If you are visiting Sabah, don’t miss the opportunity to try this delicious pastry called Kuih UFO. It is only available in Sabah. Kuih UFO is a local delicacy much loved by everyone in Sabah. It is also known as Kuih Penjaram, Kuih Penjaram, Kuih Pinjaram, or Kuih Penyaram. It is called Kuih UFO because of its shape. If you love Akok or Kuih Bahulu, you will like this kuih. To me, it is definitely in my Top 10 list of the best Kuih in Malaysia.

I’ll provide the recipe for Kuih UFO in my next post.

Kuih UFO is a traditional dessert from Sabah, Malaysia, known for its unique shape resembling a UFO. It typically features a soft, fluffy texture with a sweet filling, often made from ingredients like coconut, pandan, or various types of fruits. The outer layer is usually made from rice flour or glutinous rice flour, giving it a chewy consistency. Kuih UFO is often enjoyed as a snack or dessert and reflects the rich culinary heritage of the region.

Kuih UFO Recipe

Here’s a simple recipe for making Kuih UFO:

Ingredients

For the outer layer:

200g rice flour

50g tapioca flour

200ml coconut milk

50g sugar

1/2 tsp salt

Food coloring (optional)

For the filling:

100g grated coconut (fresh or desiccated)

50g sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 pandan leaf (knotted) or a few drops of pandan essence (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the filling

1. Combine ingredients: In a pan, mix grated coconut, sugar, salt, and pandan leaf. Cook on low heat for about 5-10 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is slightly dry. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Step 2: Prepare the outer layer

2. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine rice flour, tapioca flour, and salt.
3. Add wet ingredients: Gradually add coconut milk and sugar to the dry mixture. Mix well until you have a smooth batter. If you want to use food coloring, divide the batter into portions and mix in the color.
4. Steam: Prepare a steamer and line it with banana leaves or parchment paper. Pour a small amount of the batter (about 1 tablespoon) into the steamer and spread it out slightly. Steam for about 5 minutes until set but not fully cooked.

Step 3: Assemble the Kuih UFO

5. Add filling: Remove the partially cooked layer from the steamer. Place a small spoonful of the coconut filling in the center.
6. Cover with batter: Pour more batter over the filling to cover it completely, ensuring it’s sealed.
7. Final steaming: Steam for another 10-15 minutes until fully cooked.

Step 4: Serve

8. Cool and serve: Once cooked, remove from the steamer and let it cool slightly. Cut into desired shapes and serve.

Enjoy your homemade Kuih UFO!