Buko Pandan

Buko Pandan is a popular Filipino Dessert; this is made using young coconut and Screwpine leaves (locally known as “Pandan”). At first glance, this sumptuous dessert can be mistaken for Buko Salad because of the similarity in texture and dairy ingredients used. However, the green gelatin which contains the aroma and flavor of the Pandan gives the distinction.

This is traditionally prepared by boiling several Pandan leaves until all the juices are released. The leaves are then removed from the boiling pot and gelatin bars (locally referred to as “Gulaman”) are added to cook until diluted in liquid.

The variation that we have here uses buko Pandan flavoring instead of fresh Pandan leaves. Since Pandan leaves are not always available in our location, I tried looking for alternatives and the flavoring was the best that I can find. I think that the flavoring is even better because it tastes and smells exactly like the Pandan leaves with an additional hint of buko. This also saves you some time and effort by eliminating the boiling process.

I love having this dessert with tapioca pearls that is why I included it in the recipe; you may also add kaong and nata de coco if desired. I also topped each serving with vanilla ice cream to make it more rich and heavenly.

This recipe is good for 2 persons; feel free to double or triple the ingredients to serve more people. For those who want to use fresh pandan leaves, try boiling 3 leaves in 2 cups of water. The liquid derived from this should replace the water and buko pandan flavoring.

Try this recipe and let me know your thoughts.

Yema Ball

Yema is a type of custard candy made from egg yolks and condensed milk. This is a common Filipino dessert and one of the easiest to make. The ingredients needed are readily available and this does not require a lot of cooking and preparation time.

There are several ways to present this dessert – the most common is the use of colored cellophane. The mixture is scooped and placed inside individually cut cellophane then manually molded until the shape becomes pyramid-like. Others roll the mixture until the shape becomes spherical and place them in a small paper cup or use some frill picks to go with it. Majority just eat it as it cools

Try this Yema Ball recipe.

Espasol

Espasol is a type of rice cake that is made of rice flour cooked in coconut milk. This cyclindricaly shaped treat originated from the Province of Laguna and is visible in almost all bus stops and “pasalubong” stores.

Like the other famous rice-puddings (or kakanin), there are various ways in making Espasol. I’ll be showing you one of the simple ways on how to make this fabulous dessert. Say adiue to your cravings and start making your own delicous Espasol.

Try this Espasol recipe.

Cassava Cake

Cassava Cake is a classic Filipino dessert made from grated cassava or manioc, a woody shrub where the starch that is used to make tapioca are derived.

Being a popular dessert, different recipe versions are available for Cassava Cake. This recipe is my personal favorite. Our good friend, Sharon, was kind enough to share this with us. I also got her permission to share it with you guys. I hope that you’ll like it.

Try this delicious Filipino dessert: Cassava Cake.

Crema de Fruta

Crema de Fruta is a Filipino dessert elaborately made-up of sponge cake, topped in succeeding layers of sweet syrup, custard, candied fruit (fruit cocktail), and gelatine. A mainstay during Noche Buena and the holidays, this dessert has always been a Filipino Favorite since time immemorial.

Preparing this dessert is quite complicated when compared to others but I can assure that your patience and hard-work will not go to waste. In my case, I started to record the video late in the evening (around 10 pm after arriving from work) and I am so thankful because my wife and kids helped out (or else it will take me forever:)). Also, it gave me a reason to wake-up early the next morning.

I’m sure that you will love this recipe.

Try this Filipino Dessert: Crema de Fruta.