Soft and Fluffy Rice Puto (Steamed Rice Cake) - Foxy Folksy (2024)

BY :Bebs | Published: | Updated: | 9 Comments

RECIPE VIDEO PRINT

5 from 7 votes

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These classic Filipino steamed rice cakes, 'puto', are perfect with a hot cup of coffee for a delightful filling snack or breakfast.

Soft and Fluffy Rice Puto (Steamed Rice Cake) - Foxy Folksy (1)
  • What is Filipino Puto?
  • Ingredients needed for this Rice Puto Recipe
  • Secret to fluffy soft Puto
  • Tips in cooking this Puto Recipe
  • Recipe Video
  • FAQs
  • Printable Recipe
  • Puto Recipe
  • Similar Recipes

What is Filipino Puto?

Puto or sometimes called Putong Bigas is a traditional Filipino steamed rice cake made from galapong or rice dough. Also referred to as putong puti (white puto) because of its stark white color, it is one of the most popular types of puto in the Philippines.

This puto recipe is so simple to make with just a few ingredients and easy-to-follow steps. The traditional way of making puto involves using slightly fermented rice done by soaking it overnight. The rice is then ground using stone mills with some water and sugar to make the batter known as galapong. But nowadays, making puto is much simpler as rice flour is easily accessible.

Puto is a popular accompaniment for savory dishes like Dinuguan (pork blood stew) or pancit (rice noodles), as it gives a slightly sweet flavor that compliments the said dishes. You can also enjoy these soft, fluffy, and delicious steamed rice cakes as an all-day snack with a cup of hot coffee or chocolate or even as a dessert!

Ingredients needed for this Rice Puto Recipe

Rice Flour - if rice flour is unavailable, you can make your own galapong by soaking rice overnight in water and then making it into a batter using a blender. You may also use all-purpose flour or cake flour, but note that the taste and texture will be different.

White Granulated Sugar. You may also use caster sugar if preferred.

Baking Powder & Instant Yeast - these are used as leavening agents. The yeast will give you that fermented rice flavor without the long waiting time.

Coconut Milk - you may use whole milk as an alternative if coconut milk is unavailable.

Hot water helps in dissolving the dry ingredients faster.

Oil aids in making the steamed rice cakes stay moist.

Anise seeds are optional but I recommend trying it as they lend a sweet and licorice flavor.

Soft and Fluffy Rice Puto (Steamed Rice Cake) - Foxy Folksy (2)

Secret to fluffy soft Puto

Never skip the resting time. I made it several times and believe me, letting it rest for a few minutes makes a whole lot of difference. This is very important if you want to have that pillowy soft puto. You will only need to rest it for 20 minutes or up to 30 minutes. You will notice that the batter will get foamy and thick at the 20-minute mark. At 30 minutes, it becomes more bubbly and more volume.

I recommend resting the batter after pouring it on the molds so you won't disrupt the rising process by transferring it later, resulting in deflated or flatter rice cakes.

Don't forget to use lukewarm liquid to activate the yeast.

Tips in cooking this Puto Recipe

  • Make sure the steamer water is boiling before placing the prepared puto molds in the steamer basket.
  • To avoid condensation water from dripping onto the steamed rice cakes, cover the steamer lid with a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth.
  • If you want a cracked top on your puto, cook under medium-high heat. For an even and smooth top, cook over low heat. You may have to adjust the cooking time though.
  • You may use silicone molds for easy release of the puto.
  • Avoid opening the steamer lid until the cooking time is done. To check the doneness of the rice cake, insert a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean, the steamed cake is done.
Soft and Fluffy Rice Puto (Steamed Rice Cake) - Foxy Folksy (3)

Recipe Video

To Serve & Store

Serve Putong Puti with a hot cup of chocolate or coffee for a delicious midday snack or breakfast. Make it a complementary side for Dinuguan, Pancit, or Sopas.

Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheat in the steamer for about 3 to 5 minutes until softened or pop in the microwave for a few seconds.

Soft and Fluffy Rice Puto (Steamed Rice Cake) - Foxy Folksy (4)

FAQs

Why is my puto not fluffy?

You may have overmixed the batter making the air bubbles that make the puto fluffy disappear. Another reason may be the baking powder or instant yeast that you used.

Why is my puto soggy?

Water droplets from the steam will make the puto soggy. Make sure to line or cover the steamer lid with a cloth or kitchen towel.

Soft and Fluffy Rice Puto (Steamed Rice Cake) - Foxy Folksy (5)

Make this puto recipe now and let us know how it turns out!

Printable Recipe

Soft and Fluffy Rice Puto (Steamed Rice Cake) - Foxy Folksy (6)

Print Review

Puto Recipe

5 from 7 votes

Learn how to make the classic Filipino steamed rice cake or Puto using simple ingredients and know the secret to make sure they come out fluffy and airy but moist.

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Resting Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Course :Breakfast, Snack

Servings =12

Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups rice flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 teaspoon anise seeds and a bit more for topping (optional)

Instructions

  • 2 cups rice flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¾ cup white sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons instant yeast

    Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

  • 1 cup coconut milk, 1 cup hot water

    Mix coconut milk and hot water to make it lukewarm. You can also combine both and heat to lukewarm. Add this to the dry ingredients.

  • 1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon anise seeds and a bit more for topping

    Add oil and anise seeds, if using, and mix, using a spatula or whisk, until completely blended. The texture will be a bit runny at this point.

  • Let it rest for 10 minutes and then gently mix several times, you will notice that the texture becomes thicker.

  • Transfer the mixture to the molds or pan and let it rest for another 20 minutes.

  • 5 minutes before the batter is ready, prepare the steamer. Fill the bottom pot with enough water and bring to boil. If you desire to have the cracked top, use medium heat, Lower the temperature to low to bring the water to a gentle simmer to get a smooth top .

  • Place the mold in the steamer basket and cover with the lid, lined with cloth. Steam for 15-20 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

  • Remove the mold from heat and let it cool down a bit before unmolding.

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 55mgPotassium: 156mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 1mg

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    What do you think?

  1. Sho says

    Soft and Fluffy Rice Puto (Steamed Rice Cake) - Foxy Folksy (25)
    Hi! Is it possible to make it to a pandan version? What's the best way?

    Reply

  2. MF says

    Soft and Fluffy Rice Puto (Steamed Rice Cake) - Foxy Folksy (26)
    Tried recipe for the first time … Patok 🤩
    So delicious and easy to do … love the coconut milk flavor in it 👍🏽

    Reply

  3. Judy says

    This looks tasty. What could you substitute for the coconut milk and still get a fluffy puto? We have a coconut allergy. Salamat!

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      Hi Judy, you can use water instead but it will not be as flavorful. Try using milk or other alternatives like almond milk.

      Reply

  4. Kimmy says

    Soft and Fluffy Rice Puto (Steamed Rice Cake) - Foxy Folksy (27)
    I've made this several times already. I don't add the oil anymore and waited 30 minutes before steaming it on high heat. Reminded me of fun memories growing up. Now, my two daughters can eat this delicious Filipino delicacy without going to the Filipino bakery. They both love it! Thank you for sharing this recipe.

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      Yes, I know this feeling too well, Kimmy! Same when I was in Germany and craving Filipino food and delicacies. Happy that your girls like it too.

      Reply

    • Bebs says

      I am happy your girls love them, and I am sure they will now have their own fun memories of Filipino delicacies because of you.🙂

      Reply

  5. leah says

    Thank you for this recipe. I've been looking for a puto lasun recipe for a long time. If I want to steam this in a cake pan, do I have to steam longer?

    Reply

  6. Maya says

    This is same as "vatayappam" of kerala, south India
    Thanks for the recipe

    Reply

Soft and Fluffy Rice Puto (Steamed Rice Cake) - Foxy Folksy (2024)

FAQs

Which of the following steamed rice cake that is soft and fluffy made from rice flour? ›

Puto made of rice flour and coconut milk are soft, fluffy, and tasty! These Filipino steamed rice cakes are delicious on their own or paired with savory dishes such as pancit and dinuguan.

Why is Filipino rice cake called puto? ›

The word puto is derived from the Malay word puttu, which literally means “portioned.” The regional variants of the steamed cake take their names from either their appearance or their most notable feature.

What is puto in English food? ›

Puto is a Filipino steamed rice cake, traditionally made from slightly fermented rice dough (galapong).

Should puto be refrigerated? ›

It's best to serve and eat puto immediately after making to enjoy the airy and fluffy texture, but you can also store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Puto can be very moist so I would not recommend keeping it on the counter for more than one day. You can fridge it for a few days to get the best freshness.

What is the best rice for fluffy rice? ›

Long grain rice tends to cook up light, fluffy and separate when cooked rather than clumping together. Medium grain rice tends to cook up moist and tender while short grain rice tends to clump together when cooked and forms what is called glutinous rice.

What kind of rice are rice cakes made of? ›

These snacks are made from puffed rice pressed together to form a circular cake. While it's a simple snack, there's more to know about the health effects of rice cakes.

What is Philippines rice cake called? ›

In Filipino, these rice-based desserts are also known as kakanin, which means "prepared rice." It is derived from the word kanin which is the Filipino word for rice. Rice cakes were also formerly known by the general term tinapay ( lit.

What is the difference between Puto Maya and Biko? ›

Puto maya is characteristically al dente, compared to the mushier texture of biko. Biko can also be prepared with other common Filipino ingredients.

What is the difference between puto and Bibingka? ›

'Puto' is a fermented steamed rice cake produced in the Philippines. 'Bibingka' is another Philippine rice cake made from wet-milled rice flour combined with sugar and coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves with charcoal placed on top, and baked until brown.

What does punta mean? ›

The word punta is a Latinization of an ancient West African rhythm called bunda, or "buttocks" in the Mandé language. Another possibility refers to punta in the Spanish meaning "from point to point", referring to the tips of one's toes or to the movement from place to place.

What does joto mean in Mexican slang? ›

Mexico) effeminate person ⧫ queer (very informal, offensive) ⧫ fa*g (esp US) (very informal, offensive)

What is kakanin in the Philippines? ›

Kakanin, or sticky rice cake, is a favorite delicacy that we Filipinos love to snack on and enjoy during special occasions. More so, it has become a tradition for some families to indulge in it during Holy Week.

Is it okay to microwave puto? ›

You can re-heat the puto from the fridge in order to soften it by either microwaving it for about 10-15 seconds or steaming for 3-5 minutes. If you loved this recipe, check out these other classic Filipino dishes: Taho (Filipino Tofu Dessert)

What to eat with puto? ›

One way is to eat it plain, as it is traditionally served. Another popular way is to eat it with grated coconut on top, which adds a sweet and nutty flavor. Some people also enjoy eating puto with butter or margarine spread on top, giving it a creamy and rich taste.

What will happen if puto is overcooked? ›

Because you're steaming them, it's harder to overcook puto but don't leave them in there too long or they'll be tough. Puto doesn't have a long shelf life so they're best eaten the day they're made.

How do you make rice cakes softer? ›

“The drier, not-so-fresh rice cakes, you're going to have to boil it for a good maybe five, 10 minutes before they soften up.”

What are steamed rice cakes made of? ›

Spongy, soft, and bouncy – words that I would describe Chinese steamed rice cake. It is a dim sum favorite that is slightly sweet and moist. Relive your childhood memories in Chinatown by making this sponge cake with only 4 ingredients: rice flour, sugar, water, and yeast.

What is an example of a rice cake? ›

Several specialty rice cakes including 'puto,' 'bibingka,' and 'nenkau' are created from wet-milled brokens and are typically steamed. 'Puto' is a fermented steamed rice cake produced in the Philippines.

References

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