BY :Bebs | Published: | Updated: | 183 Comments
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4.95 from 112 votes
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Get that perfect sticky chewiness all the time with this easy Biko recipe. Topped with delicious coconut caramel sauce or latik that will make you want for more.
- What is Biko?
- What do you need to make Biko Kalamay?
- How to make Biko?
- Printable Recipe
- Biko Recipe (Filipino Rice Cake)
What is Biko?
Biko (pronounced bee-koh), a rice cake, is a native Filipino delicacy or 'kakanin' where glutinous rice is cooked withcoconut milk and brown sugar then topped Latik. The latik can be either in curd form or syrup. Traditionally, biko isserved ona bilao, a round wooden bamboo tray, linedwith coconut-oiled banana leaves, and is a popular dessert for every special occasion like birthdays, reunions and fiestas.
It is well-loved throughout the country and known different names. Bibingkang malagkit is one and it isSinukmani to the Southern Tagalog regions. We grew up calling it simply kalamay.
What do you need to make Biko Kalamay?
You will need only 4 basic ingredients to make this delicacy: glutinous rice, coconut milk, water, and brown sugar. You can either top it with latik curds or latik syrup, that is made by combining coconut and brown sugar.
The color of your biko will depend mainly on the brown sugar used. If you are trying to get that rich brown color then use a really dark brown sugar or muscovado. Brown sugar also varies in sweetness so you might have to adjust according to your preference.
Adding pandan leaves while cooking the rice will give it nice aroma and flavor. I also added a bit of vanilla extract to the latik syrup to make it extra delicious. Believe me, it is spoon-licking good, I could eat it on its own.
How to make Biko?
I found that there are several ways to cook it. The most common way is bycooking the glutinous rice first like you do regular rice. Then it will be added to the coconut caramel later.
There is also another way that an old friend taught me. He simply put the ingredients for the biko together in a rice cooker and that is it. Practical if you do not have time and just want a quick snack.
For this recipe I went with the more traditional way. But instead of just boiling the sticky rice in water, I boiled it in coconut milk with water and pandan leaves so it can absorb the flavors right from the beginning.
Here are some tips to make a perfectly chewy biko with perfect latik topping
Making this sticky rice cake is really very easy. But one simple mistake and it can turn mushy or uncooked.
- When you steam the rice make sure that you do not add too much water. It is not supposed to be completely cooked at this point. Doing so may result in the grains to break when cooked later which will give you a paste-like consistency instead of chewy whole grains.
- It is fine to give it a stir or two in the first part of cooking the rice to prevent the bottom from burning. However, avoid over stirring because, again, it will result in mushy rice.
- When the rice is added to the latik syrup, gently fold the rice to coat them completely. Let the rice absorb the liquid while stirring from time to time. Do this until all grains are cooked and have expanded and very sticky.
- The length of time to bake the biko depends on how thick the latik caramel topping is, it might take more than 20-30 minutes if it is a thick layer. Just wait that it turns bubbly and no longer gooey.
Printable Recipe
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Biko Recipe (Filipino Rice Cake)
4.95 from 112 votes
Get this easy Biko recipe, a Filipino rice cake made from glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and brown sugar topped with caramelized coconut milk.
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 1 hour hr
Total Time: 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Course :Dessert, Snack
Servings =9 squares
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe
Ingredients
TO COOK RICE
- 2 cups glutinous rice - washed and drained
- 1 cup canned coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- 2 pieces pandan leaves
LATIK SYRUP
- 2 cups canned coconut milk
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
- vegetable or coconut oil - for greasing the pan
Instructions
Generously grease an 8x8-inch square baking pan and set aside.
In a large pot over medium heat, mix together the 1 cup coconut milk and 1cup water. Add the glutinous rice and pandan leaves. Bring to a simmer then turn heat to low and cover. Let it cook until all liquids are absorbed. The rice should only be almost cooked at this point.
While waiting, prepare the latik syrup by combining the 2 cups coconut milk and 1 cup dark brown sugar on a large pan or pot. Cook over medium heat while constantly stirring until the liquid thickens into a camarel.
Scoop and reserve ½ cup of the latik syrup for the topping later. Add the cooked rice without the pandan leaves to tha pan with the remaining latik syrup. Gently fold the sticky rice and the syrup until completely coated. Cook while stirring from time to time until the rice completely absorbs the syrup and the rice is fully cooked.
Transfer the rice into the greased pan and spread out evenly. Pour the reserved latik syrup on spread evenly on top of the rice. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F/180°C for 20-30 minutes or until the latik is reduced and becomes bubbly.
Remove from oven and let it cool down. Cut into squares and serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 455kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 5gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 18gSodium: 24mgPotassium: 291mgFiber: 3gSugar: 28gVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 2mg
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!
This biko recipe was originally published on August 2016. Updated on May 2020 to include new photos and recipe video and improve the recipe itself.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Tami Fox Sherman says
Delicious! I also used coconut sugar.Reply
Mimosa Mey says
The sweetness and consistency were just right. My family finished Biko in one sitting ☺️Reply
Eve Santiago says
I think the recipe is great! The taste is there but I will make some modifications my next batch. Definitely using dark brown sugar, cook Latik longer, use more latik sauce on top and maybe even add a little more sugar for extra sweetness, and use quality coconut milk (mine must’ve been in the cabinet for too long- solidified and super oily). Overall, the taste sure brought my husband back to his childhood and helped us remember how Lola’s tasted.Reply
Aurora Lozada says
Can I make the Biko the day before store in the fridge and bake it the day I want to serve it
Reply
Bebs says
I am not a big fan of refrigerating cooked rice, because it tends to dry up and harden but if covered properly and only overnight, I think it should be fine.
Reply
Anacleta Milani says
I almost make the same,going to try the Carmel version ‼️ We call this Kakanen 😋🤙😇Reply
Yuu says
I always follow your recipes and try to make use of what I can access here in Germany. Thank you. I grew up in the Philippines and it takes me back home to make kakanin.Reply
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