Guyanese Vamazelli cake is a creamy, sweet dessert perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or treating friends on special occasions, treat them to this rich and flavorful cake after a hearty meal.
You’ll only need simple ingredients, including vermicelli noodles, different kinds of milk, butter, and dried fruits.
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
Vamazelli cake, like vamazelli dishes, consists of flavors of the West Indies. These dishes are mostly eaten during Eidul Fitr, Eidual Adha, or festive holidays.
If you’re keen on kitchen adventures and learning new recipes, below is how to make a traditional Guyanese Vamazelli cake.
People Also Read: Recipe: The Ultimate Cayman Islands Coconut Cream Pie Baking Guide
How to Make Vamazelli Cake
Ingredients
- 8 cloves
- 3 cups water
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup soaked raisins
- 1 can condensed milk
- ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
- 3 cans of evaporated milk
- 1 tsp. mixed essence (Optional)
- ½ cup chopped maraschino cherries
- 1 tbsp. freshly ground cardamom pods/ elychee
- 2 packs Chief roasted sawine/vermicelli noodles, 14 oz
Instructions
- In a non-stick pot, heat water, add the cloves and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil.
- In a separate medium saucepan on medium heat, add the butter. Check the pot of boiling water and put the fire off. Allow the cloves and cinnamon sticks to settle.
- Roast the vermicelli noodles in the melted butter for about 5 minutes since they’re already toasted. Add the hot water to the noodles.
- Gentle stir, cover the pot, and allow the noodles to cook halfway for about 5 minutes until the water dries up.
- Layer the whole milk and evaporated milk into the pot. It’s best to layer or pour the milk bit by bit so it doesn’t stick to the bottom. Add the freshly ground nutmeg and cardamom. Add a little water, about 3 tablespoons.
- Mix the Vamazelli and allow it to simmer to thicken. This should take about 10-12 minutes.
- Then layer the condensed milk on the Vamazelli on medium-low heat. Gently mix to achieve consistency.
- Add the chopped maraschino cherries and dried raisins. You would want to soak the dates in water for 3-4 minutes before adding them so they don’t become mushy in the vamazelli.
- Stir the mixture and adjust any ingredients you want to add.
- Turn off the heat and transfer the vamazelli into a ceramic tray, glass bowl, or pan. Spread it out with a wooden spoon and ensure it’s evenly layered.
- Allow it to sit and cool. Use a small knife to cut evenly into the creamy vamazelli, then serve.
Tips for Preparing Creamy Guyanese Vamazelli
- Depending on your level of sweetness, add more or less condensed milk to the vamazelli or vermicelli cake.
- You can use similar noodles if you don’t have vermicelli noodles; however, ensure to toast them to your desired color.
- Strain the hot water before adding it to the toasted noodles to prevent guests from biting into the cloves. A ¼ tsp ground clove is the best choice to avoid anyone biting into whole cloves. You can also use other spices of your choice.
- You can use one type of milk; however, always layer the milk into the pot so it doesn’t settle in the middle of the pot and prevent the noodles from cooking.
- Brown sugar is an option if you want to make your Vamazelli sweet. A teaspoon is enough. However, once you add condensed milk, there’s no need to add additional sugar.
- Adding golden raisins is optional, although it adds flavor to the dessert.
- For the best flavor, put the vamazelli in the refrigerator overnight after it cools. This process makes it dryer and easier to cut.
- If you’re wondering what other ingredients to add, use 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1 tsp almond essence.
People Also Read: Recipe: Experience the Spicy Taste of Cuban Shrimp Creole
Video credit: Matthew’s Guyanese Cooking
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
Through his channel, Matthew shares all of the delectable Guyanese dishes he grew up eating and the multicultural recipes he learned over the years with the world.
Creamy Guyanese Vamazelli Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 cloves
- 3 cups water
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup soaked raisins
- 1 can condensed milk
- ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
- 3 cans of evaporated milk
- 1 tsp. mixed essence Optional
- ½ cup chopped maraschino cherries
- 1 tbsp. freshly ground cardamom pods/ elychee
- 2 packs Chief roasted sawine/vermicelli noodles 14 oz
Instructions
- In a non-stick pot, heat water, add the cloves and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil.
- In a separate medium saucepan on medium heat, add the butter. Check the pot of boiling water and put the fire off. Allow the cloves and cinnamon sticks to settle.
- Roast the vermicelli noodles in the melted butter for about 5 minutes since they’re already toasted. Add the hot water to the noodles.
- Gentle stir, cover the pot, and allow the noodles to cook halfway for about 5 minutes until the water dries up.
- Layer the whole milk and evaporated milk into the pot. It’s best to layer or pour the milk bit by bit so it doesn’t stick to the bottom. Add the freshly ground nutmeg and cardamom. Add a little water, about 3 tablespoons.
- Mix the Vamazelli and allow it to simmer to thicken. This should take about 10-12 minutes.
- Then layer the condensed milk on the Vamazelli on medium-low heat. Gently mix to achieve consistency.
- Add the chopped maraschino cherries and dried raisins. You would want to soak the dates in water for 3-4 minutes before adding them so they don’t become mushy in the vamazelli.
- Stir the mixture and adjust any ingredients you want to add.
- Turn off the heat and transfer the vamazelli into a ceramic tray, glass bowl, or pan. Spread it out with a wooden spoon and ensure it’s evenly layered.
- Allow it to sit and cool. Use a small knife to cut evenly into the creamy vamazelli, then serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nearly 80% of consumers visit directories with reviews to find a local business. List your business for free in our exclusive Spotcovery Black-Owned Business Directory.
Spotcovery offers unique and fresh daily content on Black culture, lifestyle, and experiences. We talk about everything black, black people, black-owned and black-owned businesses. We also deliver authentic and relevant content that will inform, inspire, and empower you! The future of black media is critical to today’s black experience! Our primary audience includes African Americans, Africans, Afro-Caribbean, and people of African heritage. Black culture is for the culture!
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
