Seri muka kuih
This Malaysian dessert builds rice and coconut cream into a satisfying meal you can have ready in about 85 minutes. You'll find the full ingredient list (with a scaler to change the servings), 12 steps of method, substitutions, and ideas for what to serve alongside.
You'll mainly reach for pan and large pot. At medium difficulty across 12 steps, it's manageable with a little attention. As written, it's meat-free.
What you'll need
Shopping list (2)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
🔁 Unit converter
How to make it
- Soak glutinous rice with water for at least 1 ½ hours prior to using. Drain.
- Prepare a 9-inch round or square cake pan and spray with cooking spray or line with plastic wrap.
- Mix coconut milk, water, salt and the rice. Pour it into cake pan, topped with the pandan knots.
- Steam for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, fluff up the rice and remove pandan knots. Then, using a greased spatula, flatten the steamed rice. Make sure there are no holes/air bubbles and gaps in the rice, especially the sides.
- Steam for another 10 minutes.
- Combine pandan juice, coconut milk, all purpose flour, cornflour, and sugar. Mix well.
- Add eggs and whisk well then strain into a medium sized metal bowl or pot.
- Place pandan mixture over simmering water (double boiler or bain-marie)
- Stir continuously and cook till custard starts to thicken. (15 minutes)
- Pour pandan custard into glutinous rice layer, give it a little tap (for air bubbles) and continue to steam for 30 minutes.
- Remove kuih seri muka from the steamer and allow to cool completely before cutting into rectangles or diamond shapes.
You'll use: Pan · Large pot · Saucepan · Whisk · Steamer
Watch how it's made
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Ingredient substitutions
- Milk
- any unsweetened plant milk · ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water
- Eggs
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (baking) · 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg
What to serve with Seri muka kuih
- Laksa King Prawn Noodles Seafood
- Mee goreng mamak Seafood
- Ayam Percik Chicken
- Nasi lemak Seafood
Tips & common questions
How long does Seri muka kuih take to make?
About 85 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 12 steps and 9 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of milk?
Try any unsweetened plant milk. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Seri muka kuih vegetarian?
Its ingredients contain no meat or fish, so it's suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheeses for animal rennet if that matters to you.
Related recipes
Recipe data for Seri muka kuih via TheMealDB (open database). ▶ Video. Original source. Consomee adds the scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.