How to Make Belizean Sweet Potato Pound

If travel is a bit out of your grasp but you want a delicious taste of Belize, the next best thing is to make something iconic to that Central American country. Provided below is a recipe for Sweet Potato Pound, also known as “Pone.” This is a dessert that is loaded with flavor and sweetness while possessing a texture akin to bread pudding but you are saturating sweet potatoes with everything instead of stale bread.

Ingredients

• Sweet potatoes, 3 lbs
• Butter, 1/4 cup
• Sugar, 1.25 lbs
• Milk, coconut, 28 ounces
• Milk, evaporated, 14 ounces
• Vanilla, 1 tbsp
• Raisins, 1/4 cup
• Ginger, grated, 2 tbsp

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Grate your sweet potatoes, taking care not to cut your knuckles in the process.
3. Add sugar and coconut milk into a bowl, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves. Add the evaporated milk, butter, vanilla and raisins to the sugar-coconut milk.
4. Stir everything until you have a proper mixture and pour it into a 9" x 11" baking pan.
5. Transfer to the oven and bake for 45–60 minutes.

While the above recipe is a traditional pone recipe, we acknowledge that some people have dietary concerns. Provided below is an alternative recipe that is suitable for anyone trying to remain vegan or abstain from grains.

Ingredients

• Sweet potato, 6 cups, grated
• Raisins, 3/4 cup
• Sugar, cane, 1.5 cups
• Ginger, 1/2 tsp
• Cinnamon, 1 tsp
• Milk, almond, 3 cups
• Vanilla, 2 tsp
• Oil or vegan butter, 2 tbsp plus 1 tsp

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F and grease a 9" ×13" rectangular baking dish.
2. Mix sweet potatoes, raisins, ginger, cinnamon, cane sugar and vanilla into a large bowl.
3. Add milk and the butter or oil to the same bowl, stirring until everything is fully incorporated. Pour this mixture into your dish.
4. Bake on the bottom rack for 30 minutes, then lower the heat to 350°F. Transfer the dish to your top shelf and bake for one hour or until the top turns golden brown.

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