Kuih Tepung Pelita

Kuih Tepung Pelita

Kuih tepung pelita is made of two layers of rice flour custard, coconut milk and is pandan flavoured. They are usually filled in little banana leaf boats. Here's the perfect recipe for this traditional sweet snack which uses only one type of flour.

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Preparation 20 mins
Cooking 30 mins

Dessert

Double Layer Rice Flour Desert

Malay, Malaysian, Singaporean

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Nutrition per Serving

118 kcal
15 g
7 g
1 g

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Kuih tepung pelita is a double layered rice flour custard cake. The layers are flavoured differently whereby one is sweet and the other savoury. The bottom layer is flavoured with what is known as Asian vanilla or pandan leaves. It is then topped with another coconut milk custard layer. Between these layers, a thin syrup is used to bridge the flavours together. The sweetness is pleasant with a smooth texture which easily glides through your mouth. The final product is not excessively sweet but just nice.

In English, the name ‘tepung pelita’ means flour and oil lamp. The latter references a traditional oil lamp due to the shape of the folded banana leaf which houses the dessert.

Why should I make kuih tepung pelita?

This traditional sweet is usually found during the month of Ramadan (fasting month for the Muslims). Otherwise, they are rather scarce. While there may be many different versions of this kuih, this recipe is made simple as it uses only 5 types of ingredients which are widely available.

Steaming is not required and it takes only 4 steps to making this attractive dessert should you plan to prepare for a party. All this simplicity without sacrificing the authentic flavours.

Kuih tako vs kuih tepung pelita

Kuih Tako looks very similar and many often mistake it with the other. While both kuih comprises of two layers, there are actually significant differences.

Kuih Tako Kuih Tepung Pelita
Originates from the state Johor Originates from the state Perak
Contains mung bean flour and corn flour Can be made with only rice flour
Filled with jicama No filling
Served in pandan leaf boats Served in banana leaf boats

What makes a perfect kuih tepung pelita?

Unlike kuih tako which is slightly firmer, kuih tepung pelita is very soft and jiggles when shaken. The perfect texture is semi-liquid like and is a little squishy.

The perfect texture
The perfect texture

The custard layers should glide into the mouth easily. It is most refreshing and enjoyable when served chilled.

Can I use other types of flour?

It is best to stick to rice flour, just like how it is done traditionally. Any other types of flour will change its texture. It will also change into a different type of kuih instead. For example, kuih tako is made using a different combination of flour while kuih limas which looks similar uses wheat flour instead.

Substitute for coconut milk

Just like most local sweets, coconut milk plays an important role. It is loved for its sweetness and creaminess. If you are not a fan, replace it with cow milk or soy milk of the recommended amount of coconut milk suggested in this recipe for a vegan version.

Pandan paste or flavouring instead

I strongly recommend using fresh pandan extract. However, pandan leaves might not be available at your location or some may not like its after taste. However, both pandan paste or pandan flavouring can be used.

Usually 1 to 2 teaspoons (ca. 2 to 4 grams) of either artificial flavouring will be sufficient. As pandan flavouring does not have any colour, some green food colouring may be added.

How to fold banana leaf boat?

Cut banana leaves into rectangles of ca. 7 x 9 cm. Place it vertically with the dull surface facing you. If the banana leaf is not soft enough to be folded, placing it over heat (e.g. stove) should soften the leaf. Be careful not to burn the leaf, though.

Fold the top of the leaf and pinch each corner to bring them together. Secure the tips with a toothpick. Repeat on the other side to create a ‘banana boat’. Watch the video below to see how it is done.

Substitute for banana leaf

Instead of banana leaves, you can also use pandan leaves. The leaves may be folded into triangles or squares.

In folded pandan leaves
In folded pandan leaves

Feel free to refer to Kuih Tako recipe to see the method of folding.

Otherwise, this kuih can be made in individual moulds or little bowls.

Using containers
Using containers

Can it be prepared in advance?

Ready-made kuih should not be kept for more than 1 day since coconut milk deteriorates very quickly. For a longer shelf life, the pandan layer can be kept refrigerated for up to 3 days. When it's about time to serve, prepare the coconut milk layer and continue with step 3 onwards.

Freezing kuih tepung pelita

Just like how the pandan layer can be refrigerated, it can also be frozen for up to a month. The flavour deteriorates with time. Therefore, do not keep it for too long. Frozen pandan layer must be thawed and reheated to reach its original consistency.

The coconut milk layer should be made fresh and hot. It is needed to slowly dissolve the icing sugar to create a layer of thin syrup.


Ingredients

Servings:  
1 1⁄4 cup
sugar
1 cup
rice flour
10
pandan leaves
4 cups
water
4 cups
coconut milk
5 tbsp
rice flour
1 tbsp
salt

Steps to Prepare

Kuih Tepung Pelita Step 1

Step 1 of 4

Blend pandan leaves with water, then strain to obtain pandan extract. Cook pandan extract over medium heat. Add sugar and using a hand whisk, stir for 1 minute or until sugar dissolves. Continue stirring while adding rice flour, a few spoonfuls at a time. Do not stop stirring to avoid clumping. Cook until it thickens. The batter should be producing some steam at this point of time.

Kuih Tepung Pelita Step 2

Step 2 of 4

Scoop some pandan batter into containers of your choice. The batter should fill up ⅔ of each container. Repeat until batter finishes. To fold the banana leaf boats, refer to the video in the background section above.

Kuih Tepung Pelita Step 3

Step 3 of 4

    • 1⁄4 cup sugar

Sprinkle a pinch of sugar on the pandan layer in each container. This will create a thin layer of sugar syrup once the hot coconut milk layer is added to it.

Kuih Tepung Pelita Step 4

Step 4 of 4

    • 4 cup coconut milk
    • 5 tbsp rice flour
    • 1 tbsp salt

Prepare white layer by heating coconut milk in a pot over medium heat. Then, add rice flour and salt. Keep stirring until it thickens. The batter should be steaming once it is ready. Immediately pour the batter over the pandan layer in each container. Best served chilled.

Published: May 30, 2020


2 Discussions

la dida
a year ago

la dida

1 tbsp = tablespoon of salt is waaaay too salty. Is this an error? It ruined my entire batch.

Bushra
3 years ago

Bushra

My coconut turned saltish sour.. any idea why?

Mira - Community Happiness Manager
3 years ago

Mira - Community Happiness Manager

It should be slightly salty to balance the sweetness from the other layer. You can reduce the salt if you find that it is too much. Sourness should not happen. Did you taste the coconut milk before cooking? Also, did you leave it out for too long?

Bushra
3 years ago

Bushra

It was new coconut milk and I was fasting so couldn’t taste. I will give it another go

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