Kutsinta or kuchinta or even brown rice cake is a type of “kakanin” that uses lye water as an ingredient. Kutsinta is somewhat sticky yet chewey (thats what lye water does) at the same time and is best eaten with grated coconut on top.
This kutsinta recipe requires minimum effort and the procedures are so easy to follow. If your thinking of making something for merienda, this would be a very good recipe worth trying. Kutsinta is best served with grated coconut on top.
In addition, this is one of the most popular Filipino desserts to date.
Try this easy-to-prepare Puto Kutsinta Recipe.
Kutsinta Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 6
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup rice flour
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 cups water
- 1 1/2 tsp lye water
- 2 tsp anatto seeds
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients starting from the rice flour, all-purpose flour, and brown sugar then mix all the ingredients.
- While mixing, add water gradually and continue to mix until all ingredients are completely distributed.
- Add lye water and anatto water (soak the anatto seed in 3 tbsp water) then continue mixing.
- Place the mixture into individual molds and steam for 40 minutes to an hour.
- Serve with grated or shredder coconut on top. Share and Enjoy!
Nutrition
Serving: 6g
Joelen says
These look delicious! Although I’m not a big fan of kitsinta, I would definitely try this!
Beth says
Hi Vanjo, I tried to cook this recipe and got failed. The result is like tikoy not firm and it’s so sticky…Is it because I did not follow exactly your measurement? What cup should i am going to use?
Vanjo Merano says
Beth, please try to follow the exact measurements and procedure indicated in the recipe. Make sure that you use a measuring cup. I always use standard US cup.
Chica & Mike says
Congrats Vanjo!:) Thanks sa recipes!:)
toshi says
Hi kuya,
I just want to ask about the lye and anatto seeds? what is the exact familiar word name in tagalog? Hard to find here in the market.
Thanks!
Panlasang Pinoy says
Toshi, lye water is Lihiya and anatto seeds are atsuete.
Jinky says
kuya, i made this kutsinta recipe, my husband ( Canadian ) really likes it. he named it red puto. i just need to make adjustment with my anato seeds to get the perfect color. but, hey thanks for sharing the recipe. i will post the photo of my kutsinta at my site.
Panlasang Pinoy says
Did you use lye water Aniella?
neri says
Can I use baking soda instead of lye water? can I also do a water bath in the oven instead of steaming? How much baking soda if it’s okay to use and how much time baking?
Panlasang Pinoy says
I don’t think so neri. Baking soda and lye water are totally different ingredients. Lye water is sodium hydroxide while baking soda is sodium bicarbonate.
corie says
is it okay to use the atsuete powder the one that’s on the pack as alternative for the anatto seed?
Panlasang Pinoy says
sure corie
Panlasang Pinoy says
Nene, it is a type of flavoring. You should be able to find it in grocery isles where similar flavorings are located such as vanilla extract etc. If you are not in the Philippines, try looking for it in Asian stores (McCormick brand is the most common).
Panlasang Pinoy says
Did you use lye water, kathleen? Lye water is responsible in making kutsinta less sticky and firm. If you did use it, maybe it was not enough. Hope this helped.
Sheila says
Thanks for posting your recipes online and in youtube, anyway i have been looking for the kutsinta molding and i found it online on Amazon.com or either in World Market store here in the US. TheY sold it for $2.95 for 6pcs. just FYI. Its NOT really for kutsinta molding its a muffin mold but it is perfect as substitute if you can’t find any… Thank you Panlasang pinoy for all your recipe and great ideas! More power!
sally says
what happens if i use glutenous rice flour? does it have to be just plain rice flour? thanks!
jennie says
Hi Kuya,
What kind of molding did you used for kutsinta? Where can I get those tiny molding gadget? Is that made of silicone? And lastly what kind of steamer do you have. I have the generic brand only.I like your steammer though.
Jennie
malou says
wow! i really love to cook, im glad to discover your site,it really helps!
maria says
yes,lye water is poisonous in a long run if taken in large amount/or taken more frequently
Julie says
Hi!
Thanks for sharing this kutsinta recipe. I made this and it was perfect!!
Im happy with the result 🙂 God Bless and more recipes to share.. 🙂
Neil Bautista says
I tried this recipe and it turned out SUCCESSFUL, thanks! But instead of using LYE WATER I used 2 tsp of Baking Soda. Nice!
Vanjo Merano says
Thanks for the tip, Neil.
Lasty says
1 cup is equivalent to 250mL
Rose says
Where can I buy those molds? I looked online and cannot find them. I live in South Carolina.
Jimboy Seno says
thanks more power again awesome i can make this at home….
jocelyn says
hello kuya vanjo..tnx for your recipe kutsinta, i make it now hr in hongkong and its perfect and yummy…
Gina says
Can I use powdered Anatto instead?
Vanjo Merano says
Yes Gina, you can.
GIna says
hello there…. i’d like to thank you for posting this recipe.. i’m an avid fan of your site. panlasangpinoy.com . i followed the instructions of most of your recipes. and when some have tasted my kutchinta, they ordered from me. hehehe… thank you very much and God bless you more.
Chelle says
You listed glutinous rice flour in the ingredients but in the video you said regular rice flour. I just want to make sure what type of flour should be used from your recipe? Thank you.
Vanjo Merano says
Chelle, the printed represents the detailed ingredients. This should always be followed.
joana rose lucero says
Is it okay if i dont use anatto seed anymore? Wat is the of annatoo seed?
Anne rose says
Atchuwete seed po
ma.carmila says
Is it o.k. to cook this kutsinta without lye water? What will happen if i tried.. it would still be perfect kutsinta just like the one you did…?
Cristy B. says
Hi! I did everything and put them in a big bowl about 2.5 inches deep and 6 inches diameter. How come it takes so long to steam?
Lito Armea says
I am an engineer, but I love cooking. Pan lasang pinoy is such a great site where food lovers can enjoy spending time seeing, reading and learning your recipes. Many thanks , and it was a great help to people who wants to learn how to cook their favorite food.
Jujielyn galbizo says
hi! thank you this is the best because the important information i only need is the abbrevations thank you so much.by the way how about you try halo-halo because i need the abbrevations
thanks bye!!!
-jujielyn<3
Angelita guiao says
Cuchinta is a no rise puto. If we use baking soda or baking powder it will cause the cuchinta to rise so the result would be different
Jackielyn Marie Quemado says
What is the measurement sir if i use anatto powder?
Ronic says
Can i use vanilla instead of lye water?
Mina says
Hi Vanjo,
Your website is really very helpful! Keep it up!
By the way, I live in Singapore and I can’t seem to find lye water. What I only see here is alkaline water. Can I also use as a substitute for lye water? Many thanks!
Vanjo Merano says
Mina, please check the comments section of this article on Lye water. It might be of help.
remy baluyo says
Thank you so much sir vanjo for all your recipes, they awaken my desires in cooking…May God continue to bless you po.
Vanjo Merano says
You are welcome, Remy 🙂
DINA LYN LINSAO CORTEZ says
where can i buy lye water?
Joela says
Should it be cool before its serve?
Julienne Sayo says
This recipe worked for me!
Kapag feeling nyo prang tikoy eh tagalan nyo p ang pakulo. maari nyo din takpan ng foil pra nde magtubig un ibabaw ng niluluto nyong kakanin, akala ko nun una failed eh ,, ndi naman pala. thank u panlasang pinoy! favorite ko tong kuchinta