Brazilian Cassava Cake with Cheese – Traditional Grated Yuca Cake
If you love traditional homemade desserts with a soft, moist texture and a deliciously rich flavor, this Brazilian Cassava Cake with Cheese is a recipe worth trying. Made with freshly grated cassava, eggs, milk, butter, sugar, and grated cheese, this comforting cake brings together simple ingredients to create a wonderfully satisfying treat.
Unlike conventional cakes, this traditional Brazilian-style cassava cake is naturally flourless. Fresh cassava provides the structure and distinctive texture, while butter and milk add richness. The grated cheese gives the cake a subtle savory note that beautifully balances its sweetness.
One of the special things about this homemade cassava cake is the preparation of the cassava itself. Fresh cassava is peeled, soaked, finely grated, and squeezed through a clean cotton cloth to remove excess liquid. This traditional preparation helps create the right consistency for a deliciously tender cake.
Once baked, the cake develops a beautiful golden surface while remaining soft and moist inside. A light dusting of powdered sugar and cinnamon adds a lovely finishing touch, making every slice even more inviting.
Whether you're exploring Brazilian desserts, looking for a creative way to cook with cassava, or simply craving a comforting homemade cake, this easy Brazilian cassava cake with cheese is a wonderful addition to your baking collection.
Why You'll Love This Brazilian Cassava Cake
Naturally flourless: Fresh cassava replaces regular wheat flour, giving the cake its characteristic texture.
Simple ingredients: The recipe uses everyday baking ingredients alongside fresh cassava.
Delicious flavor: Sugar provides sweetness, while grated cheese adds a gentle savory richness.
Moist and tender: Butter, milk, and freshly prepared cassava create a satisfying texture.
Traditional inspiration: It celebrates the familiar flavors of homemade Brazilian-style cooking.
Perfect for sharing: This recipe makes approximately eight servings, ideal for family gatherings or afternoon treats.
Ingredients for Brazilian Cassava Cake with Cheese
You only need a handful of ingredients to prepare this traditional grated cassava cake.
1 kilogram raw cassava: The main ingredient that gives the cake its distinctive texture. Choose fresh, firm cassava roots.
200 grams grated cheese: Adds richness and a slightly savory flavor that complements the sweetness.
100 grams unsalted butter: Helps create a tender, moist cake.
2 cups sugar (320 grams): Sweetens the batter and balances the flavor of the cheese.
6 eggs: Help bind the ingredients and provide structure.
1 cup milk (240 milliliters): Adds moisture and helps bring the batter together.
1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
Ground cinnamon: For a fragrant finishing touch.
Powdered sugar: For dusting the cooled cake before serving.
How to Make Brazilian Cassava Cake with Cheese
Follow these step-by-step instructions to prepare a delicious homemade cake using fresh grated cassava.
Step 1: Prepare the Fresh Cassava
Start by peeling the cassava and cutting it into manageable pieces. Place the pieces in a bowl of filtered water and allow them to soak briefly. This helps hydrate the cassava before grating.
Step 2: Grate the Cassava
Once the cassava has softened slightly, grate it using the fine side of a grater. Transfer the freshly grated cassava into a large bowl and cover it with water.
Step 3: Remove Excess Liquid
Place the grated cassava mixture inside a clean, bleached cotton cloth. Gather the edges and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible.
Continue squeezing until the water stops dripping. Set aside approximately 600 grams of the prepared cassava dough for the recipe. Removing excess moisture is an important step in achieving the right cake consistency.
Step 4: Prepare the Remaining Ingredients
Before mixing the batter, measure all the remaining ingredients and arrange them on your work surface. This preparation, known as mise en place, makes the baking process easier and helps ensure everything is ready when needed.
Step 5: Mix the Eggs, Sugar, and Butter
Melt the unsalted butter and allow it to cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar and salt until well combined.
Gradually pour in the melted butter while continuing to mix. Keep stirring until the ingredients form a smooth, uniform mixture.
Step 6: Add the Cassava, Cheese, and Milk
Add the prepared cassava dough, grated cheese, and milk to the egg mixture.
Stir everything thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly distributed and you have a consistent cake batter. Make sure there are no large clumps of cassava remaining.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Preheat your oven and transfer the batter into a suitable greased baking pan.
Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the surface becomes beautifully golden and the cake is cooked through. Insert a toothpick into the center to check for doneness. It should come out without wet batter attached.
Step 8: Cool and Finish with Cinnamon Sugar
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool before carefully unmolding.
Combine the powdered sugar with a little ground cinnamon and lightly sprinkle the mixture over the top of the cake.
Slice and serve your homemade Brazilian cassava cake with cheese. Enjoy its rich flavor, moist texture, and comforting homemade goodness!
Tips for Making the Best Cassava Cake
Choose fresh cassava: Fresh, firm cassava is best for this recipe. Avoid roots that appear dry, discolored, or spoiled.
Remove excess moisture: Squeezing the grated cassava thoroughly is essential. Too much liquid can affect the final cake texture.
Measure the prepared cassava: The recipe calls for approximately 600 grams of squeezed cassava dough, not the full kilogram of raw cassava.
Let the melted butter cool: Allow the butter to cool slightly before adding it to the beaten eggs to avoid heating the mixture excessively.
Check the center before removing: Baking times can vary depending on your oven and baking pan. Use the toothpick test to check whether the cake is ready.
Cool before slicing: Give the cake enough time to cool and set before unmolding. This helps the slices hold their shape.
How to Serve Brazilian Cassava Cake
This homemade cassava cake is delicious on its own, especially with its light cinnamon and powdered sugar topping.
For a lovely afternoon treat, serve a slice with freshly brewed coffee or tea. It also makes a wonderful dessert after lunch or dinner.
You can enjoy it at room temperature or slightly warmed, depending on your preference. Its rich, comforting flavor makes it suitable for family gatherings, celebrations, and everyday moments when you want something homemade.
How to Store Leftover Cassava Cake
Allow the cake to cool completely before storing it.
Refrigerator: Keep leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for approximately 3–4 days.
Freezer: Wrap individual portions securely and freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
Reheating: Warm refrigerated or thawed slices gently in the microwave or oven until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brazilian cassava cake gluten-free?
This recipe does not contain wheat flour or other gluten-containing ingredients in its listed ingredients. However, check the cheese and other packaged ingredients for possible cross-contamination if you need to avoid gluten strictly.
Can I make cassava cake without regular flour?
Yes! Fresh cassava provides the main structure and texture in this recipe, so there is no need to add regular wheat flour.
Why do I need to squeeze the grated cassava?
Fresh cassava contains considerable moisture. Squeezing the grated cassava helps remove excess liquid and produces a more suitable consistency for the cake batter.
Can I use frozen cassava?
Fresh cassava is recommended for the original preparation method. Frozen cassava may also work, but it should be completely thawed, drained, and prepared appropriately before grating or processing.
What does cassava cake with cheese taste like?
It has a sweet, rich flavor with a gentle savory note from the cheese. Its texture is moist and dense rather than light and fluffy like a conventional sponge cake.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 8 servings, making it a lovely dessert to share with family and friends.
Final Thoughts
This Brazilian Cassava Cake with Cheese is a beautiful example of how simple ingredients can create a memorable homemade dessert. Fresh cassava, creamy butter, milk, eggs, and grated cheese come together to produce a wonderfully moist cake with a golden finish and a comforting traditional flavor.
Finished with a delicate dusting of cinnamon and powdered sugar, every slice is a little taste of homemade goodness.
Give this traditional-style grated cassava cake a try and enjoy a delicious dessert that's perfect for sharing. If you make it, let us know how it turns out in the comments!
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