I so love this Puto Cheese recipe. So soft and fluffy and definitely better tasting than the Puto mix you buy in a box but equally easy to make. You will never think of buying ready mix Puto after trying this!
What is Puto?
Puto is a Filipino steamed rice cake delicacy normally eaten as snack. Puto is also, oftentimes, served to accompany savory dishes like dinuguan (pork blood stew) or pancit (rice noodle).
The traditional one is made from rice, water, and sugar that is stone-grinded to make the batter or what we call 'galapong'. It is normally fermented overnight before steaming them. Of course, everything became easy when rice flour became available.
But this recipe of Cheese Puto actually does not use rice at all, it uses all-purpose flour instead. Yeah I know, I was skeptical about it as well at first but it turned out to be really good, and I would say I prefer it better than using rice flour because it makes smoother and softer Puto.
What Cheese to Use?
I get this question a lot and I know why. In the Philippines, the common cheese you can get is packed in foil and boxed and you usually get them from the shelves and not in the fridge section of a grocery store. The most popular brand is Kraft Eden cheese and I read that it is the equivalent or similar to Kraft Velveeta in the US.
I used to buy loads of this cheese and bring them back to Germany. Once there, I remove them from the boxes and freeze them. They would last for months to a year that way.
For those who do not have access to this kind of processed cheese, I would recommend other cheeses like Gouda or Cheddar.
Additional Tips:
- Avoid using high speed when mixing the batter as this creates more air bubbles that can be trapped in the batter and will form holes when steamed.
- Place a cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel in between steamer racks and the top cover to avoid water from dripping to the batter. This will result in uneven cooking and disinformed top.
- It is very important to use low heat. Bring the water to a simmer then turn the heat to the lowest as possible. Just enough to keep the steam forming but do not let the water boil. High temperatures will result in an uneven rise of the batter instead of forming a perfect dome.
Puto Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk (evaporated or fresh)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter -melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup grated cheese
- strips cheese - for topping
- butter or oil for brushing the molds
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar and baking powder.
- Add the milk and egg and mix using a whisk or electric mixer at medium speed only until batter becomes smooth.
- Add the water, butter and vanilla extract and mix well for a minute or two. Lastly, add the grated cheese and fold in slowly using a spatula or spoon.
- Grease each mold with butter and fill the molds with batter up to ¾ full.
- Fill the bottom of the steamer with water and bring to a gentle simmer over very low heat. Place the molds in the steamer basket and steam for about 10 to 12 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Remove the lid and add a strip of cheese on top of each put. Steam for another minute or two until cheese melts. Turn off heat and let it rest until slightly cooled down.
- Remove the cooked Puto Cheese from the molds and transfer to a serving plate.
Notes
Nutrition
For those who are asking about the plastic molds I used to steam these Puto in, I got them from the Philippines. But you may also use the Silicone muffin molds like the one below I found on Amazon. I also use them for making Puto sometimes just like I would use the plastic molds.
Here are also examples of steamers used to make Puto. The middle one is a stove-top variation while the one on the right is electric. You may click on the photos to see where you can buy them as well.
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This recipe for Puto Cheese was originally published in June 2016. Updated in March 2020 to include new photos and recipe video. Additional tips were also provided.
I don’t have a steamer. What are the other alternatives?
You can use a large pot and place a stand with a plate inside.
This recipe is for keeps. my family loves the taste and texture. I will make another batch for my father's birthday. Thanks for sharing. 😊
You are welcome, Olive!
This recipe is epic. I used fresh milk for all the liquid and turns out really good. I am not posting and recommending recipe to friends if I my self is not satisfied. 😊😊
With this one you will never buy puto anymore. Puto here in Canada is a rare find and only Filipino stores sell them. Thank you for this recipe. Recommended to 5 friends already and they Love it as much as I do.
Aaaawww...that is awesome, Janelle. Thanks for the recommendations and for the 5 stars...
So helpful
Hello po ano pong size ng molder and gamit nyo for this puto and for your kutsinta? Salamat po.
It has about 2.5 inch top diameter. Usually, they only have one size if you ask for puto or kutsinta mold.
So simple yet so tasty 😋, twas my first time cooking puto and the recipe did not disappoint <3. Thank you for sharing!
Glad to hear it, Daphne.
can i cook it in the oven and in what temperature?
First attempt at this recipe.
With the milk I used fresh milk and fresh cream up to the required 1/2 cup.
If your Kutsinta recipe is as good as this one I will be very happy.
You have to try it and let me know how it goes 😊. Happy that you like our puto cheese recipe.
Hi bebs pede mki join to your recipe thanks...
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I made this the other day, really good recipe and so easy to make.
Glad you like it, Leah.
Hi, can I use cake flour instead of plain flour? Also, can I lessen the amount of sugar? Many thanks for this recipe Looking forward to try it.
Yes, to both Abigail..
Can I replace ap flour with rice flour? Thanks!
Hi Anne, I am not so sure if it can simply be replaced with rice flour as their texture are very different so it may have different results. I will be doing puto Calasiao soon and I will try to use rice flour for that.
Hi bebs! Been following your blog for recipes. If i’m craving for something, i always look on your blog first. Anyways, i tried this today turned out good but it’s yellowish. What do i need to do yo make it white in color. Thank you.
It's most probably from the cheese you used. You can try adding a tablespoon of vinegar to the water for steaming. They say it makes it whiter.
This is by far the best puto recipe I’ve ever tried and my family loves it. It is staple in our kitchen now. No one can beat this puto recipe, Ms. Bebs! Keep shining Queen!✨
Wow! Thanks for your lovely comment, Joojoo!
I always had a hard time finding a good recipe of puto , I must say this one is the best!
Glad yu like it!
Hi!! Will the recipe change too much if I add a bit more butter? My kids love the taste of butter and I’m new to baking? Also, if I want to add a bit of salted egg on top, when do I add it? Thank you!!!
You can add a bit more butter, sure. As for the salted eggs, add it just before they are done steaming so it stays on top and won't swim to the bottom.
Hi Ma'am what kind of Gouda should i use? I tried several cheese na like velveeta. Ang asim ng puto huhuhu. There's no Eden kasi here in canada kaya im trying to look for a cheese na swaswak sa puto 🙁
This recipe is beyond. I love the outcome. It's so delicious. Better than the ones sold in the market. Thank you so much for posting this recipe.
P.S. It's my first time to cook puto. Glad I used your recipe.
That is so great to hear, Mish! Happy that you like our recipe.
good am po i ck kakanin on special occasions n by d boxes only nw wd a new twist i hope u r dat who can get us 2 quit it they lk it plain n many successes already hw u make my days 2 lists ever c u bye god bless r land
i love this recipe! IMO, this is better than goldilocks’ puto! i’m going to try it with ube extract and pandan extract to make a purple and green puto, do you have a suggestion on how much i should put? i’m actually just trying to achieve a green and purple color for my daughter’s birthday next week. i tried putting red and blue food coloring on the batch i made to make it purple but it didnt work...i didnt want to add too much food coloring as im not sure if it will affect the taste of the puto
It depends on what kind of food coloring as the intensity varies from powder or liquid type, and also from brand to brand. I suggest just adding a bit first and mix then adjust as you get the hue that you like.
the best puto cheese recipe. My minnesota family and co workers love it. Thank you!
Is it possible I could freeze the puto cheese? Or how long do I have to keep it in the fridge? How many minutes I have to warm it in the microwave?
Hi Angie, happy to know that you all loved our puto cheese recipe. As for freezing, I do not thing it freeze well but you can refrigerate it for some days and re-steam.
Thia looks easy, wow! But can i use oil to mix in the puto instead of butter?
Hi Anne, butter adds a delicious flavor but oil will do the work as well, just less the buttery taste.
This is the best! Very moist and milky!!!
Thanks for your short but sweet comment, Mae.
My son has an egg allergy, so if I omit it, what can I replace it with? Or can I just leave it out without any problem?
Thanks!
It might not be as soft and the taste is not the same but should still work.
To all the puto cheese recipe i tried, this is the best! . It’s very good taste.
I let my Japanese husband and in-laws to taste it and they really love it. 😊
My toddlers love it too, they just eat 3 pieces straight😂
That is so sweet of you to say, Cindy! Glad your Japanese family loves it too!
Used your recipe in making my first ever puto and the outcome was amazing. My children loved them. Thank you so much.
You are welcome, Annie. Glad your family liked it.
Thank you for this wonderful recipe! I followed it to the letter and the result was superb!
Thanks for the feedback, Marion...great to hear...
Hi, can I make the batter and fridge it and bake it tomorrow morning? Thanks
If you do, just add the baking powder before you steam it.
The best puto recipe. I have loads of left over evaporated* milk, I guess the puto tasted better with e*/milk.
My only mistakes 😂 that I made was the water on the steamer was boiling so my puto was like a souffle and I did not slice the cheese thinly to melt. MY MISTAKE. 🤦♀️🤣
but overall, the recipe is deliciously amazing.
Big fan of your page Bes❤
xPing
Thanks for your wonderful message, Ping. Mistakes just make us better, as long as we learn from them 😉. Believe me, I had my share of them doing and testing recipes.
This puto tastes perfect every time I make it! If I wanted to make ube puto, can I use this same recipe?
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe!
Hi Kristina, if you will use liquid ube flavor, sure just add it to the batter.
Hi there
I want to make plain puto, do I just not put any cheese? Will I still get best result?
Thank you!!!
Hi Lyn, yes basically it would taste like puto.
Can you use the steam function of a rice cooker?
Hi, the only problem I see using a rice cooker is you do not have control over the heat. Try to avoid having the water in a rolling boil or it will give you uneven rise.
This is the best recipe for puto cheese i have come across! i made it, fed my husband (he's Aussie and he Loooooooved it!) and shared the recipe to my sister back in PH. The whole family just loved it. I followed all recipe ingredients and instructions. This is really awesome!
That is so nice of you to say, Chat. Glad you all liked it.
Can i use plain flour for this instead of all purpose flour?
It is the same, Cathlea, only called different names depending on where you are.
Hi Bebs i will try to do this recipe but is it ok i use saff instead of baking powder?
Saff? You mean the SAF brand of yeast? If yes, then the answer is no.
Hello! Is there any difference if I use fresh milk instead of evaporated milk? Thanks.
There would be some difference as evaporated milk is thicker and taste different too. But it should still be ok.
Will this work if I use brown sugar or coco sugar?
It will have a brown color but should still work.
I put Chiz Whiz instead of 1/4 cup grated cheese and it turned out like Kutsinta. Is the chiz whiz the reason?
Most probably but I also never heard of kutsinta made from Chiz Whiz.😉
Hi! I used this recipe as a guide to make my first ever puto from scratch. They turned out so good. But I used all purpose flour. Are you supposed to use rice flour?
I also use APF, ground rice is used traditionally. But that is made a bit differently.
Hello!
I used your recipe to make puto for my boyfriend’s family and they all loved it! The puto is so delicious and moist. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe! I’m going to try to bake your ube pandesal recipe next!
Glad you all like it. Thanks for the great review.