Cuban Boniatillos: Dry on the Outside and Sticky-Sweet on the Inside.

Cuban Boniatillo: Grandma’s Delicious Sweet Treat

Boniatillo is one of the most endearing desserts in Cuban cuisine. Its dry texture on the outside and sticky-sweet interior, combined with its delicious flavor, make it a true Creole gastronomic jewel. Below, we show you how to prepare it step by step.

🍠 Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mashed sweet potato
  • 2 cups refined white sugar
  • Lemon or orange peel (to taste)
  • 1 small cinnamon stick or star anise (to taste)
  • Powdered sugar for garnish
  • Vegetable oil (to grease the tray)

 

 

👩‍🍳 Preparing the Purée:

Select 2 to 3 medium sweet potatoes, peel them, and cut them into small cubes. Cook them in water until very soft. Then drain and mash them until you obtain a smooth, uniform purée. Measure out 2 cups of the resulting purée.

🔥 Making the Boniatillo:

In a cast-iron pot, place the purée together with the sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously in a diagonal motion to prevent it from sticking and burning. During this process, add the chosen citrus peel and the cinnamon or anise. Continue stirring until the mixture completely pulls away from the bottom of the pot.

Turn off the heat and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Grease a flat tray with a little oil and, using a spoon, form small mounds spaced apart. Sprinkle the surface with powdered sugar. Once cooled, if you want a more refined presentation, you can place each portion in paper dessert cups.

ℹ️ Additional Information:

  • Yield: Approximately 20 pieces
  • Total time: 30 min (boiling) + 5 min (mashing) + 40 min (cooking) + 10 min (finishing)
  • Category: Desserts
  • Cuisine: Cuban 

💡 Tip:

This simple yet delicious sweet will be a favorite among both adults and children at home, and a special treat that your guests will thank you for time and again.

Did you try this recipe? Tell us in the comments how it turned out or if you added your own personal touch. We’d love to hear from you!

🏷️ Tags: sweet potato, Cuban sweets, traditional desserts, Cuban cuisine, boniatillo, Creole recipes, homemade dessert

For the Spanish version, visit: Boniatillo Cubano: Una Verdadera Delicia de la Abuela.