Wajik Pulut: Glutinous Rice Cake Recipe

(Updated Version)

Wajik Pulut, the dark glossy brown sticky Malaysian rice cakes, as I translate it. Made with white glutinous rice, coconut milk, palm sugar, and pandan leaves for a fragrant scent – these ingredients are staples in many Malaysian desserts (PULUT INTI RECIPE). Traditionally, Wajik Pulut involves steaming glutinous rice, then stirring it into a mixture of coconut milk, palm sugar, and scented with pandan leaves. Watching my mother prepare it taught me the patience required for this delicate process. However, I’ve simplified the recipe, reducing the amount of coconut milk and palm sugar to create a version that is still rich in flavor but not overly indulgent. It turned out well (SAGU GULA MELAKA RECIPE). How about giving it a try?

Wajik Pulut

Ingredients

For the Glutinous Rice

1 cup glutinous rice

Soak rice overnight and steam to soften.

Other Ingredients

1 1/2 cups thick coconut milk

1/2 cup palm sugar

Pandan/Screwpine leaves (as needed)

A pinch of salt

 

Method

Pour the coconut milk into a large wok. Add the palm sugar and a few pandan leaves knotted together.

Simmer gently, stirring frequently, until a thick syrup forms.

Add the steamed rice and mix until all ingredients are well combined. The mixture should remain slightly wet but thick.

Optionally, line a tray with pandan leaves for added aroma.

Transfer the rice mixture into the pan, spreading it evenly.

Allow it to cool before cutting into pieces.

Wajik Pulut Kukus Pandan/Steamed Screwpine Glutinous Rice Cake
Ingredients

Glutinous rice (as needed)

Pandan juice (blend some pandan leaves with water and strain)

Palm sugar syrup (as needed)

Coconut milk (as needed)

 

Method

Soak the glutinous rice overnight with pandan extract.

Steam the rice after draining the pandan extract.

While the rice is still warm, scoop some onto a plate.

Pour palm sugar syrup and coconut milk over the rice before enjoying.

 

With this simplified recipe, I hope to honor the traditional spirit of wajik while adapting it to fit the needs of our modern lives, all while embracing the principles of Zen wellness.