The Deliciousness of Putri Mandi Cake, a Culinary Heritage of Central Java
Putri Mandi Cake is a popular traditional Indonesian cake from Central Java. Its unique name stems from its shape, resembling a princess bathing in sweet coconut milk sauce.
This cake is made from rice flour or glutinous rice flour, shaped into small balls, and then boiled until cooked through. The cake is then served with a thick coconut milk sauce mixed with brown sugar or Javanese sugar.
Kue Putri Mandi's characteristics include a chewy and soft texture, the sweetness of the Javanese sugar, and the savory taste of the coconut milk. These small, round cakes are often sprinkled with salt for a balanced flavor.
source image : tribunnews.com
This cake is usually found in traditional markets and at traditional events and celebrations. In some regions, Putri Mandi cake is also known by other names, such as jenang grendul or candil.
To make it, the unti cake is made from grated coconut, brown sugar, granulated sugar, pandan leaves, water, and salt. This mixture is cooked until smooth, then cooled and formed into small balls.
The cake crust is made from glutinous rice flour, steamed potatoes, salt, and warm coconut milk. The dough is mixed until smooth, then shaped into balls, filled with the unti cake, and sealed neatly.
source image : Rri.co.id
The thick coconut milk sauce is made from coconut milk, cornstarch or rice flour, sugar, salt, and pandan leaves. The dough balls are boiled until they float, then served in a bowl with a drizzle of warm coconut milk sauce.
Kue Putri Mandi (Putri Mandi Cake) not only offers a sweet and savory taste, but also symbolizes Javanese culinary traditions and craftsmanship, which are still preserved today.