Go Back
+ servings
Bika Ambon Recipe

Bika Ambon Recipe

Experience the delightful combination of rich coconut milk, aromatic spices, and the signature honeycomb texture of Bika Ambon—a truly unique and flavorful treat. Perfect for celebrations or a comforting afternoon snack, this cake brings a taste of Indonesia to your table.
Print Pin
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Indonesian
Keyword: Bika Ambon Recipe
Prep Time: 4 hours
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 peoples

Ingredients

Coconut Milk Mixture

  • 250 ml coconut cream
  • 140 g granulated sugar
  • 20 kaffir lime leaves
  • 1 stalk lemongrass bruised and cut
  • 1 pandan leaf
  • ¾ tsp ground turmeric

Yeast Mixture

  • 1 tsp dry instant yeast
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • ½ tbsp sugar
  • 50 ml warm water ~40°C

Cake Batter

  • 4 eggs ~180 g without shells
  • 90 g tapioca flour ~⅔ cup
  • ½ tsp sea salt

Instructions

Coconut Milk Mixture

  • Combine all the ingredients for the coconut milk mixture in a pot. Heat gently over low heat, stirring constantly, until it begins to simmer. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes to steep the spices, ensuring it does not boil. Remove from heat, strain to discard the spices, and set aside to cool.

Yeast Mixture

  • In a small bowl, mix the yeast, flour, sugar, and warm water. Stir until smooth with no lumps. Let the mixture sit for 15–20 minutes until the yeast blooms.

Cake Batter

  • Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl and gently mix with a whisk or fork until just combined. Avoid whipping air into the eggs to keep the batter light.
  • Sift the tapioca flour and mix it with the salt. Gradually incorporate the flour mixture into the eggs in two parts, alternating with the cooled coconut milk mixture. Use a spatula to combine the ingredients thoroughly, ensuring no lumps remain.
  • Add the yeast mixture and stir gently until just mixed. Strain the batter to remove any lumps and leave it to ferment in a warm place, such as an oven, for 3 hours.

Baking Process

  • Stir the batter to reincorporate the settled flour when ready to bake. Let it rest for 5 minutes to settle again. Line a baking tin with parchment paper and pour the batter through a sieve into the prepared tin.
  • Place a hot plate over medium heat (~180°C) and cover it with a layer of foil to diffuse the heat. Place the baking tin on the hot plate and cook for 90 minutes. In the first 10–15 minutes, bubbles should appear in the batter. If not, slightly increase the heat. Continue cooking until the edges are crisp and the top stops bubbling but remains slightly wet.
  • Preheat the oven to 180°C. Transfer the baking tin to the oven and bake for 2–3 minutes until the top is golden and spongy.
  • Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool in the tin. Once cooled, take it out, remove the parchment paper, slice, and serve. Enjoy this unique and aromatic treat!