The Perfect Bibingka Filipino Coconut Cake Recipe for Sweet Lovers

Bibingka, a beloved Filipino delicacy, brings warmth and nostalgia to every gathering with its unique texture and rich cultural significance.

This traditional cake stands out from ordinary desserts, offering a delightful blend of soft, moist interior and slightly crisp edges.

Rice flour forms the foundation of this remarkable treat, creating a distinctive softness that melts in your mouth.

coconut milk infuses the cake with a tropical essence that transports you to Philippine landscapes and festive celebrations.

Subtle hints of sweetness dance alongside earthy undertones, making bibingka more than just a simple dessert.

The cooking method involves a special technique that upgrades basic ingredients into a deeply satisfying culinary experience.

Home cooks and food enthusiasts appreciate how this cake represents generations of Filipino culinary tradition.

Why Bibingka Is a Filipino Favorite You Should Try

• Savor Tropical Sweetness: This bibingka bursts with authentic Filipino flavors, blending creamy coconut, tangy pineapple, and rich cream cheese for a delightful taste experience that transports you to sunny island landscapes.
• Texture Magic: Enjoy a heavenly combination of tender, moist cake with a delicate crackly sugar topping that provides delightful contrast and a satisfying crunch in every bite.
• Quick and Easy Comfort: Perfect for beginner bakers, this one-bowl recipe requires minimal effort and baking skills, delivering impressive results in just over an hour- ideal for spontaneous dessert cravings or gathering with friends and family.

Ingredients You Need for This Coconut Rice Cake

Main Ingredients:

• Sweet Rice Flour: Gluten-free flour that provides unique texture and traditional Filipino cake consistency.
• Cream Cheese: Adds rich, creamy depth and smooth texture to the cake.
• Eggs: Essential binding agent that provides structure and richness.
• Granulated Sugar: Primary sweetener that helps create a tender cake crumb.

• Cream of Coconut: Authentic Filipino ingredient that brings tropical sweetness and coconut essence.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a soft, tender cake texture.
• Crushed Pineapple: Provides natural sweetness and subtle tropical tang.
• Melted Butter: Contributes rich flavor and helps keep the cake moist.

• Brown Sugar: Creates a caramelized, slightly crunchy top layer.
• Vanilla: Adds warm, classic flavoring that complements coconut and pineapple.
• Baking Powder: Crucial leavening agent that helps cake rise and become light.

How to Bake Bibingka for a Light and Tender Texture

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C). Grab a 13×9 inch baking pan and give it a generous coating of grease to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese and granulated sugar together until they become silky smooth and blend perfectly.

Step 3: Introduce the Eggs

Gently add eggs one by one, giving each a thorough mix to ensure they’re fully incorporated into the creamy mixture.

Step 4: Mix the Magical Ingredients

• Sweet rice flour
• Baking powder
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract
• Cream of coconut
• Milk
• Crushed pineapple

Stir everything until the batter becomes a dreamy, uniform consistency.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Pour the luscious batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Step 6: Add the Sweet Topping

• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour. Watch for a golden-brown top and a firm center that signals the cake is ready.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Carefully remove the pan from the oven and let the bibingka cool completely. Once cooled, slice into delightful squares and treat yourself to this Filipino treasure.

Tips for Baking Bibingka at Home the Easy Way

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for rice flour and cream of coconut to ensure the perfect texture and moisture of your bibingka.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Let eggs, cream cheese, and butter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to create a smoother, more uniform batter.
• Don't Overmix: Gently fold ingredients together until just combined to prevent a dense, tough cake texture.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Insert a toothpick in the center- it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean, to maintain the cake's signature softness.
• Cool Completely: Allow the bibingka to cool entirely in the pan to help it set and make cutting clean, square pieces easier.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Bibingka

• Refrigerate: Wrap bibingka tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Place cooled cake squares in freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags. Will maintain quality for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Reheat: Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds or in oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Sprinkle extra brown sugar on top for renewed sweetness and moisture.

Drinks and Snacks That Go Well with It

• Pair with Filipino Coffee: Brew a rich, bold Filipino coffee like Barako to complement the sweet, tropical flavors of the bibingka. The strong coffee cuts through the cake's richness and enhances its coconut and pineapple notes.
• Match with Tropical Cocktail: Serve a refreshing coconut mojito or a pineapple rum punch alongside the bibingka. These drinks echo the cake's tropical ingredients and provide a cool, zesty contrast to the dense, sweet dessert.
• Create a Dessert Platter: Arrange the bibingka with fresh tropical fruits like mango, papaya, and passion fruit. This combination highlights the cake's coconut and pineapple base while adding a fresh, vibrant element to the dessert experience.
• Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream: Top warm bibingka with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The cold, smooth vanilla beautifully balances the cake's warm, dense texture and intensifies its sweet, tropical flavors.

Flavorful Toppings or Mix-Ins to Explore

• Tropical Paradise Remix: Skip the crushed pineapple and add fresh mango chunks for a vibrant, summery Filipino-inspired dessert that bursts with tropical flavors.
• Nutty Coconut Crunch: Sprinkle toasted macadamia nuts or coconut flakes on top before baking to create a delightful textural contrast and enhance the coconut profile.
• Spiced Coconut Fusion: Incorporate ground cinnamon, cardamom, or ginger into the batter for a warm, aromatic version that elevates the traditional bibingka recipe with subtle, complex notes.
• Chocolate Coconut Dream: Fold in dark chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cake to transform the classic bibingka into a rich, indulgent treat that combines tropical and chocolate flavors.

Bibingka Filipino Coconut Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Filipino bibingka emerges as a sweet, pillowy delight from tropical kitchens. Delicate rice flour and coconut blend together to create a moist cake that whispers traditional island comfort for anyone craving authentic Filipino dessert magic.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 ½ cups (875 ml) sweet rice flour
• 15 oz (425 g) can cream of coconut
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese
• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk
• 3 eggs
• 8 oz (226 g) can crushed pineapple

Supporting Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 g) butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon vanilla

Topping Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, ensuring the cooking environment is precisely calibrated for optimal cake performance.
2. Prepare a rectangular baking vessel by lightly coating its interior with a thin protective layer of grease to prevent potential sticking.
3. Utilize a spacious mixing vessel to gently combine cream cheese and granulated sweetener, transforming the mixture into a velvety, uniform consistency.
4. Incorporate eggs methodically, introducing them individually and thoroughly integrating each one to create a harmonious base.
5. Introduce the remaining core ingredients: sweet rice flour, rising agent, liquefied butter, aromatic vanilla, coconut cream, dairy liquid, and fragmented tropical fruit.
6. Whisk the ensemble until achieving a silken, homogeneous texture without any lingering dry pockets or unmixed components.
7. Transfer the luxurious batter into the prepared receptacle, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.
8. Generously dust the top with a delicate layer of caramel-toned sugar and additional granulated sweetener for a tantalizingly crisp exterior.
9. Position the pan in the preheated oven, allowing the cake to metamorphose for approximately one hour until it develops a golden, firm complexion.
10. Extract the bibingka from the oven and permit it to cool completely, allowing the internal structure to stabilize before slicing into elegant squares.
11. Present this traditional Filipino delicacy, celebrating its rich, tropical essence and inviting texture.

Notes

• This traditional Filipino dessert blends creamy coconut and sweet pineapple for a tropical flavor explosion.
• Use freshly grated coconut or high-quality cream of coconut for the most authentic and rich taste.
• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to create a smoother, more consistent cake batter.
• The brown sugar topping creates a delightful caramelized crust that adds extra texture and sweetness.
• Best served slightly warm or at room temperature, making it perfect for gatherings and potlucks.
• Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 325
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg