Kue Awug/Awuk

Kue Awug/Awuk is an old traditional snack from Indonesia. This pink and white sticky cake is basically made of freshly grated coconut and glutinous rice flour.

Indonesian traditional dessert uses a lot of freshly grated coconut. There are many kinds of traditional desserts and they created them using coconut and flours like tapioca, rice flour, or glutinous rice flour.

Origin and History

Kue Awug/Awuk is a traditional dessert originated from Central Java. It has another name called Kue Sengkulun, Dongkal. Another spelling is awug-awug.

The cake is no longer popular among young generation in Indonesia but it has a historical background. This cake has existed since XIX century and was even recorded in Java encyclopaedia in 1814.

They served the cake with a cup of tea as offerings during shadow puppet show along with other dessert.

Variations of Kue Awug

There is another version of kue awug from Betawi, They use rice flour mixed with glutinous rice flour. In the middle they insert coconut sugar or palm sugar. The color is white and the shape is like a cone.

The recipe that I would like to share here is the one that I usually make at home for my family. I have reduced the sugar quite a lot from the recipe I got from my Javanese maid.

Kue Awuk Recipe

Pan size 16×16 cm 

How To

• Put in glutinous rice flour, sugar, and salt into the freshly grated coconut.
• Mix with a spatula thoroughly. Make sure the mixture is evenly mixed.
• It is a dry mixture, do not worry.
• Divide the mixture into 2 parts.
• Grease a 16×16 cm pan and line with parchment paper.
• Put the white part into the pan.
• Press lightly so the surface is flat.
• Put pink coloring in the other mixture.
• Mix well until you see the color is evenly spread.
• Put the pink mixture on the white one in the pan.
• Press lightly to make a flat surface.
• Heat the steamer. Steam for 30 minutes.
• Let it cool completely.
• Take it out of the pan.  Cut to your preference. I like them in small squares.
• Enjoy with black coffee.

If you would like some Indonesian beverage to serve with this cute cake, you can check out Butterfly Pea Flower Tea or Lemongrass Pandan Drink or Turkish Black Coffee.

Storage

Supposed you have some leftover from the small party you held, you can save them in a closed container in the fridge.

The next day or the day you want to consume it, you can reheat by steaming it again. Or just eat it chilled.

Kue Awug can stay fresh in the chiller for up to three days because it contains coconut in it.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: How do you tell Kue Awug among other traditional Indonesian snacks?

A: The color is usually white and pink or white with a little brown palm sugar wedged in between. This cake is usually filled with grated coconut, so it is quite easy to notice it among other snacks.

Q: Is Kue Awug vegetarian or vegan friendly?

A: Kue Awug is okay for both vegetarian and vegan.

Q: Where can I buy the best Kue Awug in Indonesia?

A: Kue Awug is widely available throughout Indonesia, especially in local markets and traditional snack stalls. In some place they might have their own variations, so it’s recommended to try Kue Awug from different areas.

Q: How long can Kue Awug stay fresh?

A: It can stay fresh in the chiller for up to three days. Please remember to put them in an airtight container.

Conclusion

Kue Awug is definitely a must-try snack from Indonesian culinary heritage. If you happen to be in Indonesia, try to get some from the local market.

If you live outside Indonesia, you can try the authentic recipe mentioned above. Don’t forget to check other recipe using coconut from Indonesia.