cassava cake *tried & tested*

Made cassava cake this afternoon for our snack and finally snapped a close-up photo of it before i rewarded myself with a slice.  There are many versions of this classic Filipino dessert - there's the cassava leche flan, cassava bibingka, cassava with grated cheese and cassava with langka (jackfruit).

My recipe is very basic and so simple even my 4 yr old can whip it up in a few minutes (he actually started helping me when he was 2). I recommend it if you are making this cake for the first time.  The batter consists of frozen grated cassava, condensed milk, evaporated milk, coconut milk, eggs, macapuno strings, vanilla and butter.  For the topping I simply spread condensed milk evenly and let it bake until golden brown or slightly burnt which i like. 

Personally, i prefer this version because it's guaranteed to please anybody.  Not everybody likes jackfruit or cheese, right? And some people may not want a leche flan topping because that would be like a double whammy of sweetness.  It's also the version i grew up with and having traveled extensively in the Philippines, this is the most popular (and affordable) version.  Give it a try.

Click here for my recipe.

cassava cake

I've been craving for a slice of cassava cake for a long time and have reached the tipping point. so i gathered all my ingredients which i have - i always stock up on frozen cassava and macapuno strings just in case - and got busy with it while my son was taking his afternoon nap. Here's my simple recipe, anybody can do this!

CASSAVA CAKE

Ingredients:

2 bags frozen cassava, thawed

1 can (12 fl. oz) evaporated milk

1 can (14 oz.) condensed milk

1 can (13.5 fl. oz) coconut milk

1 bottle of macapuno strings

4 large eggs, beaten

1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Mix cassava, evaporated milk, coconut milk and 2/3 can of the condensed milk (set aside remaining 1/3 for the topping)

3. Add eggs, macapuno strings and vanilla. Add butter last. Mix well.

5. Pour in a greased 9x13 baking dish and bake for 50 minutes

6. Remove from oven and spread evenly the remaining condensed milk on top and bake for another 15 minutes or until brown. 

8. Cool completely and cut into squares.

That's it. So E-Z! Sometimes i want it with a "burnt" topping effect so i bake it longer, 20 minutes instead of 15. Also if you're bringing it to a potluck party, you can line the baking dish with a banana leaf (you can get frozen banana leaves from any Asian store) for an authentic filipiniana appeal.

Enjoy!