Filipino Cheese Puto (Steamed Rice Cakes)

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Vanilla: Extract Easy

Filipino Cheese Puto (Steamed Rice Cakes)

Small, soft and fluffy steamed cakes made from rice flour batter, each topped with a slice of cheese that melts as they finish steaming. Ready in under 30 minutes. Makes 12 puto in about 40 minutes.

Prep 15 min

Cook 15 min

Cooling 10 min

Total 40 min

Yield 12 puto

Ingredients

Adjust yield

puto

1 cup (120 g)rice flour
⅓ cup (40 g)all-purpose flour
½ cup (100 g)granulated sugar
2 ¼ tsp (9 g)baking powder
1 pinch (1 g)salt
1 (50 g)egg
½ cup (120 ml)evaporated milk
6 tbsp (90 ml)water
1 tbsp (15 g)unsalted butter, melted
½ tsp (3 ml)vanilla extract
2 oz (50 g)processed melting cheese, cut into 12 thin strips

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Instructions

Prepare a steamer with water at a gentle simmer. Grease 12 mini muffin cups or puto molds lightly with oil.
Whisk both flours, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
Whisk the egg, evaporated milk, water, melted butter and vanilla together, then stir into the dry ingredients until just smooth. Rest 10 minutes.
Fill the molds about three-quarters full and place in the steamer, covering the lid with a towel to catch drips.
Steam over simmering (not boiling) water for 10 to 12 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean and the tops are domed.
Lay a cheese strip on each puto, cover and steam 1 to 2 minutes more until the cheese melts.
Rest a few minutes, then loosen with a knife and unmold. Serve warm.

Tips

Mix only until smooth; overmixing makes dense, holey puto.
Keep the water simmering gently for evenly domed tops.
Use a towel under the lid so condensation does not drip onto the batter.
Good with hot coffee or tea.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make filipino cheese puto (steamed rice cakes)?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, plus 10 minutes to chill. The recipe makes 12 puto.

How should I store filipino cheese puto (steamed rice cakes)?

Best the day they are made; refrigerate in an airtight container up to 2 days and re-steam 3 minutes.

Can I make filipino cheese puto (steamed rice cakes) ahead?

It is at its best the day it is made; prepare it a few hours before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 0.5 tsp vanilla extract (3 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Serve it with hot coffee or tea.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

124 Calories / serving

3.4g Fat

20.2g Carbs

2.9g Protein

9.6g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~1488 cal · 41g fat · 242g carbs · 35g protein · 115g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.