something a little more festive.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 250 g fresh cassava, peeled and grated
- 100 g sugar
- 100 ml coconut milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Shopping for the ingredients
When shopping for the ingredients for your cassava cake, quality really does make the difference. Fresh cassava should feel firm and be free of dark patches or soft spots. Coconut milk is usually stocked in the world-food aisle of larger supermarkets or in Asian and Caribbean grocers — the same tin that gives Coconut Bake its richness. The remaining ingredients, such as sugar and eggs, are available in any ordinary food shop, so the shopping trip stays quick and straightforward.
Preparing the dish
Preparation for cassava cake could hardly be simpler and is done in a handful of steps. Begin by peeling the cassava and grating it thoroughly for the best possible result. Take care to remove any woody fibres and lumps so the finished cake has an even, tender texture. Once everything is prepped and lined up, you can move straight on to combining the individual components.
Step-by-step instructions
- Tip the grated cassava into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the sugar, coconut milk, eggs, baking powder, vanilla extract and salt.
- Mix everything together well until you have a smooth, homogeneous batter.
- Grease a baking tin and spread the batter evenly inside.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for roughly 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
- Let the cake cool before serving.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
Cassava cake is naturally a gluten-free and lactose-free speciality, so you can enjoy it without a second thought. Because it relies on cassava and coconut milk rather than wheat flour or dairy, the recipe suits anyone with a gluten or lactose intolerance. The eggs are the only animal ingredient, and they can be swapped for plant-based alternatives to meet vegan requirements too. That makes a delicious and wholesome version of this traditional bake easy to achieve.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
The recipe lends itself beautifully to a vegan treatment, since it adapts with very little effort. Instead of eggs you can use flaxseed or chia seeds: mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water and leave it to swell for a few minutes to make an egg replacement. This keeps the crumb pleasantly moist and is a lovely way to make cassava cake accessible to everyone without giving up any of the flavour.
More tips and tricks
To refine the taste of your cassava cake further, try adding different spices such as cinnamon or the nutmeg for which Grenada is famous — the same spice that carries Nutmeg Ice Cream. They lend the bake an extra layer of tropical warmth. Another good trick is to scatter a light dusting of desiccated coconut over the cake before serving. It not only looks appealing but also rounds out the flavour combination of this lovely dessert.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
A cassava cake is easy to tailor to personal preference. Like things sweeter? Simply add a little more sugar. You can also experiment with different coconut products to shape the texture and taste exactly as you want it. If you are fond of nuts, chopped walnuts or almonds make a delicious addition and give the cake an interesting bite.
Ingredient substitutions
If you have no coconut milk to hand, almond drink or any other plant milk works as an alternative. Should fresh cassava prove hard to find, cassava flour is another option worth trying, though it does call for an adjustment to the amount of liquid. Cooks who enjoy this root in other forms often turn it into Cassava Pone as well. Creativity is the key here, and many ingredients can be exchanged easily to get the best result for your own palate.
Drink pairing ideas
A wide range of drinks complements the flavour of cassava cake. A fresh fruit smoothie made with tropical fruit such as mango or pineapple sits perfectly alongside the cake’s sweet notes. A simple ginger tea is another fine partner thanks to its gentle heat, and a chilled glass of Sorrel Drink brings a tart contrast. Experiment with different drinks to find the pairing that makes your dessert even more enjoyable.
Serving and presentation ideas
Presentation can raise the pleasure of a cassava cake considerably. Serve it on an attractive serving platter and garnish with fresh fruit or herbs such as mint. A topping of icing sugar or cocoa powder also creates an elegant look. Thoughtful presentation will not only impress your guests but enrich the whole eating experience.
A bit of history
Cassava cake has its origins in Caribbean culture and is enjoyed in many countries across the region. Using cassava as the main ingredient is typical of tropical areas, where this valuable food crop grows in abundance. Historically, cassava was treasured as an essential staple by the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. Today the cake stands as a symbol of the rich culinary tradition of Grenada and of Grenadian cuisine more broadly, and it is often served at festivals and celebrations.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Cassava Cake
Cassava cake is a delicious and straightforward national dish from Grenada that captures the flavours of the Caribbean perfectly. With only a handful of ingredients and an uncomplicated method, this sweet masterpiece comes together in no time. Whether you serve it as a snack or as a dessert, it offers a unique taste experience that will delight family and guests alike. Do not let the opportunity pass — bring a piece of the Caribbean to your own table.
