Jamaican jerk is world famous but the country also has a wide range of traditional desserts that feature prominently in the local diet. Here are the top 7 Jamaican sweet treats that you must try.
Jamaican Gizzada
This is a sweet dessert consisting mainly of coconut and flour. Grated coconut flakes are boiled with brown sugar into a thick stew seasoned with spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. The mixture is then poured onto a 2-3 inch pie base and some cooks use a fork to make decorative patterns on the pie base before baking for 15 minutes. Try our Jamaican Gizzada Recipe.
Grater Cake
The grater cake usually has very high sugar content and should only be consumed in limited amounts. Dried coconut is peeled and stripped of the brown skin, then finely grated and boiled with granulated sugar. The mixture is then separated into two portions with red food colouring added to one portion. Pour the white portion into a greased tray, then spoon small red toppings according to desired size of each cake. Allow it to cool before cutting. Try our Jamaican Grater Cake Recipe.
Plantain Tarts
Jamaican plantain tarts are sweet pastries with a delicious filling made from ripe plantains. They are boiled soft then mashed into a pulp with sugar, vanilla, mixed spices and optional red food colouring. The mixture is spooned onto the circle-shaped dough, which is then folded into a half-moon. It is ready to eat after baking for 20-25 minutes. Try our Jamaican Plantain Tart Recipe.
Coconut Drops
Coconut ‘Drops’ is a very popular dessert in Jamaica. The coconut is cut into small pieces and boiled in brown sugar with added spices. Traditionally, a banana leaf is used but a greased tray can substitute to ‘drop’ the hot mixture into 2 inch cakes. It hardens as it cools and is ready for eating immediately. Try our Jamaican Coconut Drops Recipe.
Blue Drawers
Also known as Dukoonoo and Tie-a-leaf, this dessert is a delicious blend of green bananas, sweet potatoes, grated coconut, brown sugar and a range of spices. Traditionally, the mixture is spooned into green leaves from the banana plant and expertly tied together before boiling for 45 minutes to an hour. Try our Jamaican Blue Draws Recipe
Tamarind Balls
A popular treat for children at summer time, tamarind balls are made by mixing the tamarind fruit with generous amounts of sugar and rolling into 1/2 inch balls. A little rum might be added to preserve the treat. Try our Jamaican Tamarind Ball Recipe.
Sweet Potato Pudding
This traditional dessert is widely served in restaurants and hotels all over the island. As the name suggests, the main ingredient is the sweet potato which is mixed with sugar, spices, coconut milk, and a small amount of flour to add texture. It is ready for eating after baking for one hour. Try our Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding Recipe.
