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Make soft and fluffy Filipino puto at home—no yeast, no oven required! This easy steamed rice cake recipe uses flour, milk, and butter, with optional cheese toppings for a perfect merienda or party snack.
Puto are soft, steamed Filipino cakes that are lightly sweet and incredibly fluffy. They are traditionally served as a merienda snack or paired with savory dishes like dinuguan. This version uses baking powder instead of yeast, so the batter comes together quickly and steams in minutes.
The texture is tender and airy, with a clean, mild flavor that pairs well with cheese, butter, or flavored extracts like ube and pandan. It is a reliable, beginner-friendly recipe that does not require special equipment beyond a steamer.
Expect a lightly sweet, milky flavor with a soft, springy crumb. When topped with cheese, the cakes get a savory, salty contrast that balances the sweetness.
Whisk the dry ingredients, then add the liquids and melted butter just until smooth. Fill the molds and steam until the tops are set and springy. Add cheese after a few minutes of steaming so it melts without sinking.
Let the puto cool slightly before unmolding. Serve warm with butter or alongside savory dishes.
Use a bamboo steamer if possible; it reduces condensation drip. If using a metal steamer, line the lid with a towel or cheesecloth.
Do not overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the cakes dense instead of fluffy.
Steam over steady, high heat and avoid opening the lid too early. A sudden drop in temperature can cause the cakes to collapse.
All-purpose flour can replace cake flour, but sift it well for a lighter crumb. If you use all-purpose flour, consider adding a small amount of cornstarch.
You can replace evaporated milk with fresh milk or coconut milk for a different flavor.
Puto is best the day it is made, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days. Reheat gently by steaming for a few minutes or microwaving briefly with a damp paper towel.
If you are making a larger batch, keep the batter covered to prevent it from drying while you steam in batches.
These cakes contain butter and milk, but no egg. For a lighter version, reduce the butter slightly and skip cheese toppings.
Puto is economical to make and uses basic pantry ingredients. Using aluminum cups or small ramekins instead of specialty molds keeps costs low.
Can I make puto without puto molds?
Yes. Use small ramekins, silicone molds, or aluminum cups.
How do I keep puto from getting soggy?
Use a bamboo steamer or line the lid with a towel to prevent condensation.
Can I flavor the batter?
Yes. Add a small amount of ube or pandan extract for flavor and color.
Make soft and fluffy Filipino puto at home—no yeast, no oven required! This easy steamed rice cake recipe uses flour, milk, and butter, with optional cheese toppings for a perfect merienda or party snack.

In the absence of puto molds, use aluminum cups or small Pyrex ramekins.
Add ube flavoring or pandan essence for extra flavor and color.
Line a metal steamer lid with cheesecloth to prevent condensation if not using bamboo.
Steam until the tops are firm, about 10–15 minutes depending on mold size.
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In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
Add water, evaporated milk, and melted butter. Mix just until smooth—do not overmix.
Fill ungreased puto molds with batter using an ice cream scooper.
Place molds in a bamboo steamer to reduce condensation. If unavailable, use a regular steamer with a towel-lined lid.
Steam over high heat for 10–15 minutes. Avoid opening the lid during steaming to maintain temperature.
After 5 minutes of steaming, optionally add a small cheese slice on top of each puto.
Once firm and fluffy, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before unmolding.
Serve warm with a spread of butter or paired with Dinuguan (Filipino pork blood stew).
Store in an airtight container if not consuming immediately.
7/2/2025
Perfect with coffee in the morning! Will try pandan next time.
4/1/2025
Thanks for the tip about bamboo steamer. It really made a difference with texture!
11/8/2024
Love how simple this was to make without yeast or oven. A hit at our merienda!
8/12/2024
Tried this with ube flavoring and cheese—super fluffy and delicious! Thank you Chef RV!
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I made this for my kids’ snack box and they loved it—soft even the next day.
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Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 60g)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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