Oven-Steamed Puto with Cheese: Yellow & Ube

A familiar Filipino snack, made a little differently in my kitchen.

For this merienda, I prepared two batches of soft and fluffy puto—one cheerful yellow batch and one fragrant ube-flavored batch—both finished with melted cheese. Instead of using a stovetop steamer, I created steam inside the oven with a hot-water bath. The result was tender, moist, and perfect for sharing.

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 egg
1/4 cup evaporated milk
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sliced or shredded cheese, for topping

For the Yellow Puto

Add 2–3 drops of yellow food coloring to the batter.

For the Ube Puto

Add 2 drops of ube extract to the batter.

How I Make It

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease the puto molds or line a muffin pan with liners.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and baking powder. In a separate bowl, combine the egg, evaporated milk, water, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently just until the batter is smooth and no large lumps remain. Avoid overmixing so the puto stays light and fluffy.

Divide the batter for the two flavors. Tint one portion with 2–3 drops of yellow food coloring. Add 2 drops of ube extract to the other portion and mix each gently until the color is even.

Fill the molds about two-thirds to three-quarters full. Arrange them inside a larger, high-sided roasting pan. Carefully pour hot water into the outer pan until it reaches about 1/2 to 1 inch deep, keeping the water out of the batter. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to hold in the moisture.

Bake for 15–18 minutes. During the final 2 minutes, carefully open the oven and add cheese to the top of each puto. Continue baking until the cheese softens and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let the puto cool briefly before removing them from the molds. Enjoy them warm for merienda—or add them to a family celebration table.

A Family Celebration Favorite

Puto has long been one of the Filipino treats I serve at our three-birthday family celebrations. It is simple, colorful, easy to share, and always looks cheerful beside the other party favorites.

Emie’s Kitchen Notes

Use hot water for the water bath so the oven begins creating steam quickly.

Do not overmix the batter; gentle mixing helps keep the puto soft.

Add the cheese near the end so it melts without sinking too deeply.

Watch the oven carefully when handling the hot-water bath.

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