Taste of PH

Puto Bumbong: Purple Christmas Rice Cake

Prep: 20 mins (+soak overnight)  |  Cook: 15 mins  |  Serves: 6

Few things taste more like Simbang Gabi than warm puto bumbong, butter melting into the grains and coconut falling like snow.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pirurutong (purple glutinous rice) — or a mix of glutinous rice + ube extract
  • Banana leaves, cut into squares
  • Butter
  • Freshly grated coconut
  • Muscovado sugar
  • Optional: cheese

Instructions

  1. Soak rice overnight; grind coarsely and drain to a damp, sandy texture.
  2. Steam in bamboo tubes or shaped mounds until cooked and aromatic.
  3. Brush with butter; top with coconut, muscovado, and cheese if you like.

Serving Tip

Best enjoyed with hot rice and shared with family.

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