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Home > Dessert + Sweets

Palitaw Recipe

BY :Bebs | Published: 08/28/ 2016 | Updated:03/25/ 2021 | 20 Comments

RECIPE PRINT
4.67 from 6 votes
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Palitaw is a Filipino afternoon snack. This flattened sweet rice cake is very chewy and really filling but the best part is, it is really easy to make. | www.foxyfolksy.com
palitaw-recipe

Palitaw is a Filipino afternoon snack or 'merienda' that consist mainly of glutinous rice coated with grated coconut and sugar and sometimes roasted sesame seeds. This flattened sweet rice cake is very chewy and really filling but the best part is, it is really easy to make.    This Palitaw recipe is as easy as it can get because I used glutinous rice flour that is readily available in Asian stores. Back in the days, I remember my Mama had to go to the wet market or 'palengke' to buy glutinous rice and have it grinded there as well. I am not sure if this is still done back home, will have to ask my Mama.  Once  the glutinous rice is grinded it would look like a white dough and all that is need to be done is form them into small balls and flatten them before dropping them in boiling water, but since I am using glutinous rice flour, I needed to add some water, or in this case I used coconut milk, to add a bit more flavor. 

how-to-make-palitaw

I find Palitaw to be a funny thing. The word 'palitaw' means 'to surface' and it was named so because once the flattened glutinous rice dough surfaces to the top of the boiling water where it is cooked, it means it done. Once cooked they are rolled in a mixture of grated coconut and sugar, and if desired, sprinkled with roasted sesame seeds. If you've read my post on Pichi-pitchi, you'll know that freshly grated coconut is next to impossible to find here in Germany and you will also learn about my secret: I use desiccated coconut and add some water (or in this case, again, a mixture of coconut milk and water) to it and it works perfectly!  

Print Review

Palitaw Recipe

4.67 from 6 votes
Palitaw is a Filipino afternoon snack or 'merienda' that consist mainly of glutinous rice coated with grated coconut and sugar and sometimes roasted sesame seeds. This flattened sweet rice cake  is very chewy and really filling but the best part is, it is really easy to make.    
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Course :Snack
Servings =10
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup glutinous rice flour
  • ½ cup water or cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup coconut (grated)
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ⅛ cup sesame seeds (roasted) - (optional)

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl, combine glutinous rice flour and water and mix into a soft, pliable dough. If too soft or sticky add some more g. rice flour, a tablespoon at a time. If a piece of dough is cracking when flattened, then add a bit of water.
  • Form small balls, each an inch in diameter. Then flatten the balls to a quarter-inch thickness by pressing them in between your palms.
  • In a pot or deep pan over medium-high heat, bring about 5-inch deep of water into a rolling boil.
  • Gently drop each flattened dough into the boiling water. Do not overcrowd the pot. When the pieces float to the surface, remove from water using a slotted spoon and drain well.
  • When cool enough to handle, roll in a plate of mixed sugar and coconut and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Notes

If using desiccated coconut: In a bowl, add about a quarter cup of water to half a cup of desiccated coconut and mix really well. Make it ahead of time, like 30 minutes earlier so it can sit for a couple of minutes to absorb the liquid, make sure to mix from time to time. Adjust the measurements as needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 75kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 0gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgPotassium: 37mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 0.5mg
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!
Palitaw is a Filipino afternoon snack. This flattened sweet rice cake is very chewy and really filling but the best part is, it is really easy to make. | www.foxyfolksy.com


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  1. Lai says

    August 06, 2021 at 9:40 am

    Hi Bebs! Been following your site for a while and yours is lowkey my fave and my first go-to when looking for specific Filipino recipes. Anyway, for this Palitaw, can I use Mochiko since I don't or never have glutinous rice flour? Is it the same? Thanks and btw, fantastic job on your traditional and not-so-traditional collection of recipes! ^_^

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      August 06, 2021 at 7:20 pm

      Hi Lai, I am happy that you like our recipe collections here! I have not used Mochiko yet, but as far as I know, it is a type of glutinous rice flour, so I am sure it should work too.

      Reply
  2. Manny says

    July 02, 2020 at 8:22 am

    What is the proper way to flatten the mixture of the palitan, without sticking in your palm? It's hard to release it to the boiling water. HELP.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      July 27, 2020 at 11:15 pm

      Hi Manny, you can try to dust your hands with rice flour while working on them.

      Reply
  3. Manny says

    July 01, 2020 at 12:03 pm

    Can I substitute glutonous rice flour to a regular rice flour?

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      July 02, 2020 at 1:07 am

      Hi Manny, it has to be glutinous rice flour.

      Reply
  4. Maria says

    April 17, 2020 at 11:44 pm

    Miss Beb, I love your recipe!!!
    very easy and accurate
    I would like to ask if I uses fine dessicated coconut, should I still mix it with water?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      April 17, 2020 at 11:57 pm

      Hi Maria, sure or coconut milk. This is only to hydrate them and this is the closest thing you will get to freshly grated coconut.

      Reply
  5. Donna says

    January 19, 2020 at 10:24 am

    5 stars
    Hi! Is it ok to use shredded coconut? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      January 20, 2020 at 5:10 pm

      Shredded as in strips or flakes? But I guess it should be fine only grated coconut is finer and sticks well to the surface.

      Reply
  6. Jojo panganiban says

    February 14, 2019 at 3:38 pm

    5 stars
    I like your recipes- very doable??

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      February 15, 2019 at 8:49 am

      Happy to hear that, Jojo. Thanks for the 5 stars.

      Reply
  7. Imee says

    December 15, 2017 at 1:59 am

    Love your cooking, always.
    Keep up the your lovely cooking.
    Have a great day.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      December 17, 2017 at 3:10 pm

      Thanks Imee!

      Reply
  8. Aireen says

    December 12, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    5 stars
    I'm following your website as my family and me are also living in Germany and we have the same access (or lack of) for ingredients. Me and my husband are always missing the foods from home so I always try to make some. I have used your desiccated coconut trick to replace the grated coconut and it worked out well. Thanks so much for sharing these tips. Now, I can also use this for puto, kutsinta, pichi-pichi, etc.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      December 13, 2017 at 6:19 pm

      Hi Aireen, I know exactly how it feels to miss and crave for our home food! I am glad I am able to help in simple ways...????

      Reply
  9. Lyn lyn says

    May 09, 2017 at 7:01 pm

    5 stars
    Can I use rice flour insted of glutinous rice flour.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      May 10, 2017 at 1:55 pm

      Hi Lyn lyn, it has to be glutinous rice flour because of its sticky consistency which a regular rice flour lacks.

      Reply
  10. Teresita Cruz says

    March 21, 2017 at 12:48 pm

    The grated coconut, can i use frozen? All i can find here are frozen ones, do i need to squeeze out the liquid. Thanks

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      March 21, 2017 at 9:42 pm

      The problem with squeezing out the liquids is that you also get rid of the flavor. Try putting it on a strainer to remove excess liquids, stirring every few minutes and let it dry out just a bit. I prefer using desiccated coconut because, in my experience, the flavor is more intact than the frozen ones, but maybe the ones you get there are better than the ones I get here in Germany!?

      Reply

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