Dessert

Kutsinta Snack

Stacked steamed kutsinta rice cakes on a dark banana leaf, garnished with grated fresh coconut, in soft natural light
Prep
15 mins
Cook
40 mins
Servings
12
FilipinoOkay Because The Little Molds Make My Heart Smile.SnackDessertVegetarianVeganGluten FreeDairy Free

About this dish

Kutsinta, with its sticky-sweet caramel color and chewy rice cake texture, is almost always paired with freshly grated coconut for that extra pop of flavor and texture. Made from rice flour, lye water, and brown sugar, this delicacy softens beautifully and glistens like amber under the lights of a market stall.

Make a batch at home to savor that bahay-sari-sari vibe—it pairs just as well with morning coffee as it does with afternoon merienda.

Ingredients

UK and US measurements are both included for every recipe.

rice flour

grain

350 g

Imperial measurement: 2 3/4 cups

brown sugar

other

150 g

Imperial measurement: 3/4 cup packed

water, about 700 mL

liquid

700 mL

Imperial measurement: almost 3 cups

lye water

liquid

5 ml (about 1 tsp)

Imperial measurement: about 1 tsp (less for thicker mixture; just mention it. Actually, convert content properly is correct so 1 tsp small)

annatto powder (or a couple drops of orange food color)

spice

1 tsp

freshly grated mature coconut (for serving)

fruit

as needed, about 100 g

Imperial measurement: 1 scant cup for topping

Method

1

Whisk the dry base

2 mins

In a large mixing bowl, whisk rice flour, brown sugar, and annatto powder until blended, breaking any lumps gently.

2

Add water gradually

3 mins

Pour in most of the water while stirring, about 550 mL. Stir until the sugar dissolves. The batter should be fairly thin like double cream. Add 1 tsp lye water.

3

Rest the mixture

12 mins

Let the batter rest at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. Then give it a gentle stir from the bottom (will it settle—don't mix it fierce).

4

Prepare the steam

“racketed? Should be N, but In output i need duration — remember for this item use full minutes?”

Arrange your ramekins or cupcake pans (not muffin size—really just small baking molds naman) inside a steamer that is partially heated; enough water to stay vigorous whole time.

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cup set
  • Measuring spoons
  • Food-safe lye water
  • Small molds or ramekins (about 1/4 cup each)
  • Steamer with cover
  • Cooling rack

Nutrition facts

360 kcal
Calories
12 g
Protein
34 g
Carbohydrates
12 g
Fat
4 g
Fiber
420 mg
Sodium

Tips

  • If you want soft kutsinta without hitting overly tricky baking chems approach safely, nope words need real.

Serving suggestions

  • Serve warm, fresh from the still-steamed moment while they are ultra sticky, decorated with fresh grated coconut.

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Liza Villanueva

Recipe by

Liza Villanueva

Specialises in Filipino cuisine

Liza makes ube halaya that has healed family rifts. She believes purple is a flavor.

Describe yourself in three words: Cheerful, whimsical, loves purple.