You will absolutely love the soft and bouncy texture of this kue/kuih talam made with orange sweet potatoes. The slightly sweet bottom layer with creamy, rich, and slightly salted coconut layer are a divine combination.
Kue talam ubi is one of my absolute favorite Indonesian cakes. Due to the lack of oven back in the old days, most of Indonesian (or Asian for that matter) cakes are steamed. This kue talam ubi is another example of how coconut milk is used in pretty much lots of Southeast Asian cakes, desserts, and savory dishes.
WHAT IS KUE/KUIH TALAM UBI?
Kue talam is characterized by its two-layer look. The bottom layer is made with sweet potato. Sometimes you will see purple version where purple sweet potato is used. The mashed sweet potato is mixed with gluten-free flour like rice and tapioca flour, which you will find being used a lot in Southeast Asian desserts and cakes. The sweet potato layer is steamed first until the layer is set. The top layer is made with coconut milk combined with rice and tapioca flour too. This layer is then poured on top of the sweet potato layer and then steam until it is set.
SPECIAL INGREDIENTS USED IN THIS KUE TALAM UBI RECIPE
1. Rice flour
The rice flour contributes to that softness
2. Tapioca flour
The tapioca flour gives that bouncy texture to the cake
HOW TO MAKE SWEET POTATO KUIH TALAM
1. You can use 6 x 6 or 7 x7 inch tray, about 2.5-inch deep. You can use a tray somewhere around this size. Brush some oil at the bottom and the sides of the tray. Line the bottom with parchment paper for easier release later. I didn’t do that and don’t have a problem removing the cake
2. Steam sweet potatoes until they are fork-tender and can be easily mashed. Add the sweet potato and the rest of the ingredients in a blender or a food processor and blend into a smooth batter. 
3. Pour this into the prepared pan. Give the pan a few bangs on the counter to pop any air bubbles 
4. Place this in the steamer and steam for 20 minutes or until the layer is set and no longer wet
5. Place all the ingredients for the coconut milk layer in a mixing bowl and use a whisk to combine into a smooth batter. Strain the batter to get rid of lumps if necessary
6. After the steamed potato layer has been steamed for 20 minutes, open the steamer and very gently pour this coconut milk layer, starting from the side. Close the steamer and let the coconut milk layer steam for another 10-15 minutes or until it is set and no longer wet
7. Remove from the steamer and let the cake cool down completely before slicing. This usually takes 4-6 hours. It is best if you can cut it the next day
Did you make this sweet potato kuih talam recipe?
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My previous recipe for this kuih talam uses agar agar/gelatin to help stabilize the sweet potato layer. I have made a different version without using agar agar/gelatin and I’m very pleased with the result therefore I updated the recipe to this latest version on November 26, 2022.
Sweet Potato Kuih Talam (Kueh Talam Ubi Kuning/Jalar)
Ingredients
Sweet potato layer:
- 300 gr sweet potato peeled
- 300 gr coconut milk
- 130 gr sugar
- 113 gr tapioca flour
- 38 gr rice flour
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Coconut milk layer:
- 270 ml coconut milk 3/4 cup + 1 Tbsp
- 47 gr rice flour 6 Tbsp
- 32 gr tapioca flour 4 Tbsp
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
Prepare sweet potato layer:
- Steam sweet potato until they are fork tender and can be easily mashed. Mash until smooth while it’s still warm
- Prepare your steamer by bringing water to a boil. Wrap the lid of your steamer with a cloth to prevent water condensation from dripping on the cake. If you use a bamboo steamer, you don't need to wrap the lid
- You can use 6 x 6 or 7 x7 inch tray, about 2.5-inch deep. You can use a tray somewhere around this size. Brush some oil at the bottom and the sides of the tray. Line the bottom with parchment paper for easier release later. I didn't do that and don't have problem removing the cake
- Add the sweet potato and the rest of the ingredients in a blender or a food processor and blend into a smooth batter. Pour this into the prepared pan. Give the pan a few bangs on the counter to pop any air bubbles. Place this in the steamer and steam for 20 minutes or until the layer is set and no longer wet
Prepare coconut milk layer:
- Place all the ingredients for coconut milk layer in a mixing bowl and use a whisk to combine into a smooth batter. Strain the batter to get rid of lumps if necessary
- After the steamed potato layer has been steamed for 20 minutes, open the steamer and very gently pour this coconut milk layer, starting from the side. Close the steamer and let the coconut milk layer steam for another 10-15 minutes or until it is set and no longer wet
- Remove from the steamer and let the cake cool down completely before slicing. This usually takes 4-6 hours. It is best if you can cut it the next day
Storing and reheating:
- This cake is best served on the same day. The leftovers can be stored at room temperature for 2 days if it's not humid where you are. If it's humid, store it in an air-tight container and put in the fridge for up to 3 days. The coconut layer will harden in the fridge, simply bring to room temperature before serving or reheat in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or until just slightly warm
18 comments
Hi Marv, thanks for a great recipe – I made mine with purple sweet potato 🙂 I upped the sweet potato ratio but decrease the coconut milk, sticking to your recipe ratios…turned out perfect!!
Hi Teng, I’m happy to know that the recipe worked out with purple sweet potato too! 🙂
Hello fellow Indonesian! I live in nyc and talam ubi is one of my fav dessert. I tried this recipe but since I didn’t have gelatin I omitted it. Mine turned out soft, still taste good though. Is there a combination of the amount of flour adjusted to omit the gelatin? I see a few local recipes which don’t use it. Appreciate the advice. Thank you.
Hi Sylvia, without the gelatin, the texture will be different. I actually no longer use this recipe. I have made this kue talam using different ratio without agar agar or gelatin and I really like this result. Sorry I didn’t have time to update the recipe before. I just update the recipe with the latest version. I think you may like this version better. So much easier too! LEt me know what you think if you do give it a try again! Cheers!
Can it be placed in the oven with Bain Marie style? Will it work?
Hi Valentina, hmm…that’s a good question. I have never tried it steam-bake that way so I can’t really tell you for sure if it would work or not and I”m not sure what temperature to do that. Can you try to set up your own steamer using a pot or pan like this guy did https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H77eDjRQrpk ? He didn’t steam a cake, but it’s the same concept.
hello! I was looking for recipes for Indonesian dessert and happened to stumble across this page.. I have a question, if I do not have vanilla essence (sold out everywhere), what can I replace it with? or can I just omit it?
Hi Grace, you can definitely just omit the vanilla essence, it’s not big deal at all.
Was craving traditional Indonesian desserts and Indonesian food in general since moving to Michigan. Glad to have found your website. You made my life in Michigan easier knowing that I can make my own Indonesian food. This recipe is amazing and surprisingly easy. My mom was impressed seeing the result. Thank you!
I know right? I always think making kue talam is super complicated ha..ha..! but it is actually easier than I thought, considering my baking skills are subpar! You are so welcome and thank you again for trying 🙂
Looks yum!! If I use gelatin powder, will be the same 1/2 tsp? Thanks!
Hi Mei, it will be the same amount 1/2 tsp.
Que 1: if I triple the coconut layer, how much longer do I steam?
Que 2: if I steam in smaller ramekins, steaming time stays the same?
Thank you !
Hi Mae,
If you triple the coconut layer, I would say probably add another 5 minutes to the steaming time or until the coconut milk has solidified and no longer “jiggly”. If you steam in small ramekins, the steaming down would be shorter than steaming the entire cake like I did, 10-15 minutes will do for small ramekins. Hope this helps.
Sweet potato and coconut milk!? I haven’t tried this yet but I know I’m going to love it. Stunning.
Hi Tilly,
I’m sucker for sweet potato AND coconut milk, put them together and there’s no stopping me 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by.
So classy, so elegant! I can imagine a tray with half the kue talam just as you have prepared it here and the other half with purple sweet potato. Wouldn’t that be gorgeous? Especially if you make for Halloween. So much healthier than candy too! I love how Asian dessert use a wide variety of plants in such creative ways and are never overly sweet. Pinned!
A stunning looking cake! I wish I had a steamer!!!