Kutsinta Recipe (Kutchinta) - Today's Delight (2024)

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Kutsinta or kutchinta is a round, sticky brown rice cake, a popular Filipino snack made with a few ingredients and topped with grated coconut. Kutsinta is a kakanin usually sold by street vendors.

There are a few versions of Kutsinta recipe but the common ingredient is lye water to give it a chewy texture.

Kutsinta Recipe (Kutchinta) - Today's Delight (1)

I stored the kutsinta in a well sealed container for 3 days in the fridge and it came out not hard and still chewy.

Just make sure the lye water measurement is 2 teaspoons.

You may grate coconut in advance and place it in the freezer. When ready to use, leave it for a few minutes in room temperature to thaw.

Kutsinta Recipe (Kutchinta) - Today's Delight (2)

Tips in Making Kutsinta

1. After mixing all the ingredients run it through a sieve for a smooth consistency.

2. Lightly brush each mold with vegetable oil before pouring mixture.

3. Pour mixture in mold to about ¾'s full.

4. Cover steamer lid with cheese cloth or kitchen towel to absorb dripping droplets of water. You don't want water dripping in the mold.

5. When done, set it aside to fully cool.

6. Use a pointed spatula to loosen the edges. It should be completely cool, easy to remove from mold plus you get a rounder kutsinta.

7. Serve with grated coconut. Prepare grated coconut in advance, if you like.

How to Make Kutsinta

Watch my video “How to make Kutsinta”. You’ll be amaze it is easy to make and in no time you are ready to devour this delicious kakanin.

Satisfy your craving with this kutsinta recipe today! Magluto na tayo.

Kutsinta Recipe

Recipe

Kutsinta Recipe (Kutchinta) - Today's Delight (3)

Kutsinta Recipe (Kutchinta)

Kutsinta is a popular Filipino snack made with glutinous rice flour, lye water and other ingredients topped with grated coconut.

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Snack

Cuisine: Filipino

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 3 people

Calories: 371kcal

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup glutinous rice flour
  • ¾ cup all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons lye water
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • cup water
  • 1 teaspoon powdered achiote dissolved in 2 teaspoon of water, take the water from the 1 ½ cup water this recipe calls for or use 2 teaspoons of annatto seeds dissolved in 2 tablespoons of water
  • vegetable oil to coat mold
  • grated coconut for topping

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a bowl, put all the dry ingredients. The all-purpose flour, glutinous rice flour and brown sugar. Mix well.

  • Add ½ cup of water at a time to the mixture. Mix every time you add water until mixture is thoroughly dissolved and smooth.

  • Add lye water and the achiote mixture. (Note: Take the water to dissolve the achiote from the 1 ½ cup this recipe calls for.)

  • Get another bowl and pour mixture through a strainer to get rid of lumps for a smoother consistency.

  • Add 8 cups of water in the steamer. Bring to a boil.

  • Brush each mold lightly with vegetable oil and pour mixture to about ¾ full on each mold.

  • Steam for 45 minutes or poke one or two of the kutsinta with a toothpick. If toothpick comes out clean then it is cook already. Remove from heat and let it cool down before removing from the mold.

  • Use a pointed spatula to loosen it from the mold and transfer to a plate. Sprinkle the top of each kutsinta with grated fresh coconut.

  • The mold I used was almost 3 inches wide x 1 inch height and came up with 14 kutsinta. If your mold is smaller you’ll end up with more servings.

Notes

1. Wait till it cools down before using a pointed spatula to get it out of the mold. It is easier to remove it plus you get a rounder shaped kutsinta.

2. You may substitute the glutinous rice flour with tapioca starch using the same measurement.

3. Wrap the steamer lid with cheese cloth so water doesn't drip on the kutsinta making it mushy.

4. I had it in the fridge for 3 days and it was still soft to touch and chewy. But longer than 3 days I’m not really sure if texture will harden.

5. I used frozen grated coconut.

Nutrition

Serving: 4pieces | Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 4g | Sodium: 22mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 53g | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1.8mg

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Myra C

    Kutsinta Recipe (Kutchinta) - Today's Delight (8)
    Recipe was easy to follow. The hints really helped. They turned out perfect!

    Reply

  2. Marie J.

    Kutsinta Recipe (Kutchinta) - Today's Delight (9)
    Easy and tasty! I thought it was hard to make kutsinta. Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply

    • Fortune

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  3. Vivian Dulkiewicz

    Kutsinta Recipe (Kutchinta) - Today's Delight (10)
    It was a perfect kutchinta I made with your recipe a few weeks ago and I am making another one now that is why I came back to your recipe. I am using a dessicated coconut, dried one that is used when you make a macaroon. Just have it in a bowl and put water just to make it moist and sugar for the taste. Its a perfect substitute for the fresh grated coconut toping. Best regards.

    Vivian Dulkiewicz

    Reply

    • Fortune

      I'm glad it came out perfect! Enjoy your next batch. In fact, I'm craving it myself. Thank you for leaving a wonderful comment.

      Reply

Kutsinta Recipe (Kutchinta) - Today's Delight (2024)

FAQs

What is the effect of lye water in kutsinta? ›

The addition of lye water gives Kutsinta its distinctively chewy texture, setting it apart from other rice-based desserts. Traditionally served as a merienda (afternoon snack) or as part of a special occasion spread, Kutsinta offers a unique experience with each bite.

What is Kuchinta made of? ›

Puto cuchinta or kutsinta is a type of steamed rice cake (puto) found throughout the Philippines. It is made from a mixture of tapioca or rice flour, brown sugar and lye, enhanced with yellow food coloring or annatto extract, and steamed in small ramekins.

What is the English of kutsinta? ›

kutsinta (a red or yellow steamed rice cake with a chewy, jelly-like consistency, popular in the Philippines)

Why is my kutsinta bitter? ›

Too much lye water or baking soda can also taste bitter. To avoid this, measure the ingredients accurately and follow the recipe instructions closely. Another possible reason for bitterness is overcooking the kutsinta.

What is the best substitute for lye water? ›

Salt crystals or powders that do the same job as lye water include:
  • bicarbonate soda (bicarb)
  • sodium carbonate.
  • sodium bicarbonate.
  • lye salt.
  • uvusaaru.
  • combo.
  • soda ash.
  • magadi soda.

What should I use to mix lye with water? ›

Use appropriate mixing containers

You need to measure your water and lye in two separate containers. Because of that exothermic reaction, we recommend glass, heat-resistant plastic, or stainless steel.

Where did the name kutsinta come from in the Philippines? ›

The kutsinta was thought to have sprung up at the same time as its pasty counterpart, but the origins of its name remain a mystery. It has been theorized, however, that its name might have a connection to an obsolete piece of kitchen equipment responsible for its flattened, saucer-like shape.

Where does black Kutsinta come from? ›

Black Kutsinta is a Filipino rice cake derived from Kutsinta, which has a brown-reddish hue from brown sugar and annatto or achuete. Black Kutsinta is made the same way as my Kutsinta, with tapioca flour, all-purpose flour, and brown sugar.

How many calories are in 1 kutsinta? ›

Lye solution is added to well blended mixture, poured into muffin pans and steamed. One piece of cooked kutsinta weighing about 45 g contains 91 calories, 1.1 g protein and 20 mcg RE. Kalcosuman.

What is kutsinta in Chinese? ›

The word 'Kutsinta' comes from the Chinese word 'Kueh Tsin Tao'. The word 'Kush' in Hokkien language means a little cake or cookie for snack, more often steamed than baked.

How do you reheat kutsinta? ›

Black Kutsinta
  1. PRODUCT HANDLING. Store in cool dry place. Do not expose to direct sunlight. Best consumed within 24 hrs.
  2. REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS. Steam for 5 minutes. Microwave for 30 seconds to a minute.

What is the function of starch in kutsinta? ›

Answer: Starch could be as a thickener, binding agent, emulsifier, clouding agent, or gelling agent. It serves as a thickener in kare kare to make it "malapot" and a binding agent in ukoy and kutchinta.

What is the shelf life of Kutchinta? ›

Black Kutsinta
  1. Soft and chewy rice cake with caramel sauce made into perfection.
  2. Irresistibly good, one bite is not enough! You'll surely love this!
  3. for sharing.
  4. Shelf life: best consumed within 24 hrs; 3-5 days with refrigeration;
  5. Handling: keep away from direct exposure to sunlight/heat.
  6. Allergen: milk.

What is the use of lye water in Kutsinta? ›

Food-grade Lye water is a strong alkaline solution used in various cooking processes, such as curing and baking. It is a key ingredient in making kutsinta or pichi-pichi, as well as Chinese moon cakes, bagels, pretzels, and ramen noodles. It raises the pH level of the dough for a richer color and a springy texture.

What is lye water in Tagalog? ›

What is Lye Water (Lihiya)

What does lye water do? ›

Having a high pH level, lye water creates chemical reactions that produces different flavours and textures. It is often used in Chinese cooking to make a variety of items from noodles and rice to speciality cakes. Usually you won't even know that lye water is being used as only a very small amount is needed.

What happens when water is added to lye? ›

It will cause a toxic, chemical reaction. Lye is extremely caustic and can do severe damage. When water and lye are mixed together this is known as a lye solution. This mixing will also cause an exothermic reaction, this means that heat is given off as a byproduct of the chemical reaction occurring.

What neutralizes lye water? ›

It's true that vinegar can neutralize lye, but it generates heat as a by-product. This is called an exothermic reaction. You see, while lye is a strong alkaline, vinegar is a fairly weak acid.

What is a substitute for lye water in Suman? ›

According to this article, it turns out that baked baking soda will work as a substitute. Baking the baking soda turns it into sodium carbonate, a stronger alkali, which makes it suitable to use in place of lye water.

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