This post was originally published on November 5, 2008. It has been updated once since then.
Mmm pone. A sinfully sweet childhood memory. Not a pudding, not a cake, but something somewhere in between. Pones are usually made from root vegetables. You can also make them with carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkin. This time around I decided to try my hand at a popular local version made from cassava. Cassava is intriguing in that although it appears excessively dry when in its raw state, once baked it melts and morphs into a wonderful ‘gelatinous gloop’ 
As a lazy, modern lady, I decided to buy my cassava pre-peeled and frozen.
I saved even more time by handing the duty of grating over to J Boys as human food processors?Who knew! …. Alll I really had to do at this point was mix and stir 
That’s the lovely thing about pone, it’s pretty much foolproof. The only thing you have to worry about is overbaking it. You don’t want it to dry out, as part of the decadence, is the creamy, moist texture.
Follow these instructions to the tee and your batter may seem slightly fluid when the oven timer goes off. Have no fear, as long as there is a good crust, and the batter is more like firm jello, than milk you should be alright. Make sure to let the pone cool completely before cutting. All will be well
Cassava Pone
Makes 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 ¼ cups brown sugar
1 lb. raw cassava grated
1 cup milk
½ tsp. nutmeg or mace
½ pack dried coconut flakes
2 cups hot water
1 cup coconut milk
2 tbsp. melted butter
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp, ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
METHOD:
1. Combine cassava with milk, sugar and spices and mix well.
2. Add raisins (if using), coconut, hot water and melted butter.
3. Mix briskly and taste for sweetness desired.
4. Add more sugar if necessary, pour into greased Pyrex dish. (This time around I used a non-stick baking pan. As it was black I lowered the temperature from 375 to 350 F.)
5. Bake at 375 F for 45 – 50 minutes
6. Let cool and cut into slices or cubes to serve.
This recipe is an exclusive TriniGourmet original. Please do not share it or post it to your site without crediting TriniGourmet.com. A link back to our site is not necessary but always appreciated
About Sarina
Passionate foodie, founder of Trinigourmet and Caribbean Lifestyle Maven. Author of "Glam By Request: 30+ Easy Caribbean Recipes"
This month marks the third installment of my “CookALong” series where a prominent (usually) Caribbean personality follows one of my recipes, and sometimes throws in a few of their own This week however I’m shaking things up a bit by ...
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Hey Girl, how you doin?
Hey Girl, how you doin?
Cynthia – hungry and stressed
Cynthia – hungry and stressed
Cynthia – hungry and stressed
Your blog is super. So are your photographies. They make me hungry. I have spent a nice moment when seeing them. Thanks a lot.
Your blog is super. So are your photographies. They make me hungry. I have spent a nice moment when seeing them. Thanks a lot.
Eleonora – Thanks
!
Eleonora – Thanks
!
Eleonora – Thanks
!
this should be called Lazy Pone with your coconut milk and coconut flakesz girl get a grater!
hahaha, if you’ve been reading for a while you’ll know that one of my most hated activities is grating. I make no bones about taking shortcuts, such items exist for my convenience and I make full use of em
One is always free to take/stick to the labour-intensive methods if that’s one wants, not stopping ya 
this should be called Lazy Pone with your coconut milk and coconut flakesz girl get a grater!
hahaha, if you’ve been reading for a while you’ll know that one of my most hated activities is grating. I make no bones about taking shortcuts, such items exist for my convenience and I make full use of em
One is always free to take/stick to the labour-intensive methods if that’s one wants, not stopping ya 
The Cassava receipe was wonderful i have been looking for one for quite a while. I would love if you can send this page to me.
The Cassava receipe was wonderful i have been looking for one for quite a while. I would love if you can send this page to me.
Hi Sarina,
Just discovered your site while looking for info on coconuts for a blog post. Great site. Love the recipes and info esp. as I am feeling a bit homesick at the moment.
By the way, I love your name. What does it mean?
Blessings and Happy Valentines day!
Sita’s last blog post..Then Sings My Soul Saturday
Hi Sarina,
Just discovered your site while looking for info on coconuts for a blog post. Great site. Love the recipes and info esp. as I am feeling a bit homesick at the moment.
By the way, I love your name. What does it mean?
Blessings and Happy Valentines day!
Sita’s last blog post..Then Sings My Soul Saturday
Hi Sarina,
Just discovered your site while looking for info on coconuts for a blog post. Great site. Love the recipes and info esp. as I am feeling a bit homesick at the moment.
By the way, I love your name. What does it mean?
Blessings and Happy Valentines day!
Sita’s last blog post..Then Sings My Soul Saturday
Hi Sarina,
Just discovered your site while looking for info on coconuts for a blog post. Great site. Love the recipes and info esp. as I am feeling a bit homesick at the moment.
By the way, I love your name. What does it mean?
Blessings and Happy Valentines day!
Sita’s last blog post..Then Sings My Soul Saturday
So glad it came out well Elizabeth, not sure I understood your request about sending the page to you? You can always email it to yourself using the link provided or bookmark it…
Hi Sita!
So glad you like the site 
My name means princess 
Happy Valentine’s day to you too!
So glad it came out well Elizabeth, not sure I understood your request about sending the page to you? You can always email it to yourself using the link provided or bookmark it…
Hi Sita!
So glad you like the site 
My name means princess 
Happy Valentine’s day to you too!
Can you please send me a good sponge cake recipe, light and tasty.
Thanks.
Can you please send me a good sponge cake recipe, light and tasty.
Thanks.
Can you please send me a good sponge cake recipe, light and tasty.
Thanks.
I have a little lest time on my hands than some and very little access to a caribbean suppermarket. My question is, can I use dried (grated) cassava to make pone???
Definitely randy! Some may sneer at these shortcuts, but they are quite valid if you ask me
Definitely randy! Some may sneer at these shortcuts, but they are quite valid if you ask me
I have a little lest time on my hands than some and very little access to a caribbean suppermarket. My question is, can I use dried (grated) cassava to make pone???
Definitely randy! Some may sneer at these shortcuts, but they are quite valid if you ask me
Attempted the pone, but how much cups is 1/2 a pack of coconut. Living in Round Rock, Tx and the packs may vary here…Thank you!
Hi Tania, sorry about that! 1/2 a pack is around 1/3 – 1/2 cup. Play around
Another coconut question – is it sweetened or unsweetened?
I prefer unsweetened. Best Wishes
I prefer unsweetened. Best Wishes
I'm looking at this recipe from Pflugerville, TX. I didn't think there were too many round these parts that know about pone
Attempted the pone, but how much cups is 1/2 a pack of coconut. Living in Round Rock, Tx and the packs may vary here…Thank you!
Attempted the pone, but how much cups is 1/2 a pack of coconut. Living in Round Rock, Tx and the packs may vary here…Thank you!
Hi Tania, sorry about that! 1/2 a pack is around 1/3 – 1/2 cup. Play around
Another coconut question – is it sweetened or unsweetened?
I prefer unsweetened. Best Wishes
I'm looking at this recipe from Pflugerville, TX. I didn't think there were too many round these parts that know about pone
Hi Sarina, Don’t know where I went wrong, as I put 1 cup of coconut…but still too much liquid…so it didn’t set the way it should even with extended cook time; but the flavor is excellent…brings back childhood memories of when my mommy made it. But, I will decrease liquid and as you say play around. Thank you for all the recipes that you posted, ect… I am in the process of soaking my fruit for the black cake, another favorite of mine…esp. the pureed fruit kind.
Hi Sarina, Don’t know where I went wrong, as I put 1 cup of coconut…but still too much liquid…so it didn’t set the way it should even with extended cook time; but the flavor is excellent…brings back childhood memories of when my mommy made it. But, I will decrease liquid and as you say play around. Thank you for all the recipes that you posted, ect… I am in the process of soaking my fruit for the black cake, another favorite of mine…esp. the pureed fruit kind.
Hi Sarina, Don’t know where I went wrong, as I put 1 cup of coconut…but still too much liquid…so it didn’t set the way it should even with extended cook time; but the flavor is excellent…brings back childhood memories of when my mommy made it. But, I will decrease liquid and as you say play around. Thank you for all the recipes that you posted, ect… I am in the process of soaking my fruit for the black cake, another favorite of mine…esp. the pureed fruit kind.
Hi Sarina, Don’t know where I went wrong, as I put 1 cup of coconut…but still too much liquid…so it didn’t set the way it should even with extended cook time; but the flavor is excellent…brings back childhood memories of when my mommy made it. But, I will decrease liquid and as you say play around. Thank you for all the recipes that you posted, ect… I am in the process of soaking my fruit for the black cake, another favorite of mine…esp. the pureed fruit kind.
I can’t wait to try this recipe this weekend. I even saw frozen pre-grated cassava at the supermarket, so even easier.
thanks,
Noreen (Canadian Bajan)
I can’t wait to try this recipe this weekend. I even saw frozen pre-grated cassava at the supermarket, so even easier.
thanks,
Noreen (Canadian Bajan)
This might seem a silly question but if you buy the cassava in its raw state from the store, should I boil it or am i supposed to grate it raw? I wasn’t sure if the frozen version was already cooked
Thanks
Dear Keish, grate it raw
This might seem a silly question but if you buy the cassava in its raw state from the store, should I boil it or am i supposed to grate it raw? I wasn’t sure if the frozen version was already cooked
Thanks
Dear Keish, grate it raw
thank you!!! i go to tirinidad jus for trini food…. the doubles right outside the airport….mmmm lovely… thanks alot…please keep posting more recipes
thank you!!! i go to tirinidad jus for trini food…. the doubles right outside the airport….mmmm lovely… thanks alot…please keep posting more recipes
Hi, Sarina-
I’m working at a new Caribbean Restaurant in town and the owners are from Trinidad. I tried to surprise her by making my own pone after tasting it at a local picnic.
She said I didn’t make it quite right because I should have used grated fresh coconut and it should have come out more cake-like.
I used fresh frozen cassava from a Philipino store (which made it super-easy!) and I bought frozen grated coconut to try. Should I dry it in the oven first and I saw you said 1/2 pack is 1/2 to 1/3 cup? But someone else said they used a whole cup? Anyway, I’m wondering if that is part of what I did wrong.
Also, what size pyrex pan do you use? Perhaps that is my error.
Thank you so much! I love your site!! Mrs. Theresa cooks for me but I always feel bad taking her food that she could be selling so I want to make my own for my children and to share. (And I love a challenge!)
God bless and Happy Thanksgiving! -Cheryl
Hi, Sarina-
I’m working at a new Caribbean Restaurant in town and the owners are from Trinidad. I tried to surprise her by making my own pone after tasting it at a local picnic.
She said I didn’t make it quite right because I should have used grated fresh coconut and it should have come out more cake-like.
I used fresh frozen cassava from a Philipino store (which made it super-easy!) and I bought frozen grated coconut to try. Should I dry it in the oven first and I saw you said 1/2 pack is 1/2 to 1/3 cup? But someone else said they used a whole cup? Anyway, I’m wondering if that is part of what I did wrong.
Also, what size pyrex pan do you use? Perhaps that is my error.
Thank you so much! I love your site!! Mrs. Theresa cooks for me but I always feel bad taking her food that she could be selling so I want to make my own for my children and to share. (And I love a challenge!)
God bless and Happy Thanksgiving! -Cheryl
Hi, Sarina-
I’m working at a new Caribbean Restaurant in town and the owners are from Trinidad. I tried to surprise her by making my own pone after tasting it at a local picnic.
She said I didn’t make it quite right because I should have used grated fresh coconut and it should have come out more cake-like.
I used fresh frozen cassava from a Philipino store (which made it super-easy!) and I bought frozen grated coconut to try. Should I dry it in the oven first and I saw you said 1/2 pack is 1/2 to 1/3 cup? But someone else said they used a whole cup? Anyway, I’m wondering if that is part of what I did wrong.
Also, what size pyrex pan do you use? Perhaps that is my error.
Thank you so much! I love your site!! Mrs. Theresa cooks for me but I always feel bad taking her food that she could be selling so I want to make my own for my children and to share. (And I love a challenge!)
God bless and Happy Thanksgiving! -Cheryl
SARINA hello this recipe looks good and I am about to make it. But I wanted your help tracking down another recipe. I used to have a link to a caribbean cassava pone that called for no grated coconut, it just had coconut milk in it! so the texture was softer, gooier and didnt ahve as much of a bite to it. It also featured a lot of grated fresh ginger which may have been the only seasoning., there may have been some vanilla and nutmeg, but definitely a lot of grated ginger.
What do you make of this? Are there places where pone is made with just the grated cassava, sugar, butter, coconut milk, milk etc and seasonings and no grated coconut or pumpkin? Do you like this, or is it too gooey and soft for most peoples tastes. I always thought it was a cool recipe!
Also I have to ask you, what is the difference in using more or less coconut milk vs whole milk?
is a combo of half and half like u use here the best bet?
by the way ur recipe is awesome and my favorite so far, I love fresh ginger tohugh, so i may modify it in that regard, what do you think? im guessing your recipe has an intriguing subtle blend of the spices, the one i found was in your face and very gingery.
and do u have any idea what recipe I am talking about.
ps i luv u
SARINA hello this recipe looks good and I am about to make it. But I wanted your help tracking down another recipe. I used to have a link to a caribbean cassava pone that called for no grated coconut, it just had coconut milk in it! so the texture was softer, gooier and didnt ahve as much of a bite to it. It also featured a lot of grated fresh ginger which may have been the only seasoning., there may have been some vanilla and nutmeg, but definitely a lot of grated ginger.
What do you make of this? Are there places where pone is made with just the grated cassava, sugar, butter, coconut milk, milk etc and seasonings and no grated coconut or pumpkin? Do you like this, or is it too gooey and soft for most peoples tastes. I always thought it was a cool recipe!
Also I have to ask you, what is the difference in using more or less coconut milk vs whole milk?
is a combo of half and half like u use here the best bet?
by the way ur recipe is awesome and my favorite so far, I love fresh ginger tohugh, so i may modify it in that regard, what do you think? im guessing your recipe has an intriguing subtle blend of the spices, the one i found was in your face and very gingery.
and do u have any idea what recipe I am talking about.
ps i luv u
SARINA hello this recipe looks good and I am about to make it. But I wanted your help tracking down another recipe. I used to have a link to a caribbean cassava pone that called for no grated coconut, it just had coconut milk in it! so the texture was softer, gooier and didnt ahve as much of a bite to it. It also featured a lot of grated fresh ginger which may have been the only seasoning., there may have been some vanilla and nutmeg, but definitely a lot of grated ginger.
What do you make of this? Are there places where pone is made with just the grated cassava, sugar, butter, coconut milk, milk etc and seasonings and no grated coconut or pumpkin? Do you like this, or is it too gooey and soft for most peoples tastes. I always thought it was a cool recipe!
Also I have to ask you, what is the difference in using more or less coconut milk vs whole milk?
is a combo of half and half like u use here the best bet?
by the way ur recipe is awesome and my favorite so far, I love fresh ginger tohugh, so i may modify it in that regard, what do you think? im guessing your recipe has an intriguing subtle blend of the spices, the one i found was in your face and very gingery.
and do u have any idea what recipe I am talking about.
ps i luv u
SARINA hello this recipe looks good and I am about to make it. But I wanted your help tracking down another recipe. I used to have a link to a caribbean cassava pone that called for no grated coconut, it just had coconut milk in it! so the texture was softer, gooier and didnt ahve as much of a bite to it. It also featured a lot of grated fresh ginger which may have been the only seasoning., there may have been some vanilla and nutmeg, but definitely a lot of grated ginger.
What do you make of this? Are there places where pone is made with just the grated cassava, sugar, butter, coconut milk, milk etc and seasonings and no grated coconut or pumpkin? Do you like this, or is it too gooey and soft for most peoples tastes. I always thought it was a cool recipe!
Also I have to ask you, what is the difference in using more or less coconut milk vs whole milk?
is a combo of half and half like u use here the best bet?
by the way ur recipe is awesome and my favorite so far, I love fresh ginger tohugh, so i may modify it in that regard, what do you think? im guessing your recipe has an intriguing subtle blend of the spices, the one i found was in your face and very gingery.
and do u have any idea what recipe I am talking about.
ps i luv u
I'm even lazier than you…Goya has frozen grated cassava and grated coconut products, its found in spanish markets. The flavor and texture is the same as freshly grated.
I'm even lazier than you…Goya has frozen grated cassava and grated coconut products, its found in spanish markets. The flavor and texture is the same as freshly grated.
We have a similar recipe in Colombia. Enyucado and it is delicious!Your recipe sounds fantastic.
We have a similar recipe in Colombia. Enyucado and it is delicious!Your recipe sounds fantastic.
We have a similar recipe in Colombia. Enyucado and it is delicious!Your recipe sounds fantastic.