How to Make Kue Putu Ayu Pandan

Name: Kue Putu Ayu Pandan
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 2 eggs; 120 gr sugar; ½ tsp salt; ½ tsp emulsifier (optional); 150 gr flour; 1 tbsp tapioca flour; 65 cc coconut milk; 50 cc pandan extract; 150 gr freshly grated coconut; ½ tsp salt

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Learn how to make Kue Putu Ayu Pandan, an Indonesian snack that’s as green as it is delicious! This soft steamed pandan cake is crowned with a snowy layer of grated coconut, creating a sweet treat that’s perfect for sharing.

A plate of putu ayu pandan with pandan leaves as decoration.

Putu Ayu is a beloved Indonesian dessert that’s been delighting generations with its soft, steamed texture and fragrant pandan aroma. The name itself tells the story – Putu means steamed cake, while Ayu translates to pretty. And let’s be honest, this little green and white beauty is as cute as it gets, thanks to the fresh grated coconut that crowns each piece.

Best of all, Putu Ayu is so easy to make, using simple ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. If you’re already a fan of pandan-flavored treats like kue lumpang, serabi pandan, klepon, bugis mandi, pukis, or apem cake, you’re going to fall in love with this one too. It’s a perfect way to bring a taste of Indonesia’s sweet traditions right to your kitchen.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Quick and easy – This cake comes together in no time, and you don’t need to be a pro baker. Follow my step-by-step instructions and you’ll have these cute little pandan treats ready to impress!
Fragrant: The pandan extract infuses the cake with a nutty, caramel-like aroma that will make your kitchen smell so fragrant.
Inexpensive ingredients: No fancy shopping trip needed! Everything you need can be found in your local grocery store, so you can whip up this dessert without breaking the bank.
A nostalgic favorite: If you grew up in Indonesia, this cake is sure to transport you back to sweet childhood memories. If you’re new to it, welcome to a tasty tradition!
Perfect for sharing: Kue Putu Ayu Pandan is a bite-sized wonder, perfect for sharing with friends and family!

Recipe Ingredients

Putu ayu pandan ingredients with labels.

Ingredient Notes

Emulsifier – This is optional. If you don’t want to use this, it is alright. It will not affect the outcome. Emulsifier helps stabilize the batter.

Flour – Use cake flour or all purpose flour. If you are intolerant to gluten, you can substitute this to gluten-free flour.

Tapioca flour – Tapioca flour helps make the cake more bouncy and fluffy. It is gluten-free.

Coconut milk – This is what makes this cake different from other cake. The coconut milk adds a different flavor and gives a wonderful texture to the cake.

Pandan extract – Use homemade pandan extract or store-bought pandan essence. If you plan to make your own pandan extract, you can keep some in the fridge for other recipes that use pandan extract.

Freshly grated coconut – It will be ideal to have a freshly grated coconut. If not, you can always hydrate the dessicated coconut to make it more moist. Spray some water to dessicated coconut and steam it.

Pandan Leaves – Pandan leaves give more fragrant to the grated coconut while steaming.

Substitution & Variation

If you can’t find coconut milk in your area, you can substitute it with heavy cream.

Variation for Putu Ayu Cake can be done in the cake batter. You can add purple yam essence or black glutinous rice cake flour. Or even add some cocoa powder to have chocolate batter.

How to Make

Step by step process photos of putting coconut as the base of putu ayu.

STEP 1. Lightly brush the cake molds with vegetable or coconut oil to make it easier to release the cakes after steaming (Image 1). Mix the freshly grated coconut with a pinch of salt (Images 2, 3), then steam for 15 minutes with a few pandan leaves on top. Fill the bottom of each mold with 2–3 teaspoons of the steamed grated coconut, gently pressing it down so it’s tightly packed (Image 4).

Step by step process photos of mixing the cake batter.

STEP 2. Once all the molds are lined with coconut, set them on a baking tray (Image 5), so it is easier to lift them altogether. In a bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, and salt (Image 6). Add emulsifier if using, then beat on high speed for about 10 minutes until the batter is thick, pale, and leaves a trail when lifted (Images 7, 8).

Step by step process photos of sifting the flour into the batter and adding pandan extract.

STEP 3. Sift the flour and tapioca flour into the batter (Image 9). Gently fold it in with a spatula (Image 10). Add the pandan extract and coconut milk (Image 11), and mix until everything is smooth and well incorporated (Image 12).

Step by step process photos of filling up the cake mold and steaming the cake.

STEP 4. Pour the batter into the prepared molds until almost full (Image 13). Carefully transfer them to a preheated steamer (Images 14, 15) and steam over medium heat for 25 minutes. Once done, remove from the steamer (Image 16) and let them cool slightly before unmolding. Serve warm and enjoy!

Pro Tips

Mixing a little salt onto the grated coconut brings out its flavor and creates a delicious contrast with the sweet pandan cake.
If you’re using dessicated coconut, give it a quick spritz with water to bring moisture back to the coconut.
If fresh coconut milk isn’t in your pantry, fresh cream makes a wonderful substitute and still gives the cake a rich, creamy texture.
Let the batter rest for a few minutes before steaming – it’ll help the cake rise better and become extra fluffy!

How to Serve

These cute cakes are best enjoyed warm, fresh from the steamer. Serve them on a small plate or banana leaf for a traditional touch.

Pair them with a soothing beverage like Wedang Jahe (Indonesian ginger tea), Ginger Lemon tea, Lemongrass Tea, or the eye-catching Butterfly Pea Flower Tea. The aromatic drinks perfectly complement the sweet, nutty pandan flavors of the cakes.

FAQs about Putu Ayu Pandan

Can I make Putu Ayu Pandan in a big pudding mold instead of small ones?

Yes, you can. Set the steamed coconut at the bottom of your mold and pour the batter on top of it.

Why does my coconut crumble on top of Putu Ayu?

When you fill the bottom of the mold with steamed coconut, press it gently to make the coconut stick together quite tight. This way, the coconut will not crumble easily.

Can I use other flavors instead of pandan?

Yes, you can. Pandan flavors goes well with coconut milk, that’s why the original recipe is with pandan extract. Other flavor that goes well is black glutinous rice flour, ube flavor, and chocolate.

Storage

It is highly recommended to finish the cake in a day because it contains coconut milk and grated coconut. But if you have some leftover, keep it in a closed container and steam it the next day.