BIBINGKA - Famous Filipino Baked Rice Cake Street Food

Bibingka: The Sweet & Savory Treat That Signals Filipino Holiday Season

Craving Bibingka? Here's an Easy Recipe You Can Make Anywhere!

Bibingka, a beloved Filipino rice cake, is traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season and is a popular street food year-round. It's known for its delightful aroma and soft, slightly sweet flavor.

While bibingka is typically made with fermented glutinous rice flour and cooked in a clay pot over hot coals, this recipe offers a simpler version that anyone can try!

This recipe skips the fermentation process and uses readily available ingredients like rice flour, coconut milk, and eggs. It also eliminates the need for a clay pot by using a baking pan lined with banana leaves.

So, even if you're far from the Philippines or lack a traditional clay pot stove, you can still enjoy the taste of bibingka at home!

Beyond Convenience: Understanding Bibingka's Origins

The traditional bibingka recipe involves soaking glutinous rice overnight in water with "bubod" (wild yeast) or "tuba" (palm wine) to initiate fermentation. This process gives the bibingka a unique sour tang and a slightly spongy texture. The fermented rice is then ground into a fine batter called "galapong" using a traditional millstone grinder ("Gilingang bato").

This recipe offers a simplified version, using store-bought rice flour to achieve a similar texture without the fermentation step. While it may not have the exact taste of the classic bibingka, it delivers a delicious and satisfying alternative.

Ready to Bake? A Step-by-Step Guide to Easy Bibingka

Now that you understand the heart of bibingka, let's get baking! Here's a detailed breakdown of the ingredients and instructions for this easy bibingka recipe:

Recipe video:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup rice flour 
• 1 cup flour 1/2 sugar 
• 2 tbsp baking powder 
• 1/2 tsp sea salt 
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter 
• 1 1/4 cup coconut milk 
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk 
• 1/2 cup water 
• 4 eggs 
• 1 1/2 cup cheese 
• banana leaves 
• shredded coconut

Procedure:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice flour, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

3. Add the coconut milk, eggs, and melted butter to the mixing bowl and grated cheese. Mix everything together until it becomes a smooth batter.

4. If using banana leaves, cut them into circles that are slightly larger than the size of your baking dish. 

5. Brush them with some oil to prevent sticking.

6. Pour the batter into a greased baking dish or pie pan. If using banana leaves, line the bottom of the dish with one layer of leaves, then pour in the batter.

7. Top the batter with wedge salted egg.

8. Bake the bibingka for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. If using banana leaves, remove them from the bottom of the bibingka before serving.

10. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious bibingka! You can also sprinkle some grated cheese and coconut on top for added flavor.

What are the origins of bibingka?

The exact origin of bibingka remains a bit of a mystery, but there are a few interesting theories:

• Indigenous Roots: Some believe the name "bibingka" comes from the Hokkien word "bi," meaning "uncooked rice." This aligns with the names of other Filipino rice cakes like biko and bilo-bilo. This theory suggests bibingka might be a pre-colonial Filipino dish.
• Chinese Influence: Another theory connects the name to the  Mandarin term "bīng" (米饼) meaning "rice cake." This suggests a possible influence from Chinese traders who brought similar rice cake recipes to the Philippines.
• Spanish Influence:  The similarity in name and cooking method (layered baking) to the Goan dessert "bebinca" leads some to believe the Spanish might have introduced a similar concept during their colonization. However, the ingredients and overall taste differ between the two desserts.

Why is Bibingka Beloved in December?

Here are the main reasons bibingka is a December favorite:

• Christmas Tradition: Bibingka's sweetness and festive presentation make it a perfect dessert for Christmas celebrations.
• Simbang Gabi Companion: During the nine-day dawn masses ("Simbang Gabi") leading up to Christmas Eve, bibingka is a popular breakfast food sold by street vendors near churches. It provides a warm and satisfying way to start the day after a very early mass.
• Seasonal Availability: Coconut milk, a key ingredient, is more plentiful during the cooler months, making bibingka a seasonal treat associated with the holidays.

Overall, bibingka's deliciousness, cultural significance, and connection to Christmas traditions make it a beloved Filipino food during the December holidays.