Kutsinta (cuchinta) are Filipino steamed cakes made with flour, tapioca flour, and brown sugar. Soft, chewy and topped with grated coconut, they're a delicious breakfast, snack or dessert.
I've been on the lookout for a good recipe for kutsinta since forever, but my search and kitchen experimentations had been sorely disappointing. That was until last weekend when my kumare posted on Facebook a picture of the kutsinta she made and how she finally nailed the recipe after two years of trial and error.
I was so excited reading her post, I PM'ed her as fast as my stubby fingers could type! I am not sure of the time difference between California and Vancouver where she lives, but I was glad she replied with the recipe and had me on my kutsinta-making project in thirty minutes flat. Thank heavens for awesome friends 🙂
A couple of bites of the steamed cakes I made following her method and I had to agree; she indeed nailed it! While most of the recipes I've encountered in the past are made of rice flour, her version uses all-purpose flour and tapioca flour which, along with the addition of lye, produces the soft and chewy texture I like.
What lye water does in kutsinta
Food grade Lye water is a strong alkaline solution used in various cooking processes such as curing and baking. As a key ingredient in making kutsinta or pichi-pichi as well in Chinese moon cakes, bagels, pretzels, and ramen noodles, it raises the ph level of the dough for a richer color and a springy texture.
If you prefer not to use lye or don't have access to it, you can read this article on how to use baked baking soda solution as an alternative.
Cooking tips
- The atsuete is primarily added to deepen the color and you can use more or less depending on the brown sugar you use.
- I use silicone molds for steaming; if you're using tin molds, you might need to lightly grease the inside for easy removal of the steamed cakes.
- Steam in a gentle simmer to prevent the kutsinta from sinking in the middle.
- These are mini-sized cuchinta; recipe yield depends on the size of molds you use.
- Make sure to stir the mixture in between pouring into the molds as the flour tends to settle in the bottom.
How to serve
- These steamed rice cakes are traditionally served for breakfast, midday snack or after-meal dessert.
- To store, transfer to a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer life, top with coconut when ready to serve
In the mood for more puto recipes? Try this easy Puto with tons of cheese and this Puto Lanson made of grated cassava. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ cup tapioca flour
- 1 ½ cups dark brown sugar
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon atsuete powder
- 1 tablespoon lye water
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine flour, tapioca flour, sugar, and water. Stir well until dissolved and mixture is smooth.
- Add atsuete and stir until well dispersed and the desired color is achieved.
- Add lye water and stir.
- Lightly grease inside of molds with melted butter (If using silicone molds, skip this step). Fill molds to about ¾ full.
- Add water to the steamer and bring to simmer over medium heat.
- Steam kutsinta for about 40 to 45 minutes or until mixture is set. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Gently remove from molds and serve with grated coconut.
Notes
- Stir the mixture in between pouring into the molds as the flour tends to settle in the bottom.
- Steam in a gentle simmer to prevent the kutsinta from sinking in the middle.
- Nutritional info calculated at 2 pieces per serving.
Video

“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Lilibeth rosales says
It looks good and yummy,,I try this coz this is one of my favorite kakanin,,
Edna pallarcon says
Kindly share to me ingredient in malong sauce for siomai and hot chilli sauce.
Nida says
What if don’t have tapioca or cassava flour what’s the substitute?
Lolita A. Ederon says
What eill i used if i don't have lue water?
Lyn says
I have no tapioca flour, what is my alternative ?
mhai Lura says
hi maam paano po ang measurements pag mga 20 pax ang kakain maam...thank u in advance
Julie Fones says
It looked good. I never make one because I don’t know where to buy the ingredients here in Michigan. This was my favorite snacks whenever I visit the Philippines.
Lyn says
What city are you in Michigan?they have couple store by Madison Heights that you buy those ingredients.
Maricel Serios says
What if di po available atsuete powder what will I use???
Lorna says
Anu po yung lye water?
Shandi says
Hi there! This recipe is excellent! Quick question, can these be frozen for later consumption? Thank you!
nathaniel says
can i use cornstarch instead of tapioca four
NATHANIEL says
ano po ang tapioca flour? actually i like your recipe
Thelma says
What is cause and need to be done when your kutsinta end up hard
Tess says
Can i freeze kutsinta
andy says
Hi! If i'll make this gluten free because I have autoimmune condition, what can I substitute for flour? (bawal rin po ng rice flour pero pwede po tapioca, cassava, arrowroot) paano po isusubstitute?
Alexis marie Z Dikit says
Ive been cooking my kutsinta for an hour and 15 mnts.but its still not ready..what seems to be the problem?