Philippines · Southeast Asia

Sapin-Sapin (Layered Rice Cake)

Name: Sapin-Sapin (Layered Rice Cake)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Yield: One tray
Cuisine: Philippines
Ingredients: 300 g (2 1/2 cups) glutinous rice flour; 60 g (1/2 cup) rice flour; 200 g (1 cup) sugar; 400 ml (1 2/3 cups) coconut milk; 240 ml (1 cup) water; 2 tsp ube extract (purple layer); 1 tsp jackfruit or vanilla + yellow color; Third portion left white; 200 ml (3/4 cup) coconut cream, for latik

Steamed layered glutinous-rice and coconut dessert

🛂 Passport Stamp No.019 · Postmarked in Philippines

30m

Prep

60m

Bake

One tray

Makes

Intermediate

Level

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Postmark · Philippines

🏛 A little history

Sapin-sapin means 'layered' in Filipino. It's a kakanin (rice cake) of glutinous rice flour and coconut milk, steamed in colorful layers — classically purple ube, yellow jackfruit (langka), and white coconut.

Topped with latik (toasted coconut-milk curds), it's a festive merienda and fiesta favorite — as fun to look at as it is to eat.

👩‍🍳 Let's bake!

Whisk the rice flours, sugar, coconut milk, and water into a smooth batter. Divide into 3 bowls.
Colour one purple with ube, one yellow with jackfruit/vanilla, and leave one white.
Grease the tray, pour in the purple layer, and steam 12–15 minutes until set.
Pour the yellow layer on top and steam until set; repeat with the white layer.
Make latik: simmer the coconut cream, stirring, until the oil separates and golden curds form; drain.
Cool the cake fully, top with latik, and slice with an oiled knife.

💡 Chef Axl's tips

Steam each layer until just set before adding the next, or the colours blend.
Oil your knife so the sticky slices come away clean.

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All-Purpose Flour

The everyday workhorse for cakes, cookies, and breads.

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Sugar

Sweetens and helps bakes turn golden and tender.

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Vanilla Extract

A splash of warm, sweet aroma in every batter.

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Baking Powder

The little lift that makes cakes and cookies rise.

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Tools

Parchment Paper

Non-stick lining so nothing sticks to the pan.

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Bakeware

Round Cake Pan

A sturdy round pan for perfectly even cake layers.

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Offset Spatula

Angled blade for spreading frosting like a pro.

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Sapin-Sapin (Layered Rice Cake)

🏛 A little history

👩‍🍳 Let's bake!

💡 Chef Axl's tips

Shop this recipe

All-Purpose Flour

Sugar

Vanilla Extract

Baking Powder

Parchment Paper

Round Cake Pan

Offset Spatula

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