Quick Answer: Best Indonesian Desserts
The best authentic and delicious Indonesian desserts are Getuk, Klepon, Kue Lapis, Dadar Gulung, Nagasari, Pisang Goreng, Lapis Legit, Wajik, Pai Susu Bali, Es Teler, Kue Putu, Ongol-Ongol, Serabi Solo, Kue Cucur, Wingko, Kue Lumpur and others. Read to know more.
In this article, we are going to present the best Indonesian desserts along with their easy-to-follow recipes.
Indonesian cuisine incorporates traditional local ingredients to create stunning desserts that are a big part of their culture.
This includes both the ancient practices of privileged Indonesian kitchens as well as the less expensive but super popular street ones.
Keep reading to learn more about these delectable Indonesian desserts!
Best Indonesian Desserts: Quick Table
| Recipe | Preparation Time |
|---|---|
| Getuk | 25 min |
| Klepon | 20 min |
| Kue Lapis | 1 hr 20 min |
| Dadar Gulung | 25 min |
| Nagasari | 30 min |
| Pisang Goreng | 20 min |
| Lapis Legit | 2 hrs |
| Wajik | 1 hr 30 min |
| Pai Susu Bali | 50 min |
| Es Teler | 30 min |
| Kue Putu | 1 hr 10 min |
| Ongol-Ongol | 20 min |
| Serabi Solo | 1 hr 30 min |
| Kue Cucur | 1 hr 15 min |
| Wingko | 1 hr 15 min |
| Kue Lumpur | 1 hr 30 min |
| Kolak | 30 min |
| Carabikang | 1 hr 20 min |
| Colenak | 45 min |
| Apem | 2 hrs |
| Nastar | 3 hrs |
| Kue Bugis | 1 hr 45 min |
| Kue Ape | 15 min |
| Cenil | 1 hr 30 min |
| Bubur Sum-Sum | 45 min |
| Bingka Ubi Jalar | 2 hrs |
| Martabak Manis | 3 hrs |
| Pukis | 1 hr 30 min |
| Kue Pancong | 1 hr |
| Dodol | 40 min |
1. Getuk
Preparation Time: 25 min
Getuk is an Indonesian-Javanese dessert prepared from cassava, which is boiled and mixed with sugar made from palm or coconut. Authentic Getuk is often garnished with grated coconut too.
You will find Getuk served on all special occasions in Indonesia as it is one of the most popular desserts across the islands.
DIY recipe for Getuk – >
2. Klepon
Preparation Time: 20 min
Klepon promises to satisfy your sweet tooth as it is a sweet rice cake similar to Japanese mochi. It comprises hot palm sugar bursting out of chewy pandan mixed with soft coconut.
It only takes 20 minutes to make and is so delicious, you won’t mind making another batch when you’re done with the first.
DIY recipe for Klepon – >
3. Kue Lapis
Preparation Time: 1 hr 20 min
Kue Lapis is a steamed and layered dessert with a unique texture that doesn’t break easily.
Often made with colourful layers, Kue Lapis is a common favorite among kids.
You can eat it whole or have more fun by peeling each layer off before you eat the Kue.
DIY recipe for Kue Lapis – >
4. Dadar Gulung
Preparation Time: 25 min
Incredibly tempting, Dadar Gulung is a rolled coconut pancake from Indonesia that will make your mouth water.
The unique green color is flavored with pandan extract, shredded coconut, and palm sugar.
Serve it with fresh strawberries and whipped cream for a colorful plate.
DIY recipe for Dadar Gulung – >
5. Nagasari
Preparation Time: 30 min
Nagasari is a Javanese steamed banana rice cake cooked to perfection wrapped in banana leaves.
This traditional dessert is made from rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, and sliced bananas.
You can also combine tapioca flour into the dough for a variation. Serve chilled for best results.
DIY recipe for Nagasari – >
6. Pisang Goreng
Preparation Time: 20 min
Pisang Goreng is a common dessert in East Asia and often sold as a street snack.
It is made of bananas, deep fried till golden brown; crispy on the outside, sweet and creamy on the inside.
The best thing about Pisang Goreng is that it only takes 20 minutes to make.
DIY recipe for Pisang Goreng – >
7. Lapis Legit
Preparation Time: 2 hrs
Lapis Legit is a layered cake made for festivals like Christmas or Eid.
This tender cake is full of aroma of spekkoek seasoning between its several layers.
The name itself translates to ‘a thousand-layer cake’. You’ll need plenty of eggs to whip up a batch of Lapis Legit.
DIY recipe for Lapis Legit – >
8. Wajik
Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 min
Wajik is an Indonesia cake made with sticky rice and palm sugar.
It is both sweet and sticky, and often garnished with cut pandan leaves.
The glutinous rice is cooked in coconut milk, which gives it a yummy flavor. The cakes are cut into diamond shapes.
DIY recipe for Wajik – >
9. Pai Susu Bali
Preparation Time: 50 min
This mouthwatering dessert is a Balinese milk custard tart.
The base is both crunchy and buttery that goes extremely well with the creamy custard.
You can make mini-tarts or a full-sized pie based on your requirements. Either way, it tastes simply divine.
DIY recipe link for Pai Susu Bali
10. Es Teler
Preparation Time: 30 min
Es Teler is a refreshing Indonesian dessert that can be described as an icy cocktail of coconut, jackfruit, and avocado.
Make yourself a cup on a hot day for a pick-me-up.
There are only three steps involved, nine ingredients, a prep-time of 10 minutes, and twenty minutes of cook time.
DIY recipe for Es Teler – >
11. Kue Putu
Preparation Time: 1 hr 10 min
Kue Putu is an Indonesian dessert, much similar to the South Indian way of making “puttu”.
The dessert is essentially a sweet rice cake, steamed in a shoot of bamboo.
DIY recipe for Kue Putu – >
12. Ongol-Ongol
Preparation Time: 20 min
Ongol-Ongol is another Indinesian confectionary originating from West Java.
It is made from a special type of flour made from mung bean starch (“hunkwe”). You can cook using a stove or oven.
DIY recipe for Ongol-Ongol – >
13. Serabi Solo
Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 min
If you like pancakes, do try Serabi Solo, which uses a dough made of rice flour.
For best results, use fresh coconut milk instead of the canned variety.
DIY recipe for Serabi Solo – >
14. Kue Cucur
Preparation Time: 1 hr 15 min
One of the most traditional Indonesian desserts is Kue Cucur.
Think of these as sweet and chewy fritters get their unique flavor from pandan leaves and caramelized brown sugar.
DIY recipe for Kue Cucur – >
15. Wingko
Preparation Time: 1 hr 15 min
Here is another traditional Indonesian dessert that celebrates the local staple, coconut.
Popular throughout Java, Wingko comprises a beautiful white chunk of sticky rice blended with fresh coconut.
DIY recipe for Wingko – >
16. Kue Lumpur
Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 min
The Indonesian term for mud cake is Kue Lumpur.
But unlike conventional mud cakes, these desserts are primarily made from potatoes.
You’ll also need flour, eggs and coconut milk.
DIY recipe for Kue Lumpur – >
17. Kolak
Preparation Time: 30 min
On the occasion of Ramadan, Indonesians often prepare Kolak for Iftar parties.
Kolak is a pudding-like dessert made with bananas, palm fruit plus sugar, and potatoes soaked in coconut milk.
DIY recipe for Kolak – >
18. Carabikang
Preparation Time: 1 hr 20 min
Carabikang is a colourful, rice flour cake very popular in Bali.
You can use canned coconut milk to make Carabikang and add rose for an extra touch.
19. Colenak
Preparation Time: 45 min
‘Dicocol Enak’, also known as Colenak, is grilled fermented cassava soaked in a yummy palm sugar sauce.
Enjoy is best with grated coconut shavings as a topping.
20. Apem
Preparation Time: 2 hrs
Apem is a very common Arabic dessert popular in Asian regions densely populated by Muslims.
It is a soft and fluffy mini-pancake with a tangy fermented cassava flavor to complement its sweetness.
21. Nastar
Preparation Time: 3 hrs
This is an Indonesian cookie-type dessert.
Nastar is best described as a round ball of double-baked dough filled with spiced pineapple jam.
It’s so good, many consider it addictive.
DIY recipe for Nastar – >
22. Kue Bugis
Preparation Time: 1 hr 45 min
Imagine a purple rice flour cake, sweetened by palm sugar and steamed in a banana leaf.
Picture a generous helping of creamy coconut milk on top for the perfect Kue Bugis.
DIY recipe for Kue Bugis – >
23. Kue Ape
Preparation Time: 15 min
Though these green pandan pancakes take less time to make, you have to be careful not to overheat them or they’ll burn.
Kue Ape only takes two steps and 10 ingredients to make.
24. Cenil
Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 min
Whether you have it as a dessert or a midday snack, Cenil’s sweet and chewy texture will never disappoint you.
The outer coconut coating goes wonderfully with a drizzle of brown sugar sauce.
DIY recipe for Cenil – >
25. Bubur Sum-Sum
Preparation Time: 45 min
A vegan variation to flan is the Indonesian coconut pudding, Bubur Sum-Sum.
Liquid Gula Java palm sugar serves a role similar to caramel sauce for the former.
26. Bingka Ubi Jalar
Preparation Time: 2 hrs
You just have to try the amazing Bingka Ubi Jalar, an easy-to-make cake that uses creamy sweet potatoes.
It’s unique orange colour looks great when drizzled with roasted sesame seeds.
DIY recipe for Bingka Ubi Jalar – >
27. Martabak Manis
Preparation Time: 3 hrs
Martabak Manis is a thick, sweet pancake that can be served with a filling of your choice.
Use a cast-iron pan to achieve the thickness without burning the base.
DIY recipe for Martabak Manis – >
28. Pukis
Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 min
Pukis is a street snack unique for its semi-circular shape formed by a mold.
It’s typically found in a wide range of colors based on the ingredients and toppings used.
DIY recipe for Pukis – >
29. Kue Pancong
Preparation Time: 1 hr
Coconut fans would adore Kue Pancong, the Indonesian coconut cake sold popularly on the streets of West Java.
You’ll need a special grill-like mold for the traditional shape and texture.
30. Dodol
Preparation Time: 40 min
Dodol is a very typical dessert enjoyed in various regions that were colonized by the Portugese.
It originated from Indonesia and is a special brown toffee made with palm sugar.
DIY recipe for Dodol – >
FAQs
Authentic Indonesian desserts use local ingredients like coconut, pandan, palm sugar, and fresh tropical fruits. Some examples of Indonesian desserts are listed below.
Pisang Goreng
Ongol-Ongol
Serabi Solo
Kue Cucur
Wingko
Kue Lumpur
Kolak
Carabikang
Colenak
Apem
Nastar
Kue Bugis
Kue Ape
You can find Indonesian snacks that are either sweet or savory, small, and light enough to be enjoyed between meals. The local words used for snacks include makanan kecil, makanan ringan, and kudapan.
A lot of Indonesian cooking uses the choicest of local ingredients cooked with fresh spices and herbs. As a tropical region, there are several exotic and flavorful components that add the uniqueness of Indonesian cuisine.
Street food is a big part of Indonesian culture. Some common snacks sold on the streets are as follows.
Pempek
Bubur kacang hijau
Siomay
Soto mie
Batagor
Mie ayam
A typical Indonesian lunch will comprise a cut of meat, vegetables, condiments with staples like rice and pulses.
Bottom Line
I hope you found enough appealing and attemptable Indonesian desserts in this post.
Let us know if you have any doubts, comments, or feedback after trying them out for yourself. We’d love to hear from you.
Don’t forget to share this information with your friends and family!