Jamaica produces about 95 million coconuts each year – a large number of which is consumed locally. The mature fruit forms the basis for confectioneries such as grater cake, gizzada, and drops that are popular among Jamaicans. These coconut treats turn up in grocery shops, in the baskets of itinerant food sellers and on fancy tables.
A few weeks ago, I attended an event and was pleasantly surprised to see grater cakes among the sweets on the dessert table. Grater cakes are made primarily of sugar and grated or shredded coconut with a little almond essence. It’s relatively easy to make and perhaps because it’s mostly sugar, satisfies the sweet tooth.
Granny is
fried dumplin’ an’ run-dung,
coconut drops an’ grater cake,
fresh ground coffee smell in the mornin’
when we wake.
– From the poem, Granny is, by Valerie Bloom
In the old days, we made grater cake with wet sugar, which is raw or unrefined sugar, also called Muscovado sugar. Wet sugar isn’t as popular as it used to be so now we use granulated (white) sugar.
How to Make Grater Cake
Ingredients
3 cups dried or shredded coconut
2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/8 teaspoon almond essence
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon red food colouring (optional)
Directions
Peel off the outer layer (brown portion) of the dried coconut, wash, grate and set aside.
Combine grated coconut, granulated sugar and water in a pot and put to boil. Reduce to medium flame, mix in the almond essence and the salt. Stir constantly until mixture thickens.
Remove a 1/3 of the mixture and add a small amount of red food colouring to give a delicate pink colour.
Scrape remaining coconut mixture into a greased casserole dish and spread evenly.
Spread the pink coloured coconut evenly over the white mixture.
Set aside for 25-30 minutes or until sufficiently cooled.
Cut into squares and serve.
Recipe from gracefoods.com
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Yummy! 🙂 Thank you for the recipe…
I love coconut and that looks so good!!
These treats look very moist and sweet. I definitely have a sweet tooth, so I’d definitely like to give these a try!
Wow, on the 95 million coconuts each year! I go back and forth depending on my taste bud mood with coconut true. What really appealed to me with this was the almond essence. I absolutely one to try one (or three), Marcia! 🙂
Marcie, I am looking forward more and more to your Foodie Tuesdays! Another great tale and recipe you provided us. My contribution is more ‘drink’ than ‘eat’ but hey, what’s the fun of eating if not having an indulgent drink as well?
Oh man. My teeth hurt just reading this recipe!
that looks very simple and delicious, i’ll have to try making this some day
This looks mouth-watering delicious! I wish I had a tribe of kids in my house as an excuse to make it~
That is one of my favourite confectioneries! It was always a popular item at school fêtes, we called it coconut ice though. I think I am going to have to make it just for the nostalgia!
This looks and sounds delicious. I love coconut, and so does my Dad (more than I do). He would love this recipe!
Grater cake sounds like something I’d enjoy. I actually have all the ingredients in my kitchen right now!
This looks amazing! I’ve never heard of Grater Cake before.
That’s a lot of coconuts! I don’t have have things with coconuts, but it’s always a treat when I do. Grater Cake looks delicious. I’d like to dig in right this minute.
Looks very good, I’m very keen on coconut myself and the kids too. One to boommark.
Wow that is so interesting. I have never heard of Grater cakes. So is there much of a difference for it with granulated or wet sugar? I’d be curious how they’d compare overall!
Good question, Anwar. I’ve never had it made with wet sugar so I’m not sure how they taste.
One of these days, I’ll have to give it a try.
And it’s pretty simple to make, Seana. Hope you try it one of these days.
Actually, we used to produce more, Cathy.
Coconut’s always a lovely treat, for sure. Hope you try this recipe, it’s not that difficult.
Hope you get to try it, Michele. It’d probably be a big hit with your kids!
You’re welcome, Lili!
Thanks, Lisa. It’s a lovely treat.
It’s the perfect treat for you then as it’s all sugar and coconut.
Yup, the almond essence adds a lovely flavor.
We used to produce more but hurricanes and diseases have reduced the numbers. There’s constant replanting.
Agreed Jackie, drink is a vital part of a meal.
And btw, I loved your drink, hope to try it one of these days.
Yup, it’s sweet, Suzanne!
But, it is possible to use less sugar and still enjoy a delicious treat.
Hope you do, Noel. If you like coconut, you’ll like this.
Adults love it too, Irene!
Ahh, interesting. I Googled coconut ice. I guess it’s called that because it’s refrigerated to make it firm.
Thanks for sharing, Thomas. I’d never heard of the name before.
It’s a delicious little treat. I’m sure he’d love it too, Nancie!
If you like coconut, Laurel, you’d like this. It’s pretty good.
Glad I could introduce you to something different.