🥨 Snacks

Vegan Lupis

Lupis is a beloved traditional Indonesian sweet snack made from sticky glutinous rice, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until chewy and soft. It is served coated in fresh grated coconut and drizzled generously with thick, caramel‑like palm sugar syrup. This fully vegan version keeps every bit of its authentic chewy texture, rich coconut aroma, and sweet‑warm caramel flavour — using only plant‑based ingredients, no eggs or dairy needed.

Shared by novi

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Time

70 min

Serves

Difficulty

medium

🛒 Ingredients

#For the Lupis Cakes:
500g glutinous rice, rinsed thoroughly
½ tsp salt
1 tbsp lime juice (keeps the rice bright white and firm)
2 tbsp thick coconut milk
Banana leaves, cut into squares and softened over low heat
#For the Coconut Coating:
200g fresh grated coconut (white flesh only)
¼ tsp salt
1 pandan leaf, knotted
Pinch of sugar (optional)
#For the Palm Sugar Syrup:
300g grated coconut sugar / palm sugar
150ml water
2 pandan leaves, knotted
1 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp water (optional, for thicker syrup)
Pinch of salt

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1
Soak the rice: Place glutinous rice in a bowl, cover with water, and soak for at least 2 hours (or overnight). Drain well, then mix with salt, lime juice, and coconut milk until evenly coated.
2
Wrap: Lay a piece of softened banana leaf flat. Place about 2–3 tablespoons of rice in the centre, shape into a neat triangle or rectangle, fold the leaf tightly to seal, and secure with a strip of leaf or toothpick if needed. Repeat until all rice is used.
3
Steam: Arrange the parcels in a steamer basket over boiling water. Steam for 45–50 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and very sticky. Remove and let cool slightly before unwrapping — they will firm up as they cool.
4
Prepare coconut: Mix grated coconut with salt and pandan leaf, steam for 5–7 minutes to keep it fresh and prevent spoilage. Set aside.
5
Make syrup: Combine palm sugar, water, pandan leaves, and salt in a small pot. Simmer over low heat until sugar dissolves completely and the syrup thickens slightly. Stir in the cornstarch mixture if you want a thicker consistency, then cook for 1 more minute. Remove pandan leaves.
6
Serve: Unwrap the lupis, roll each piece generously in the seasoned grated coconut, arrange on a plate, and drizzle with plenty of warm palm sugar syrup.