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Home > Recipes

Sapin-Sapin

BY :Bebs | Published: 05/12/ 2019 | Updated:07/23/ 2019 | 31 Comments

RECIPE VIDEO PRINT
4.91 from 11 votes
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Try this colorful Filipino delicacy, Sapin-Sapin. A dessert that will give you not only one but three flavors that you will surely adore.  Four, if you add the Latik, a yummy toasted coconut curd topping. Layered Sticky rice cake in white, violet and yellow with Latik toppings.

 

  • What is Sapin-Sapin
  • Sapin-Sapin Ingredients
  • How to Make Sapin-Sapin
  • Other Filipino desserts and delicacies to try
  • Sapin-Sapin

What is Sapin-Sapin

Sapin-Sapin is Filipino steamed dessert that is made of glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, and flavoring. Its main distinguishing factor from other 'kakanin' or rice delicacies is its multiple layers in varying colors.

Each color represents a different flavor. The word Sapin-Sapin, after all, means layer after layer in Tagalog.

The white represents the base flavor which is the coconut. The purple is for ube (purple yam) and the yellow is for jackfruit. It is also usually sprinkled with Latik, a delicious toasted coconut curd, made from simmering down coconut milk or cream.

Sapin Sapin with 3 colorful layers of Purple yam, Jackfruit and Coconut.

Sapin-Sapin Ingredients

The main ingredients for this delectable and chewy dessert are glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar. Traditionally, natural flavorings are added like jackfruit and ube halaya or purple yam jam.

But the modern-day and most commercially sold Sapin-Sapin tends to use artificial flavor. Most probably for economic reasons.

In this Sapin-Sapin recipe, I used fresh jackfruit and self-made Ube jam. Plus I added some macapuno (coconut meat strings) on my white layer. The result was very tasty and flavor-filled sticky rice cake.

Do not be tempted to add more of the good thing. I am talking about the jackfruit. The amount in the recipe is really enough. Add more and it may overpower the rest of the flavors and might result in a yellow layer that won't firm up even after steaming for a long time. Trust me on this one.

Sapin-Sapin Ingredients with glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, sugar and flavors like ube, jackfruit and coconut sport strings.

How to Make Sapin-Sapin

The process of making Sapin-Sapin is really very simple:

  1. Mix glutinous rice, coconut milk, and sugar together until smooth.
  2. Divide the mixture equally into three and add flavors to each.
  3. Steam a layer in a greased pan, one at a time, until all three layers are cooked.
  4. Let it cool down and transfer to a serving plate and top with Latik.

This Spain-Spain recipe makes about 12 servings or more. Because it is mainly made of glutinous rice, this dessert is quite filling.

You can also cut the measurements into half using the same size of pan with much thinner layers. This one is prepared in an 8x8-inch pan and the result was about 3-inch high.

How to Make Sapin Sapin with macapuno, ube and langka flavors.

Other Filipino desserts and delicacies to try

  • Cassava Cake - made from cassava roots (yuca) that has a creamy custard topping or try a simple Cassava Suman
  • Tibok Tibok or Maja Blanca - is both milk pudding
  • Kutsinta - small steamed sticky rice cakes with brown sugar and annatto
  • Pichi Pichi - steamed grated cassava covered in grated coconut
  • Biko - whole glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and brown sugar
  • Espasol is also made from toasted glutinous rice flour and coconut milk

Filipino Sticky Rice Cake with 3 layers, white, violet and yellow.

Filipino Sticky Rice Cake with 3 layers, white, violet and yellow.
Print Review

Sapin-Sapin

4.91 from 11 votes
Not only one but three flavors to enjoy! Try this Sapin-Sapin, a Filipino dessert made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, sugar, and flavorings.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Course :Dessert
Servings =12
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients
 

FOR THE BATTER:

  • 4 cups glutinous rice flour
  • 2 cans (13.5 fl. oz) coconut milk
  • 1 ½ cup white sugar
  • ¼ cup jackfruit - chopped finely - see Note 4
  • ½ cup macapuno (coconut sport strings) - see Note 1
  • ½ cup ube halaya - see Note 4
  • ¼ teaspoon violet liquid food color - see Note 2
  • ¼ teaspoon yellow liquid food color - see Note 2
  • 1 teaspoon pandan flavor - optional

FOR THE LATIK:

  • 2 cans (13.5 fl. oz) coconut milk - see Note 3

Instructions
 

  • Make the Latik. Pour contents of coconut cream in cans to a non-stick pan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Continue to cook while stirring from time to time until the oil and curd separate.
    Remove from heat once it becomes light brown. Remember that it will continue to cook and brown while it cools down so remove it from heat early enough or the latik would burn.
  • In a bowl, mix together the glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar. Keep on stirring until the texture becomes smooth.
  • Divide the mixture into three equal parts and place each in a smaller bowl.
  • Add the macapuno and pandan flavor to one bowl. The ube halaya and violet food color on the other bowl. lastly, the jackfruit and yellow food color to the last bowl.
  • Grease an 8x8-inch round pan that is at least 3-inch high with the coconut oil from the Latik.
  • Pour the yellow mixture and steam for 8 minutes over medium heat. Test with a wooden stick if the top is tacky but no longer runny.
  • Now, pour the purple mixture on top of the white layer and steam again for 8 minutes. Do the same test to see if it is done.
  • Lastly, pour the white mixture on top and this time cook for 12-15 minutes. Insert the wooden stick and if comes out clean, it means it is done.
  • Remove the pan from heat and let it cool down completely. Run an oiled knife around the sides of the pan to let it loose. 
  • Place a plate, lightly greased with coconut oil, on top of the pan and turn it over to transfer the Sapin-Sapin.
  • Sprinkle with Latik on top and serve.

Notes

Note 1 - I used sweetened Macapuno from the jar. You can also use fresh coconut strings, just make sure to drain them well before adding to the mixture.
Note 2 - I used McCormick liquid food coloring and this is the measurements I used to achieve a nice yellow and violet color.
Note 3 - You may also use freshly grated coconut to make coconut milk instead of using the canned ones. Here is the recipe.
Note 4 - You may also use artificial flavoring by using about 4-5 drops each.

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 1gFat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgPotassium: 21mgFiber: 0gSugar: 25gVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.1mg
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!

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  1. Cynthia Takahashi says

    August 25, 2022 at 7:41 pm

    The original delicious recipe I tasted when I was a little, missed this so much. Great job.

    Reply
  2. Ray says

    January 02, 2022 at 8:23 pm

    Hello - thanks for this recipe! Question though, the one I did has a lil but powdery texture when eaten. Is it because i undercooked it? Or is it bcoz of too much rice flour? I followed your recipe.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      January 04, 2022 at 2:55 pm

      It sounds like it is undercooked.

      Reply
  3. riza ❤️❤️ says

    August 01, 2021 at 10:04 pm

    5 stars
    Thank You for this recipe. It was really good. I just made it this morning and it turned out great. I just omit the coconut string because im not a fan of it but this recipe is really spot on.Thank You. And Happy cooking!

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      August 19, 2021 at 4:50 pm

      Glad you like it, Riza.

      Reply
  4. Sheila Q Fanuncial says

    May 15, 2021 at 11:09 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks Bebs for your recipe, its is really good but I have to adjust the coconut milk from 2 cans to 3 cans, and adjusted the sugar too. The rice flour is too sticky and not able to
    pour in the cooking pans. Since this is my first time to try this recipe, it's easy and I'll make them again. Next time I'll add the jackfruit, macapuno, and ube jam.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      May 16, 2021 at 12:46 am

      Yes, it is always tricky with rice flour, just like rice they have different capacities to absorb water and you have to adjust as needed. Glad you like it still and I highly recommend adding the flavors.

      Reply
  5. Gen says

    January 04, 2021 at 8:26 am

    Any replacement for Jackfruit? Just wondering if i use mango. Thanks

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      May 14, 2021 at 1:10 am

      It is not the normal flavor for sapin-sapin, but why not try😉

      Reply
  6. Portia Bartonico says

    October 11, 2020 at 10:18 am

    I made the sapin sapin. Are you sure you need 4 cups of glutinous rice? It is so thick and heavy and inside is not cooked. Can't take it out of the pan as a whole. Disaster! What did I do wrong? I followed the recipe to the T.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      March 23, 2021 at 3:28 am

      Hi Portia, how did you measure your dry ingredients? You have to spoon and level the glutinous rice flour and not just scoop it out directly with your cup.

      Reply
  7. Maylene says

    July 26, 2020 at 1:20 pm

    4 stars
    Hi Bebs!
    I love your most of your recipes and follow them so thank you much.
    I made this today craving for sapin sapin on a wintery Sunday afternoon. Made 1 & 1/2 of the recipe to come up with an 11 x 2 inch pan size. I followed your recipe but just adjusted to more colour flavouring. I noticed that the batter is too sticky and lacking firmness don't know if its the coconut milk to glutenous flour ratio. I decreased the sugar but its my personal preference.I also think it can use a bit more coconut cream or milk for much creamier flavour. It taste great though. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      August 11, 2020 at 5:17 pm

      Hi Maylene, you must be from Australia or New Zealand, if you have winter now. I can only think that it must be the glutinous rice. Like any other rice, some absorbs more liquids than others depending on the type and age.

      Reply
  8. Sarah says

    July 12, 2020 at 7:57 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe and all my friends love it
    I added a teaspoon on ube flavor and langka flavor to give it an extra richness 🙂

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      August 11, 2020 at 7:23 pm

      Thanks for sharing that tip, Sarah.😘

      Reply
  9. Jane says

    July 05, 2020 at 3:06 am

    Hi! Is it also possible to bake Sapin-Sapin in the oven if placed in a water bath? At what temperature and how many minutes should each layer be baked in the oven? Also, should it be covered so the water won’t get inside? What about baking it without the water bath? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      July 29, 2020 at 8:12 pm

      Hi Jane, I have not tried making it in the oven but I think it should work with water bath. Just follow the same instructions and check with a stick to see if a layer is done and not tacky anymore before adding the next later.

      Reply
    • Melissa Uminga says

      June 03, 2021 at 11:46 am

      5 stars
      I’ve made my sapin-sapin in the oven this afternoon in a water bath: a roasting tray with a rack inside, with about 1.25 ml boiling water. While boiling water, set the oven to 400 deg.F. I used a round cake pan, not sure about its size but it was the perfect size for this recipe. Cover with aluminum foil, pinching the side to seal.The first layer took 15 mins to cook, 2nd for 20 while the last took 25. Before adding the third layer, I refilled the tray with hot water. After turning the oven off, I let the sapin-sapin to sit in the oven for about 5 mins, with the residual heat to fully cook (inin) it. Some variations I made: minced nata de coco in lieu of coconut strings, roasted desiccated coconut instead of latik ( my coco milk was in the freezer, no curd formed). Everyone loved it!
      This is my first time to cook sapin-sapin. I’m glad I chose this recipe.
      Thanks Beb!

      Reply
      • Bebs says

        June 04, 2021 at 12:47 am

        Wow, Melissa! Thanks for sharing your oven (water-bath) version of this recipe. I am happy that it was a big hit!

        Reply
  10. Lani says

    May 25, 2020 at 8:14 am

    5 stars
    Substituted the sugar with coconut palm sugar, so the mixture was darker and had to adjust the food coloring too. Notwithstanding the darker color, it tasted awesome! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      May 30, 2020 at 1:13 am

      Great to hear it, Lani! Thanks for the perfect score!😘

      Reply
  11. Phoebe says

    May 16, 2020 at 7:52 am

    5 stars
    Hi. Can we use coconut cream instead of coconut milk? Will it be the same portion?

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      May 18, 2020 at 11:13 am

      Yes, you can with the same measurement.

      Reply
  12. Cristy says

    May 05, 2020 at 2:20 am

    I cannot open the note 4 as you have instructed on how to prepare the fresh ube to have the ube flavor instead of food coloring .

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      May 08, 2020 at 1:08 am

      It is not a link, Christy. Just scroll down below after the video, you will see the NOTES section.

      Reply
  13. Carissa says

    May 04, 2020 at 5:22 pm

    Hi. I tried doing this but with 4 cups (640 grams) of flour and 2 cans of coconut milk, it wasn’t a smooth batter. For some reason, it was like really sticky dough.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      May 04, 2020 at 11:15 pm

      Hi Carissa, flour and rice flour has different capacity to absorb water and it will not work with flour, it has to be glutinous rice flour.

      Reply
      • Carissa says

        May 13, 2020 at 1:40 pm

        Yeah, sorry. I used glutinous rice flour, not the normal flour.

        Reply
        • Bebs says

          May 14, 2020 at 2:27 am

          How big is you can of coconut milk. It should be 400ml each so that is 800ml in total. More than enough for just 4 cups of sticky rice flour.

          Reply
  14. Jing says

    April 26, 2020 at 7:31 am

    hi - I don't see the measurements for the food coloring in Note 2 - thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      April 28, 2020 at 12:51 am

      Hi Jing, it was intentionally omitted as different brands of food colors have different intensity. You just have to start with a small amount and add more until you get the color you like. Note that some food color tends to darken when cooked while others fade.

      Reply

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