Traditional Vietnamese Steamed Cassava Cake with Banana (Bánh Sắn Bọc Chuối)

Experience a classic Vietnamese dessert with our easy-to-follow recipe for Bánh Sắn Bọc Chuối Hấp. This delightful steamed cake features a naturally sweet and chewy cassava dough wrapped around a soft, ripe banana filling. It's a comforting, rustic treat that brings a taste of traditional Vietnamese countryside to your home.

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Ingredients for Authentic Bánh Sắn Bọc Chuối Hấp

For the Cassava Dough

• 400g (approx. 1 lb) Fresh Cassava
• 60g (approx. ¼ cup) Granulated Sugar
• A pinch of Salt
• 5ml (1 tsp) Vanilla Extract
• Green & Red Food Coloring (optional, for vibrant colors)

For the Filling & Garnish

• 2-3 Ripe Short Bananas (Chuối sứ, or any small, firm ripe banana)
• Shredded Coconut (Vụn dừa)
• Fresh Banana Leaves (Lá chuối, for wrapping)

Instructions for Making Bánh Sắn Bọc Chuối Hấp

Step 1: Prepare the Cassava

Peel and Grate: Peel the fresh cassava, wash it thoroughly, then grate it finely into a bowl.

Season the Dough: Add the sugar, salt, and vanilla extract to the grated cassava. Mix everything well until the sugar dissolves.

Add Color: Divide the cassava mixture into two equal bowls. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one bowl and green food coloring to the other. Mix until the colors are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Prepare the Bananas and Leaves

Peel Bananas: Peel the ripe short bananas, leaving them whole.

Prepare Banana Leaves: Clean and soften the banana leaves by passing them over a low flame or steaming them for a few seconds. This makes them pliable and prevents tearing.

Step 3: Assemble the Cakes

Arrange the Dough: Lay a piece of banana leaf on a flat surface. Take a portion of the colored cassava dough (e.g., the red one) and spread it into a small rectangular shape on the leaf. Next, spread a portion of the green cassava dough right next to it, creating a colorful sheet.

Add Filling: Place one of the peeled bananas in the center of the colored dough.

Wrap Tightly: Carefully roll the banana leaf, tightly wrapping the cassava dough around the banana. Secure the ends of the leaf with kitchen twine or toothpicks.

Step 4: Steam to Perfection

Steam the Cakes: Place the wrapped cakes in a steamer basket.

Cook: Steam for approximately 40 minutes, or until the cassava dough becomes translucent and soft.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Cool: Carefully remove the steamed cakes from the steamer and let them cool slightly.

Serve: Unwrap the banana leaf, slice the cake into bite-sized pieces, and roll them in fresh shredded coconut.

Enjoy your traditional, fragrant Bánh Sắn Bọc Chuối Hấp!