Bolu kukus gula merah or steamed cupcakes – a quick way to make cupcakes when you don’t have an oven. These cupcakes, also known as kue mangkok, are perfect for breakfast or tea time with a side of coffee or tea.
Cupcake is not a foreign word to all of us; however, these Indonesian cupcakes are steamed and made with palm sugar. And unlike regular cupcakes, this version is moist and fluffy and resembles blossoming flowers, similar to Banh Thuan Hap in Vietnam.
The ingredients
- Flour. I recommend using cake flour for a better result; however, all-purpose flour works
- Sugar. You will 2 different types of sugar – palm sugar and granulated sugar
- Egg. You will need egg yolk
- Baking soda, baking powder
- Pandan, vanilla. Pandan leaves and vanilla extract will add flavors to these cupcakes
- Oil. Any vegetable oil works
How to make bolu kukus
- Cook pandan laves with palm sugar. Set aside
- Mix egg yolks with granulated sugar, baking powder, and baking soda
- Add in the pandan mixture, salt, and cake flour
- Add in oil and mix with spatula
- Pour the batter into cupcake silicone molds until full or almost full and steam for 20 minutes over high heat
What is pandan
Similar to kangkung, you will find pandan easily in Southeast Asia. They are commonly used in cooking, such as pandan chicken in Thailand, buko pandan in the Philippines, or any sweet and savory dish in Indonesia. Pandan has a naturally sweet taste and soft aroma; and inexpensive.
You can find pandan leaves in a frozen aisle in Asian supermarket. When using frozen pandan leaves, thaw the leaves at room temperature, rinse under cold water, and dry well before using.
Best way to eat bolu kukus gula merah (steamed cupcakes)
Grated coconut is best to enjoy bolu kukus gula merah since the coconut smell will balance the palm sugar. Bolu kukus or steamed cupcakes are often enjoyed in the morning or during tea time and pairs well with coffee or tea.
Tips for making steamed cupcakes
Making bolu kukus gula merah (steamed cupcakes) is simple but there are some important things that you need to know:
- Use silicone cupcakes mold to hold the cupcakes and so each cupcakes stay in its shape. Because of the shape of a bowl, these steamed cupcakes are also known as kue mangkok
- Mix egg yolks and sugar in high speed
- Preheat the steamer for 15 minutes so the heat stays
- Do not open the lid once the cupcakes are in the steamer
- Cover the lid with a piece of cloth so there is no dripping water on cupcakes
No oven? No problem! You can still make bolu kukus gula merah (steamed cupcakes) at home. Every bite is truly something special!
Ingredients
- 1 cup palm sugar
- 3 pandan leaves
- 3/4 cups water
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat the steamer over high heat.
- In a pot, cook water with pandan leaves and palm sugar until everything dissolves. Set aside.
- In a mixer, combine egg yolks, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract over high speed until pale.
- Add in pandan water, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix over low speed.
- Add oil and mix the batter with a spatula.
- Pour the batter into cupcake silicone molds and steam for 20 minutes over high heat. DO NOT open the lid while the cupcakes are cooking.
So yummy
This is such an unusual recipe for me and I even owned a cupcake shop at one time. I can’t wait to try it. I’m sure it is going to be delicious. Looking forward to checking out the texture.
I would have never thought to cook cupcakes this way!! So good!
Wow! this was a totally new recipe for me but it was so delicious! I loved all the flavors and it was so easy to make!
This taste so delicious and really flavorful! So easy to make as well, thanks a lot for sharing this amazing steamed cupcakes recipe! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Okay I have to try these. LOVE pandan flavouring and this is a new to me cooking method. They look like they have a really nice fluffy texture too.
I have never seen cupcakes made this way!
I had never tried anything like these before but it was delicious! Will definitely be making these again.
Oh my goodness who would’ve ever thought to do cupcakes this way but how fantastic! Love how easy to follow the directions were and how they are totally family friendly!