Cheese Puto
A light and fluffy steamed rice cake topped with a slice of cheese
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 egg (large)
- ½ cup milk (evaporated or fresh)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp butter -melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup grated cheese
- 10 strips cheese (use for topping)
- 1 tbsp butter or oil (for brushing the molds)
Instructions
- Combine flour, sugar, and baking powder in a mixing bowl until they're well incorporated
- Add the milk and egg to the bowl then mix using a whisk or electric mixer at a medium speed until the batter becomes smooth.
- Pour the water, butter, and vanilla extract then stir until the ingredients are well mixed.
- Add the grated cheese and slowly fold it into the mixture using a spatula or spoon.
- Grease each mold with butter and fill the molds with batter up to ¾ full.
- On a very low heat, fill the bottom of the steamer with water and bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Place the molds in the steamer basket and steam for about 10 to 12 minutes. You can check if they are ready by sticking a toothpick in the middle and seeing if it comes off clean.
- Remove the lid and add a strip of cheese on top of each puto. Cover the steamer and let the puto steam for another minute or two until cheese melts.
- Turn off heat and let the puto rest until they are slightly cooled down.
- Remove the cooked Puto Cheese from the molds and transfer to a serving plate.
Notes
- Avoid mixing the ingredients at a high speed or you will end up with a puto set that's higher than it should and more airy.
- If you don't have a mixer, whisk at a moderate speed.
- To avoid water dripping from the layers to the puto, place a a cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel in between steamer racks and the top cover
- Another option for molds would be silicon cupcake molds.