Sweet Bibingka: Homemade Filipino Coconut Cake Recipe

Sweet, pillowy clouds of flavor float from the oven when you bake this authentic bibingka, a traditional Filipino coconut cake steeped in cultural richness.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this delectable treat passed down through cherished recipes.

coconut milk and rice flour create a tender, slightly dense texture that melts on your tongue.

Banana leaves infuse a subtle earthy aroma into each delightful bite.

Warm and comforting, this dessert connects you to the vibrant culinary traditions of the Philippines.

The soft, golden surface hints at the deliciousness waiting inside.

Let’s dive into a recipe that promises to transport your senses to tropical paradise.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 13

Bibingka – Filipino Coconut Cake Ingredient

• Cream Cheese: Provides a rich, velvety texture and tangy undertone that elevates the cake's complexity.
• Granulated Sugar: Delivers sweetness and helps create a smooth, uniform mixture with cream cheese.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake's tender, light structure.

• Sweet Rice Flour: Introduces a delicate, soft crumb with a subtle glutinous texture unique to Filipino desserts.
• Baking Powder: Ensures the cake rises evenly and maintains a fluffy, light consistency.

• Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a moist, tender cake with deep golden color.
• Vanilla: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
• Cream of Coconut: Infuses tropical sweetness and authentic Filipino dessert character.
• Milk: Contributes to the cake's softness and helps blend ingredients smoothly.
• Crushed Pineapple: Brings bright, tropical sweetness and subtle tanginess to the cake.
• Brown Sugar: Creates a caramelized topping with deep, molasses-like flavor.

Traditional Tools You’ll Need for Bibingka

• Mixing bowl: Large, spacious bowl for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Essential for creaming cream cheese and sugar, blending eggs.
• 13×9 inch baking pan: Rectangular pan for baking the entire cake.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for flour, sugar, and other ingredients.
• Spatula: Helps scrape batter from sides of bowl and spread evenly in pan.
• Oven: Needed to bake the bibingka at 350°F.

Baking Bibingka Step-by-Step at Home

• Warm Kitchen Setup

Prepare your cooking space with all necessary tools. Ensure the oven is clean and ready for baking. Gather mixing bowls, measuring tools, and baking pan.

• Creamy Foundation

Blend cream cheese and sugar until silky smooth. Work the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy, creating a rich base for the cake.

• Egg Integration

Gently incorporate eggs into the creamy mixture. Add each egg slowly, stirring carefully to maintain the smooth texture.

• Batter Harmony

Combine rice flour, baking powder, melted butter, vanilla, coconut cream, milk, and pineapple. Stir until the batter becomes uniform and silky. The mixture should look glossy and well-blended.

• Pan Preparation

Transfer the batter into a greased baking pan. Sprinkle brown sugar and additional sugar across the top, creating a sweet crystalline layer.

• Baking Magic

Place the pan in a preheated oven. Bake until the cake turns golden and sets completely. The aroma will fill your kitchen with tropical sweetness.

• Cooling and Serving

Allow the cake to cool completely. Cut into square portions and serve. Enjoy the delightful Filipino-inspired dessert with friends and family.

Coconut Cake Tips to Stay True to Filipino Flavor

• Replace crushed pineapple with shredded coconut, diced mango, or passion fruit for exotic flavor variations.
• Gently fold ingredients to prevent overmixing, which can create a dense, tough cake texture instead of light and tender.
• Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar, drizzle with coconut glaze, or top with toasted coconut flakes for extra crunch and visual appeal.
• Store bibingka in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Warm slightly before serving to restore its soft, moist texture.

How to Serve Bibingka Warm and Fluffy

• Tropical Breakfast Companion: Pair this bibingka with a hot cup of Filipino barako coffee for an authentic morning experience that transports you straight to the Philippines.
• Festive Party Platter: Slice the cake into small bite-sized squares and arrange on a decorative platter with fresh tropical fruits like mango, papaya, and coconut shavings for a stunning dessert presentation.
• Creamy Topping Delight: Enhance each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of coconut ice cream to complement the cake's rich, sweet flavors and add an extra layer of indulgence.
• Holiday Gift Idea: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper and tie with a ribbon for a delightful homemade gift that captures the warmth and spirit of Filipino cuisine.

Storing Bibingka So It Doesn’t Dry Out

• Smart Refrigeration Tactics: Store leftover bibingka in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool environment helps maintain the cake's soft texture and prevents moisture loss.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cake squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. These delightful treats will stay fresh for 2-3 months, ready for a quick tropical dessert craving.
• Room Temperature Wisdom: If serving within 24 hours, keep bibingka covered at room temperature on a cake stand. The slightly warm environment keeps the cake's delicate coconut flavors vibrant and inviting.
• Moisture-Saving Strategy: Place a sheet of parchment paper between cake layers when storing to prevent sticking and maintain the cake's delectable crumb structure. This simple trick ensures each slice remains picture-perfect and deliciously intact.

Tropical Bibingka Filipino Coconut Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Luscious bibingka celebrates Filipino culinary heritage with its delicate rice flour base and coconut milk richness. Warm banana leaf wrapping and salted egg toppings invite home cooks to explore traditional island dessert crafting.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 15 oz (425 g) can cream of coconut
• 3 ½ cups (875 ml) sweet rice flour
• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk
• 3 eggs
• 8 oz (226 g) can crushed pineapple
• ½ cup (113 g) butter, melted
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease the baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
2. Mixing Base: Cream together cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then methodically blend in eggs one at a time to create a uniform mixture.
3. Ingredient Integration: Fold in sweet rice flour, baking powder, melted butter, vanilla extract, coconut cream, milk, and chopped tropical fruit, whisking until the batter becomes silky and well-incorporated without any dry clusters.
4. Baking Technique: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan, sprinkle with brown sugar and additional granulated sugar to create a caramelized topping.
5. Oven Transformation: Bake for approximately 55-60 minutes, monitoring until the bibingka develops a golden-brown crust and a firm center when tested with a knife.
6. Cooling and Serving: Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely, enabling the internal structure to set before slicing into elegant portions, presenting this traditional Filipino delicacy with its rich, tropical essence.

Notes

• Ingredient Temperature Matters: Ensure all ingredients, especially cream cheese and eggs, are at room temperature for smooth blending and consistent texture.
• Rice Flour Selection: Use sweet rice flour (glutinous rice flour) specifically, as regular rice flour won’t provide the same authentic, soft bibingka texture.
• Moisture Control: Don’t overmix the batter to prevent a dense, tough cake; mix just until ingredients are combined for a tender crumb.
• Topping Technique: Sprinkle sugar on top during the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent burning while creating a caramelized, crispy surface.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Filipino

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 29 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg