Typical Jamaican food is spicy, sweet, and incredibly comforting, and the Jamaican desserts are no exception. Due to the locals’ love of fresh fruit, rich spices, and sugar, Caribbean desserts are full of flavour and won’t leave you unsatisfied!
Some common ingredients feature in many Jamaican Desserts and puddings. Look out for coconut, bananas, and of course, ginger. The best way to enjoy these flavorful foods is with a Red Stripe beer or classic Jamaican ginger beer and rum cocktail. Preferably while watching a sunset!
Jamaican Sweet Potato Pie
If there is one Jamaican dessert you have to try, it’s Jamaican sweet potato pie. Affectionately known as hell a top, hell a bottom, and hallelujah in the middle. Sweet potato pie is one of the most popular desserts in Jamaica and will have you coming back for more after the first mouthful.
This layered Jamaican dessert combines textures from the crunchy top and bottom crusts and creamy, moist centre. Sweet potato is mixed with sugar, vanilla, and rum, then poured onto a coconut crust and baked on hot coals.
Jamaican sweet potato pie can be found all over the island. And is usually a regular feature on the menus everywhere, from jerk chicken shacks to upmarket beach resorts. Enjoy with a delicious rum-based cocktail or just on its own with coconut cream on top!
Jamaican Ginger Cake
It has to be said that Jamaicans love their ginger, and nothing is better than a Jamaican ginger cake for brightening up a sunny afternoon. Made with coconut, sugar, and ginger, this moist Jamaican dessert has a similar taste to English gingerbread. And makes a perfect addition to Christmas celebrations.
Black Jamaican Cake & Jamaican Rum Cake
This Jamaican pudding is a special occasion cake that tastes like a celebration! Whether it’s Christmas, a wedding, or a birthday, there is no party without a black Jamaican cake at the centre. While it’s commonly found in Jamaica, this delicious dessert is also a staple across other Caribbean islands. With each place taking its twist on the unique treat.
Known as Jamaican rum dessert or Jamaican fruit cake, black Jamaican cake is made using rum-soaked dried fruit. That is blended and added to a flour-based batter. More rum, or sometimes wine, is poured over the cake’s top after baking to keep it moist. Spicy, sweet, and chewy. This Jamaican delicacy is easiest to find around Christmas, though you can sometimes get slices of the fresh fruit cake from bakeries and grocery stores year-round.
Hummingbird Cake
Decadent and sweet, hummingbird cake is a true Jamaican delicacy and one you’ll be talking about to friends back home. This is regarded as the king of Caribbean sweets for many reasons. As lovely as it is delicious. You’ll quickly understand why.
Instead of coconut (we know!), hummingbird cake gets its sweet flavour from overripe pineapples and bananas, with cream cheese making up the base. While the combination may sound strange, the acidity and sugar work perfectly with the creamy cheese and crunchy pecans to create a deliciously rich, moist treat.
Hummingbird cake is a popular treat in Jamaica, and many restaurants and fancy cake stores will have this beautiful colourful dessert on their shelves. Do yourself a favour and grab a slice – alongside a Jamaican ginger beer, of course!
Toto
Coconut is the basic yet main ingredient in many Jamaican desserts. Adding a sweet, nutty flavour and a tender, creamy texture to any dessert, it is a popular ingredient worldwide. One such famous Jamaican dessert made of coconut is coconut Toto/To-to.
Toto is a popular dessert in Jamaica made with grated coconut, sugar, and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. The ingredients are mixed, moulded into small rounds or oval shapes, and then baked until their firm and golden brown. Toto is usually served as a sweet snack or as a dessert with a cup of tea. It’s a staple in Jamaican cuisine and is enjoyed by locals and tourists for its rich and sweet flavour and soft, cake-like texture.
Gizzada
Gizzada, is a traditional Jamaican pastry that bestows upon us the taste of paradise itself. Picture a flaky and buttery crust, a gateway to a luscious coconut filling that tantalizes the senses. Embark on a journey of texture and taste as your teeth meet the gratifying crunch of the pastry shell, surrendering to the sweet symphony of freshly grated coconut, velvety brown sugar, and aromatic spices like nutmeg and vanilla.
Allow the combination of textures and the infusion of fragrant spices to transport you to the serene beaches and swaying palm trees of Jamaica. Indulge in this tropical pastry pleasure and let your taste buds rejoice in the perfect harmony of flavors that only Gizzada can offer.
Peanut Drops
For those seeking a harmonious union of crunch and sweetness, Jamaican Peanut Drops beckons with its irresistible allure. Indulge in the captivating dance of caramelized sugar and roasted peanuts as they combine to create a delectable bite-sized treat.
With each munch, relish the burst of flavors and textures that Peanut Drops offer. Let the delightful contrast between the brittle caramelized sugar and the nutty richness of the peanuts awaken your taste buds. Succumb to the irresistible allure of this street food delicacy, and allow it to transport you to the vibrant culinary scene of Jamaica.
Allow yourself to be swept away by the vibrant culinary heritage and the irresistible allure of the Caribbean. With every bite, you’ll embark on a sensory adventure that transcends borders and brings you closer to the heart of Jamaican cuisine. So, immerse yourself in this culinary voyage, and let the enchantment of Jamaican desserts awaken your senses to a world of pure indulgence.
