Try this creamy, cheesy Nilupak! It's easy to make with only four ingredients and delicious as a snack or dessert.
I bought a few pounds of fresh cassava last weekend, half of which I made into ginataan and the remaining half into this nilupak. I first published the recipe in December 2013 and I am updating it today with new photos and a better method.
What is Nilupak
Nilupak is a Filipino delicacy made from boiled cassava, butter or margarine, and condensed milk or sugar. It's commonly enjoyed as a midday snack or after-meal dessert.
As its name, which means "mashed'' or "pounded," suggests, the cooked cassava is traditionally mashed using a lusong (mortar) until free or lumps and then combined with butter or margarine, and condensed milk or sugar to form a smooth and creamy mixture. It's usually molded in various shapes and served on banana leaves with toppings such as grated coconut or shredded cheese.
While the recipe below uses kamoteng kahoy (balinghoy), different variants also include saba bananas, kamote, gabi, or ube.
Cooking tips
- Cut the peeled cassava in uniform size to ensure even cooking.
- Boil the tubers in salted water to boost flavor.
- I use butter in the recipe, but if you want to add a touch of yellow color, feel free to substitute margarine.
- For an added layer of texture, stir in about 1 cup of grated mature coconut.
How to store
Cover leftovers tightly with plastic film or transfer to a container with a lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More dessert recipes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds cassava, peeled and cut into short lengths
- 1 tablespoon salt
- water
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- ยฝ cup butter (and more for serving), softened
- 1 cup American processed cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Brush sides and bottom of a baking dish with softened butter or margarine and set aside.
- In a pot over medium heat, combine cassava, salt, and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook, uncovered, for about 15 to 20 minutes or until very tender. Drain from liquid and allow to cool.
- Remove the tough, stringy core and discard. With a mortar and pestle or using a potato masher, mash boiled cassava until free of lumps.
- In a bowl, combine mashed cassava (about 4 cups), condensed milk, and butter. Gently stir until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer mixture into the prepared baking dish and use a spatula to evenly spread. Run the tines of a fork on the surface to make decorative lines, if desired.
- Spread softened butter on top, if desired. Sprinkle top with shredded cheese and cut into servings.
Notes
- You can shape the nilusak using molds such as ramekins or llaneras.
- The mixture is traditionally passed through a grinder to form thin log strips; you can mimic this by transferring the cassava mixture into a disposable piping bag fitted with a round tip and piping it in thin long strips.
Video
Nutrition Information
โThis website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.โ
Evelyn says
It looks so good
Lalaine Manalo says
It's delicious ๐
Elizabeth obrador says
Thank you for your lovely recipe. I think I can do it.
Lhiza
Lalaine Manalo says
You're welcome. I'm sure you can do it ๐
Liz says
Hi Lalaine! I made this over the weekend and sobrang sarap!!! Ang hirap lang mag mash using mortar and pestle hehe. I tried with the potato masher but did not get the desired texture. My hubby suggested maybe use a stand mixer next time. For sure there will be a next time! Thanks for the fabulous recipe!!! Walang sinabi ang nilupak na nabibili sa mga Filipino stores dito hehe. Those are so bland and expensive pa.
Lalaine Manalo says
Hi Liz! I'm glad you liked the recipe. Yes, it's hard to mash it but it's oh, so worth it! ๐
Barbara Mccoggle says
Where can you
lorna g. castro says
thank you for sharing your recipe, i hope i can make it soon here in dubai, uae.God bless
Lalaine Manalo says
You're welcome! Happy cooking and enjoy the recipe ๐
ROSE PATERNOSTER says
I am going try making it when I can all ingredients together . Thank you for sharing.
Lalaine Manalo says
You're very welcome, Rose!
Lalaine Manalo says
Enjoy ๐
Karen says
Hi Lalaine! As you know, here in the US, grated cassava is sold frozen in small bags. How does it change the procedure if this is what I'd like to use?
Lalaine Manalo says
Hi, Karen,
I always use whole cassava and have never tried frozen grated one for nilupak. I suggest, thaw the grated cassava, drain well, place in a baking pan, and steam until cooked. Mash and add the rest of the ingredients. Hope this works ๐
Jaina says
Hi Ms. Lalaine.. Can I ask a question?
Lalaine says
Of course you can ๐
Angel says
What American processed cheese did you use for the
Nilupak..it looks white in color bit most of the American cheese
I find are orange or yellow in color
Lalaine Manalo says
I used a Filipino-brand called Eden which I buy from Asian supermarkets, but you can also find white American processed cheese in blocks at the deli area of most major supermarkets. If it's yellow, it's not a problem, too. ๐
Venus says
Finally! Ito yung lasa ng nilupak na hinahanap ko. I tried other recipes and they're ok but THIS is the bestEST! Salamat ng marami!!!
P.S. I enjoy your blog and your other recipes. Keep doing what you're doing. All the best!
Lalaine Manalo says
Thank you so much, Venus. I am glad you find the recipes useful ๐
Tanya says
Hi Lalaine! I'm ilonggo and this is an ilonggo delicacy. My mom would make this when I was a kid...except she would also mix nilagang saging (boiled cooking banana or "Tundal" in ilonggo), and mash it with the cassava. More cassava to banana ratio. Also, instead of using mature grated coconut, she used strings of young coconut. Big difference in taste! Loved it! Thank you for sharing this!
Lalaine says
Hi Tanya
Thanks for sharing your mom's recipe. I can't wait to try it, sounds amazing!
Peachy says
Will the grated coconut be mixed with mashed cassava?
May says
Hi Lalaine. im just wondering where did the grated coconut go? it is listed ik the ingredents but you didnt put in its use in the instructions.
Jhuls says
Hi, Lalaine. I have not tried making Nilupak and this looks delicious! I would like to know if I can use butter instead of margarine? And if using margarine, is Star Margarine fine? ๐ Thanks a lot.
shobelyn says
This look really delicious. I remember eating this in the Philippines and I loved it, but I did not know how to make it. Thanks for the recipe.
Lalaine says
Hello Shobelyn
It was here already in the US I discovered and had my first taste of Nilupak. Funny, I never had it in the Philippines. It is really very simple to make, hope you enjoy it.
Helen says
Hi maam! i enjoy doing your recipes. i like it more because it has nutrition facts. i have to ask though.i is the calorie indicated per serving or is it for the entire course? thankyou
Lalaine Manalo says
The nutritional information is per serving ๐
NETH MUENA says
Thank you and good luck to the group.Merry x mas and Happy new year to one and all....best regards.
Lalaine says
Hello Neth
Happy holidays to you as well ๐
Rudy Correa says
Yo sรฉ por experiencia que la cocina Filipina es excelente y familiar a la Espaรฑola...saludes.
Rudy Correa says
Yo sรฉ por experiencia que la cocina Filipina es formidable y similar a la Espaรฑola...felicidades
Lalaine Manalo says
Hello! I don't speak Spanish but I googled some of the words. Thank you! Gracias.