Irresistible Vietnamese Honeycomb Cake You Can Make Today Recipe
This irresistible Vietnamese Honeycomb Cake, known for its distinctive honeycomb texture and rich pandan flavor, combines creamy coconut milk, fragrant pandan leaves, and a delicate balance of sweetness. Baked to perfection in a bundt pan, this cake offers a unique chewy texture from tapioca starch and a beautiful golden color, making it a delightful treat perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 14 ounces full-fat Coconut Milk
- 10 fresh Pandan Leaves (or 1 tsp pandan extract)
- 5 large Eggs
- 1.33 cups Granulated Sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon Pandan Extract (double if using in place of leaves)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup Tapioca Starch
- 16 grams Single Acting Baking Powder (approx. one packet)
- 1 pinch Salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and place a bundt pan inside to warm for about 10 minutes. This ensures even baking and helps create the cake’s signature texture.
- Prepare Coconut-Pandan Mixture: In a blender, combine 14 ounces of full-fat coconut milk with 10 fresh pandan leaves. Blend until smooth, then strain through a fine sieve into a bowl to remove any solid bits for a silky batter.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently whisk together the coconut-pandan mixture, 5 large eggs, and 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar. Be careful not to overbeat to avoid incorporating excess air bubbles that could affect texture.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon pandan extract and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to deepen the flavor profile, mixing gently until fully combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup tapioca starch, 16 grams single acting baking powder, and a pinch of salt to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture carefully, preserving the batter’s consistency which is crucial for the honeycomb texture.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the preheated bundt pan and bake for 50 to 55 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top has turned golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 60 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack. This cooling step helps set the cake’s structure and accentuates the honeycomb pattern.
Notes
- Using full-fat coconut milk is key to achieving the cake’s rich and creamy texture.
- Fresh pandan leaves provide a subtle natural aroma, but pandan extract can be used as a substitute if leaves are unavailable.
- Be gentle while mixing to avoid excessive air bubbles, which can affect the unique honeycomb texture.
- Single acting baking powder is essential; do not substitute with double acting to maintain the signature texture.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before removing from the pan to prevent breakage.
Keywords: Vietnamese honeycomb cake, Banh Bo Nuong, pandan cake, coconut milk cake, tapioca starch cake, Vietnamese dessert
