It’s no secret how much Singaporeans love our kuih, whether it’s the snaking queues during festivities or the countless versions of kuih-flavoured cakes and desserts. Though there’s a fair share of incredibly intricate creations, you’ll also find plenty of simple kuih (also known as kuih muih) recipes to try yourself as you whip up these sweet and savoury treats this festive season.
Show off your kuih-crafting chops with these simple kuih recipes for beginners:
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Table of Contents
Enter any Muslim household during Ramadan and you’ll surely be offered kuih raya to munch on after Iftar.
Most families try to make their own kuih raya as a bonding activity. Recipes used are usually decades-old and family-owned, having been passed down from generation to generation. But the end results aren’t just to feast on. Kuih raya is often exchanged with friends and family as a gesture of goodwill.
The idea behind it comes from berkat, a Malay word meaning “blessing”. In Malay culture, it extends beyond just wishing someone well, but includes sharing your good fortune through food and drinks.
Image credit: Singapore Food
We don’t have to wait until Ramadan is nigh to be crazy over ondeh ondeh. Replicated in everything from cakes to soft-serve, the rich and molten gula melaka filling makes it a sweet treat loved by Singaporeans of all ages.
Ingredients:
Steps:
Check out the full ondeh ondeh recipe
Image credit: kueppersbusch
If there’s one kuih that is most likely to warrant snaking queues, it is the popular kuih lapis a.k.a ‘sweet layer cake’, a light treat that can be indulged in at any time of the day. While it requires you to painstakingly bake it layer by layer, there is no greater satisfaction than making a Bengawan Solo-level kuih.
Ingredients:
Steps:
Check out the full kuih lapis recipe
Image credit: @tiffanys_tiffin via Instagram
Coconut and pandan are popular flavours when it comes to kuih, but for something unique texture-wise, kuih dadar with its supple pandan crepe casing and caramelised coconut filling might be the one for you.
Ingredients:
Coconut filling:
Pandan extract:
Crepe batter:
Steps:
Check out the full kuih dadar recipe
Image credit: Makanan Club
Another kuih that Singaporeans go gaga over is kuih bahulu, a sweet, fluffy egg sponge cake that pairs perfectly with tea and coffee. A staple for many festivities including Ramadan, this treat only requires a few common ingredients to make.
Ingredients:
Steps:
Check out the full kuih bahulu recipe
Image credit: Amcarmen’s Kitchen
A simple 2-layered kuih that is pretty big on aesthetics, kuih seri muka, or kuih salat as it’s also known, consists of a glutinous rice base and a pandan custard topping, with fragrant coconut milk notes that shine through.
Ingredients:
Glutinous rice layer:
Custard layer:
Steps:
Glutinous rice layer:
Custard layer:
Steaming the kuih
Check out the full kuih seri muka recipe
Image credit: Happy Dapur
We don’t blame you if you took a look at kuih talam and thought we’re repeating the recipe for kuih seri muka. But apart from the colours, the 2 kuih are quite different. With kuih talam, there’s a smooth pandan jelly layer topped with coconut milk jelly.
Ingredients:
Bottom pandan layer:
Top coconut layer:
Steps:
Pandan layer:
Coconut layer:
Check out the full kuih talam recipe
Image credit: foodpanda MY Magazine
Tepung pelita definitely takes the cake for cuteness – just look at the little custards nestled in banana leaf boats. Despite its deceptively simple appearance,this kuih is actually a 2-layered custard cake with a sweet pandan and a savoury layer.
Ingredients:
Bottom layer
Top layer
Steps:
Check out the full tepung pelita recipe
Image credit: @thelusciousbyamal via Instagram
Joining the bevy of Pandan-flavoured kuih is the flower-shaped kuih bakar pandan, which you can mould into a shape of your choice. Don’t mistake this as a run-of-the-mill pandan sponge cake as well – you can expect a chewy and bouncy kuih-like texture.
Ingredients:
Steps:
Check out the full kuih bakar pandan recipe
Image credit: Yummy Tummy
Kuih sago is a dainty and delectable treat made from sago and steeped in rose syrup for that extra perfumed oomph. Its texture is soft and chewy, complemented by the grated coconut sprinkled on top.
Ingredients:
Steps:
Check out the full kuih sago recipe
With Ramadan season now in full swing, now is the perfect chance to put your kuih-making skills to the test. With their 24/7 outlets and ongoing deals on groceries, make a beeline to your nearest U Stars supermarket to stock up on ingredients for your DIY kuih adventure.
With 27 outlets located in residential areas all around Singapore, those dwelling in Punggol and Bukit Panjang can take advantage of the wider choice of merchandise at the U Stars Megamarts situated in Sumang Walk and Keat Hong Link respectively.
Image credit: U Stars
U Stars will also be having a Hari Raya lucky draw from 12th April to 16th May 2021, where you can stand a chance to win up to $5,000 worth of U Stars vouchers simply by spending $30 or more in a single receipt and scanning the QR code on it.
For all the IG devotees and baking aficionados out there, don’t miss out on the #kuihliciouswithustars Instagram contest happening during the same period. All you have to do is upload a photo or video of your homemade kuihs and cookies, and share your recipe with the hashtag #kuihliciouswithustars. Better still, do the same on your Instagram story and tag U Stars Instagram page to double your chances of winning.
You’ll also have to follow @ustarssupermarket on Instagram and tag as many friends as you’d like for a chance to win $2,000 worth of prizes. These include highly sought-after appliances like a KitchenAid stand mixer, TEFAL electric oven and a Philips food steamer.
Till Hari Raya Puasa on 13th May 2021, you can also get your hands on discounted essentials whether it’s ingredients for kuih or household cleaning products. To make your Kuih Bakar Pandan, get 2 cans of Marigold King of Kings evaporated milk for just $2.95, and get a pack of Dasoon Kampung eggs at $2.95 each, an essential ingredient in most of the kuih recipes above.
Prices of products may vary, please check in-store for latest prices.
Other 2021 promotions (L-R): San Remo Pasta $1.95 each, San Remo Pasta Sauce $3.95 each, Fanta $3.80 for 3 with free 1.25L A&W, Topp congee $2.40 for 2, Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief (Smart White/ Extra Strength) $8.30 each.
Reward yourself with a well-earned treat at Joyfu Tea* conveniently located within the U Stars Keat Hong Link outlet. Bubble tea options there range from classic milk teas to one-of-a-kind seasonal creations like Nutella and Brown Sugar Katira – flavour-packed renditions of the Ramadan bazaar favourite.
While we look forward to bustling markets, light-ups and other festivities in the near future, you’ll be able to whip up a treat for friends and family with these simple kuih recipes in hand.
*Joyfu Tea at Keat Hong is now closed.
This post was brought to you by U Stars.
Promotions listed in this article may no longer be valid.
Originally published on 27th April 2021. Updated by Raewyn Koh on 6th April 2024.
Cover image adapted from: Singapore Food, kueppersbusch, puchong.co
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