Thank you so much for joining me in the kitchen today! I’m beyond excited to share this heartwarming recipe for Belize Sweet Potato Heritage Pudding—a sweet, nostalgic dessert bursting with tropical flavors and cultural roots. Grab a cup of coffee (or maybe some sweet Belizean coffee!) and let’s dive in. Don’t forget to subscribe below for more recipes delivered straight to your inbox!
Overview of Recipe Content
What is Belize Sweet Potato Heritage Pudding?
This pudding is a treasured dessert from Belizean cuisine—a warm, comforting blend of sweet potatoes, coconut, and comforting spices. It shines at family gatherings, festive holidays, or as a cozy after-dinner treat.
Why You’ll Love It
- Naturally gluten-free & vegetarian: Made without flour, using wholesome ingredients.
- Sweet vibrancy from sweet potatoes and coconut milk, with a gentle spice trail from cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Comforting warmth—perfectly suited for fall and winter, yet light enough for year-round enjoyment.
Flavor & Texture
Imagine a smooth, rich custard with flecks of sweet potato and tender plumped raisins. Warm, cozy, and subtly tropical—it’s like a taste hug from Belize!
Nutritional Benefits
- A good source of vitamin A, fiber, and healthy fats.
- Lower refined sugar (brown sugar and natural sweetness from sweet potato).
- Coconut milk adds a creamy, dairy‑free richness.
Ingredients
- 2 cups grated sweet potatoes
- 1 cup coconut milk (full fat)
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
- ½ cup raisins (optional, but traditional and delicious)
Tools Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Grater or food processor
- Whisk
- 8×8″ baking dish (or individual ramekins)
- Aluminum foil (optional)
- Oven set to 350°F (175°C)
Substitutions & Additions
- Maple syrup in place of brown sugar for a natural sweetener twist.
- Dairy-free version: substitute butter with coconut oil.
- Add ½ teaspoon orange zest for citrus brightness.
- Swap raisins for dried cranberries or chopped dates for variation.
How to Make Belize Sweet Potato Heritage Pudding
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8″ baking dish or individual ramekins.
- Grate your sweet potatoes until you have about 2 cups. A food processor or box grater works great.
- Mix wet and spices: In a bowl, whisk together coconut milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
- Combine with sweet potatoes: Stir grated sweet potatoes and raisins into the mixture until well-coated.
- Pour into baking dish. Spread evenly, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake covered (optional) for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10–15 minutes until the top looks set and slightly golden.
- Cool briefly (about 10 minutes) to let it set, then serve warm or at room temperature.
(Don’t skip the butter or coconut oil! It brings that luscious, rich creaminess.)
What to Serve with Belize Sweet Potato Heritage Pudding
- Toasted coconut flakes for crunch and brighter coconut flavor.
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream or creamy coconut ice cream.
- A drizzly white rum caramel sauce—perfect for special occasions.
- Garnish with chopped toasted nuts (cashews or pecans) for texture and color.
Tips for Making It Perfect
- Evenly grate your sweet potatoes so the pudding bakes uniformly.
- Cover with foil for the first 35 minutes to keep moisture; uncover only at the end for a nicely set top.
- Prep in advance: Mix the batter and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Bake fresh later on.
- Customize textures: Blend half the sweet potatoes until smooth, and leave the rest grated for extra creamy with soft potato bits.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Cover and chill for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: After chilling, transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave individual servings gently.
General Information
This pudding is a nod to Belize’s Garifuna and Mayan culinary heritage. Sweet potatoes grow abundantly in the region, and coconut milk is a staple—this dessert is simple, but brimming with tradition. Baking it brings the kitchen to life with evocative spice aromas.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use yams instead of sweet potatoes?
Absolutely! Just note yams have a denser texture and milder sweetness. You may need to slightly adjust the baking time.
2. What’s the best way to grate potatoes without a food processor?
I recommend a box grater using the medium-to-large side. Grating by hand gives a lovely texture.
3. Can I make this vegan?
Yes! Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. It stays creamy and delicious!
4. Can I reduce sugar?
You can reduce brown sugar to ⅓ cup, but it may be less sweet—adding raisins or maple syrup helps balance that.
5. Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Just use a 9×13″ dish and extend baking time by about 15–20 minutes.
6. Is an alternative milk okay?
Yes, but coconut milk gives the best tropical richness. Almond or oat milk results in a thinner custard.
Interactive Elements
I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a review or a comment below. If you make this pudding, snap a photo and share it on Pinterest or tag me @poulefrecipe—pinspiration makes my day! ❤️
Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving, serves 9)
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 180 kcal |
Carbohydrates | 28 g |
Protein | 2 g |
Fat | 7 g |
Fiber | 3 g |
Sugar | 14 g |
Conclusion
This Belize Sweet Potato Heritage Pudding is more than just a dessert—it’s a taste of culture, memory, and tropical warmth baked into every golden bite. From the creamy coconut milk to the fragrant cinnamon and sweet raisins, it’s the kind of dish that wraps you in a blanket of flavor and nostalgia. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday feast or sneaking a bite with your morning coffee (guilty!), this pudding never disappoints.
If you loved this, you’ll also want to try my Spiced Sweet Potato Biscuits or Coconut Mango Bread Pudding—they use some of the same cozy ingredients and bring big flavor to the table.
Thank you for spending time with me in the kitchen. If you make this pudding, I’d love to see it! Please share your delicious creation over on Pinterest and tag me 👉 Pinterest | @poulefrecipe — your photos make my day! 💛
PrintBelize Sweet Potato Heritage Pudding 🌟
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting, spice-laced dessert from Belize featuring grated sweet potatoes, creamy coconut milk, and warm spices. Baked until tender and golden, this pudding is perfect for cozy evenings, holidays, or when you’re craving something soulful and sweet.
Ingredients
2 cups grated sweet potatoes
1 cup coconut milk
½ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons melted butter
½ cup raisins (optional)
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8″ baking dish.
-
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, vanilla, and melted butter.
-
Stir in the grated sweet potatoes and raisins until evenly combined.
-
Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and smooth the top.
-
Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
-
Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until set and slightly golden.
-
Cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature.
Notes
-
Coconut oil can replace butter for a dairy-free version.
-
Use orange zest or swap raisins for dates for a twist.
-
This pudding tastes even better the next day—just warm it slightly!
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Belizean
Leave a Review