Kuih Lapis
March 14, 2011
Kuih Lapis also known as kue lapis or Gao teng Kueh (九层糕) is a traditional Asian dessert, popular amongst Malaysians, Indonesians and Singaporeans.

What is Kuih Lapis?
Kuih Lapis means "layered cake".Kuih Lapis is also known as kue lapis (Indonesian) or Gao Teng Kueh (in chinese character 九层糕), is a popular dessert or afternoon sweet treat for Malaysians, Indonesians and Singaporeans.
Kuih Lapis is made of rice flour, although some do mix with tapioca flour to get that chewiness texture and some add plain flour to the batter.
Other ingredients are sugar, coconut milk and food colouring.

How to make Kuih Lapis?
Kuih lapis is simple an easy to make.Basic ingredients are rice flour, coconut milk and sugar.
But the most important ingredient is PATIENCE!!!
Why do I need to be patience in making kuih lapis?
Kuih lapis supposedly to have 9 distinct layers, alternate red and white.Each layer of red or white layer that you see in this kuih lapis, consists of another 2 layers.
Meaning, I steamed 1/2 cup of red kuih lapis batter for 5 minutes then I add another of the same colour before I proceed to white kuih lapis batter.
Mathematically, I have 18 layers that makes cooking time 90 minutes plus extra 15 minutes at the end.
How to Steam Kuih Lapis?
1. Prepare sugar syrup and set aside to completely cool
2. Grease heatproof container. I used 8inch diameter round tray

3. Mix rice flour and coconut milk

4. Strain sugar syrup into rice flour mixture

5. Divide the mixture into TWO: one white and the other add food colouring.
I used red food colouring.

6. Steam alternating between red and white.
Read the instruction in the Kuih Lapis recipe card below.

7. Set kuih lapis aside to completely cool before slicing and serving

Video on "How To Make Kuih Lapis"
Other Steamed Malaysian Kuih (Dessert)
Kuih TalamApam Beras
Kuih Lompang
Kuih Seri Muka

What I wrote on 14th March 2011.
I am not sure the origins of this beautifully layered dessert or afternoon snack...its either Nyonya or Malay.
All I know is that my mom used to make this... or sometimes she would buy from a Vendor, named Ali, who cycled to our village and nearby villages with his huge stainless steel version of tiffin ... about the 0.5 meter in diameter, strap to the back of his bicycle...
He would 'hoot' as he passed by our street... mothers and children would gather around and we would chose our favourite kuih. Ali would have varieties of kuih in his big tiffin.... from sweet to savouries... one of many would be this beautiful layered kuih made from rice flour... I love to have this... either for breakfast or for my afternoon delight...
This is really an easy kuih to make... all that is required is a steamer, and steam for 3 minutes between each layers. The layers will not come off clean if 'oversteaming'... That is how I gauge whether the kuih (as I would call it...) is oversteam or otherwise ... I would savour the kuih by peeling one layer at a time ... I hate to bite into that beautiful layers and leave my ugly teethmark.... so NOT ladylike.... hehehe
hehe...Lisa, kuih ni memang hanya boleh dimakan selapis demi selapis. kalau ngap terus, oh....tak bestnya!
ReplyDeleteI too suka kuih ni, esp. dah tua2 ni...kuih2 macam ni nikmatnya!
It's so pretty. Must be delicious too with the coconut milk. I tried to make mochi with rice flour and failed miserably. Maybe I'll have more luck with this recipe :-). Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is my fav kuih! I eat the same way ... peeling each layer off. Even my 7yr son eats the same way.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad we found a shop (in Toronto) that sells these (weekends only).
Can't wait to give your recipe a try.
Thanks for sharing!
Ni memang kuih favourite!! Adik I memang suka makan sangat ni.. i ingat dia tu selalu makan each lapis separately..
ReplyDeleteI think.. ni kuih Nyonya and Malay joint.. I think the Nyonya learnt this from the Malay..
Your kuih lapis looks perfect! So beautiful with identical layers and colours.
ReplyDeleteKak Yati,
ReplyDeleteI pun suka kuih lembut2 but not liat :)
Cooking Rookie,
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
Glutinous Rice flour is used in Mochi... I attached here the link to Mochi or Daifuku cakes..
http://mykeuken.blogspot.com/2010/03/daifuku-cakes.html
Have fun in trying :D
Tricia,
ReplyDeletePhew...I was not the odd one... none of my siblings eat the way I do... :D
Have fun in making the kuih and enjoy :D
Leemei,
ReplyDeleteI pun confuse :( but the good thing is... we love it :D
Ellie,
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
I made this for my friend's CNY gathering ... hence the 'ang-ang'/ red colour :D
I too love to eat this cake layer by layer and now my youngest eats it the same way too :-). I think eating it this way makes the eating experience so enjoyable!
ReplyDeletewhen do you add the coconut milk?
ReplyDeletelemongrass,
ReplyDeleteI was told off for 'peeling'... they thought I was playing with my food :( ...
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteoppsie daisy... my proofreader is sleeping on his job!!
Thank you :)...I have amended
Looks so cute!
ReplyDeletePeeling it layer by layer is the way to go. My girl loves eating kuih2 melayu/nyonya but her brother won't eat any except for serimuka (the pulut only) and karipap.
ReplyDeleteDimah,
ReplyDeleteThank you :D
Flower,
ReplyDeleteNow you mentioned serimuka... yumm, will look for pulut this Friday :)
Do you eat durian? I saw nice sebiji2 durian malaysia in one of the oriental store near my place. Bukan yang siam or yg dah siap pack tu ye, yg masih dlm kulit berduri. Wanted to buy but dear hb's home. Big pantang...
ReplyDeleteI used to eat them layer by layer when I was younger too. Younger? So what happens now? I don't even get to eat them now :(
ReplyDeleteFlower,
ReplyDeleteI eat durian but dont really miss much after the XO durian incident in KL about 8 years ago... had a bad headache for 2 days... :D
Kesian you tak dapat makan when hubby at home...
tigerfish,
ReplyDeletenow that we are few days older (still young... hehehe) and living abroad ~ we have to make them in order to eat them ;P
Mouthwatering! I wish I could just grab one to try!
ReplyDeleteLisa, the kuih lapis is so beautifully done!!
ReplyDeleteAngie,
ReplyDelete:)
Ah Tze,
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
Oooooh your blog has all the local Malaysian delicacies! Hullo! It's nice to know another Malaysian blogger in Australia! :D Thanks for coming by my blog. We're both connected by our love for authentic Malaysian cuisine. :)
ReplyDeleteHappee Monkee,
ReplyDeleteSelamat Berkenalan... :D