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Palitaw Recipe

Palitaw is a term used to call a sweet flat rice cake that is eaten in the Philippines as a snack or dessert. Originally, grounded or pounded sticky rice is used to make this rice cake (called kakanin in the local language) – however, the practice of using packaged rice flour became common because it…

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By: Vanjo Merano 28 Comments Updated: 9/2/18

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Palitaw is a term used to call a sweet flat rice cake that is eaten in the Philippines as a snack or dessert. Originally, grounded or pounded sticky rice is used to make this rice cake (called kakanin in the local language) – however, the practice of using packaged rice flour became common because it is more efficient.

PalitawFront

This is made by simply mixing rice flour and water until a dough is formed. The dough is divided into small pieces then manually molded into a ball-shape figure and flattened. The flattened dough are cooked in boiling water until they float – this is the reason why it was called as such. The name was derived from the Filipino word “litaw”, which means “to float or to surface”.

I should have made this yesterday but I ran out of glutinous rice flour; I needed to go back to the Asian store this morning to replenish my stock. Glutinous rice flour is still best compared to ordinary rice flour for this recipe.

On another note, you might notice a change in the language on the video. I’ve been receiving a lot of emails from our non-Filipino speaking friends requesting to use English as the main language. I thought of giving it a try to see if it will work.

Let me know your thoughts.

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your creations!

5 from 4 votes

Palitaw Recipe

Prep: 10 minutes minutes
Cook: 15 minutes minutes
Total: 25 minutes minutes
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups glutinous rice flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup sesame seeds roasted
  • 1 cup grated coconut

Instructions

  • Combine glutinous rice flour with water and mix until a dough is formed.
  • Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough then mold it into a ball-shaped figure.
  • Flatten the ball-shaped dough using the palm of your hands.
  • Boil water in a cooking pot then put-in the flattened dough.
  • When the flattened dough starts to float, remove them from the pot and set it aside allowing water to drip.
  • Combine sugar and roasted sesame seeds then mix well.
  • Roll the rice cake in grated coconut then in the sugar-sesame seed mixture.
  • Arrange in a serving plate then serve. Share and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 4g
© copyright: Vanjo Merano

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Vanjo Merano

Vanjo Merano is the creator of PanlasangPinoy.com. His goal is to introduce Filipino Food and Filipino Cuisine to the rest of the world. This blog was the first step that he took.

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Recipe Rating




  1. Gladys says

    Posted on 3/29/23 at 8:03 am

    5 stars
    Simple and tasty!

    Reply
  2. Jocelyn Magpily says

    Posted on 6/14/21 at 3:34 am

    5 stars
    Thank you very much! My kids loved the palitaw!

    Reply
  3. Reysielyn says

    Posted on 7/29/20 at 10:19 pm

    5 stars
    Itatanong ko po sana kung normal po na magtubig ang palitaw kahit di pa siya coated with sugar? Or may paraan po ba para maiwasan siyang magtubig?

    Reply
    • Vanjo Merano says

      Posted on 7/30/20 at 10:01 am

      Since it was boiled in water, it will be wet. You can use a slotted spoon (spoon with holes) when taking it out of the pot so that water will drain. You can also gently tap with paper towel just to dry it up.

      Reply
  4. Andrea says

    Posted on 7/11/20 at 10:42 pm

    5 stars
    Proportion is perfect. I replaced the fresh coconut with desiccated coconut. I heat the desiccated coconut. Results are the same, with crunchy feeling.

    Reply
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As a huge fan of Filipino food, it is my goal to teach people how to cook it using the simplest way possible. Prepare your taste buds for an ultimate showdown of delectable Filipino dishes! Read more…

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