Palitaw

Delight your taste buds with Palitaw, a classic Filipino dessert that's as simple as it is satisfying. Made with glutinous rice flour, these chewy rice cakes are boiled until they gently float to the surface—hence the name "Palitaw," meaning "to float" in Filipino. Coated in a delightful mix of grated coconut, toasted sesame seeds, and sugar, each bite is a perfect balance of nutty, sweet, and creamy flavors. This recipe requires just a few pantry staples and comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an easy and irresistible treat for any occasion. Whether served as a midday snack or a comforting dessert, Palitaw is a must-try for anyone looking to explore traditional Filipino flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups Glutinous rice flour
• 1 cup Water
• 1 cup Grated coconut
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons Sesame seeds
• 0.25 teaspoons Salt

Directions

Step 1

In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds until golden brown and fragrant, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the glutinous rice flour and water. Mix until a smooth, soft dough forms. It should not stick to your hands.

Step 3

Divide the dough into small, equal-sized portions, about the size of a ping pong ball. Flatten each piece into a disc, approximately 2-3 inches in diameter.

Step 4

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Gently drop the flattened dough discs into the boiling water, making sure not to overcrowd the pot.

Step 5

Cook the dough discs until they float to the surface, which indicates they are cooked, about 2-3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess water.

Step 6

In a shallow dish, combine the grated coconut, toasted sesame seeds, salt, and granulated sugar. Mix well.

Step 7

Individually coat each cooked dough disc in the sweet coconut mixture, ensuring each side is generously covered.

Step 8

Serve the Palitaw at room temperature or slightly warm. Enjoy as a dessert or snack!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(787.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2072.3

Total Fat 37.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 620.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 416.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.8g	0%
Total Sugars 205.1g
Protein 22.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 60.3mg	0%
Iron 4.0mg	0%
Potassium 432.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 16.2%

Protein: 4.2%

Carbs: 79.5%