Monday’s Bread Bowl: Latiya

Chamorro custard cake

This is a Guam favorite that’s sure to please anybody with a sweet tooth. A light but creamy yellow custard is poured a top a rich and yellow butter cake. Then it’s flavored and decorated with ground cinnamon before serving cold or at room temperature. Here’s the recipe:

What you will need:

1 wooden spoon
1 wire whisk
1 medium-sized sauce pan
1 can (or 12 oz) evaporated milk
1 2/3 Cup water
¼ Cup cornstarch
5 tablespoons sugar
Plastic wrap
1 large platter or serving tray
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons butter
2 whole eggs, beaten
ground cinnamon
yellow cake (or store-bought pound cake)

Cooking and Directions:


Slice yellow cake or store-bought pound cake into ¼ inch thick by 3 inch pieces. Arrange slices on to platter so that rectangular pieces overlap and slices have straight cracks between them. Completely cover platter with cakes slices and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside.
Place sauce pan on medium heat. Pour in 1 1/3 cups water and bring to a slow boil. Add evaporated milk and sugar while stirring. Mix remaining water with cornstarch and vanilla extract. Gradually pour in cornstarch mixture while continuing to stir with wooden spoon or whisk. Be careful not to burn the custard.