Tortitas de yuca en dulce are a traditional Guatemalan dessert of cooked, mashed cassava mixed with sugar and spices, shaped into small patties and fried.
It’s a simple use-it-up sweet, with a soft interior and lightly crispy exterior.
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Guatemalan Sweet Cassava Fritters
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 pieces
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Guatemalan
Ingredients
- 1 kg of cassava (yuca), peeled and cut into pieces (about 2.2 lb)
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 2 of eggs
- to taste of oil, for frying
- to taste of extra sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the cassava, boil the cassava in water until very tender.
- Make a mash, drain and make a smooth mash with the cooked cassava, removing the central fiber if needed.
- Mix, combine the cassava mash with the sugar, cinnamon, and eggs, mixing until fully combined.
- Shape the patties, with damp hands, shape small flattened patties with the mixture.
- Fry, fry the patties in hot oil until golden on both sides.
- Drain, remove and drain excess oil on paper towels.
- Serve, dust with extra sugar, if desired, and serve warm.
Tips for getting it right
- Removing the cassava’s central fiber well when mashing gives the patties a smoother texture.
- Frying over medium heat lets the patties cook through without burning on the outside.
- Damp hands make it easier to shape the patties without the mixture sticking.
- It’s a simple use-it-up sweet, ideal for using cassava available at home.
Traditional variations
- It’s a traditional use-it-up dessert, present in different regions of Guatemala.
- Some families add lemon or orange zest for extra aroma.
How to serve
Tortitas de yuca en dulce are served warm, dusted with sugar.
They’re a simple, traditional dessert, ideal as a snack in Guatemala.
Recommended sides
- Coffee
Did you know?
Cassava is a very versatile ingredient in Guatemalan cooking, used in both savory and sweet preparations.
These patties are a classic way to turn cassava, a staple root vegetable, into a simple, tasty dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
They're a Guatemalan dessert of cooked, mashed cassava mixed with sugar and spices, shaped into patties and fried.
Removing the central fiber helps achieve a smoother mash, without strands affecting the patties' texture.
Yes, some families add lemon or orange zest for extra aroma.
They're served warm, dusted with extra sugar, as a snack or simple dessert.
