Pro Tips

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**

- Sift dry ingredients like flour and baking powder together to remove lumps and aerate the mixture.

- Cool fried desserts on a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep the bottom from steaming.

- Toast nuts lightly before adding to desserts to deepen their flavor and aroma.

- For fried desserts, maintain the oil at 350°F so the outside crisps without absorbing excess oil.

Cooking Tips

Let the dessert cool completely before slicing or serving — many Filipino sweets set and develop their best texture as they rest. Use fresh coconut milk (gata) when available rather than canned. The natural sweetness and rich consistency make a noticeable difference.

Ingredient Substitutions

Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Store desserts in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Let chilled desserts come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.

Brownies

Brownies

Metro Manila, International

Dense, fudgy brownies — rich chocolate squares that are a Filipino bakery staple. Often made with cassava.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Total: 40 min Medium Serves 15

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit.
  2. Grease a medium baking pan with cooking spray. set aside.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine butter, oil, and eggs. Beat until well blended.
  4. Stir-in the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
  5. Pour the mixture in the greased pan. Bake for 28 minutes. Note: in about 20 minutes of baking, sprinkle the chopped cashews evenly on top and continue to bake until the brownies are done.
  6. Remove from the oven. Let is cool.
  7. Serve.

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Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Sift dry ingredients like flour and baking powder together to remove lumps and aerate the mixture.
- Cool fried desserts on a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep the bottom from steaming.
- Toast nuts lightly before adding to desserts to deepen their flavor and aroma.
- For fried desserts, maintain the oil at 350°F so the outside crisps without absorbing excess oil.

Cooking Tips

Let the dessert cool completely before slicing or serving — many Filipino sweets set and develop their best texture as they rest.
Use fresh coconut milk (gata) when available rather than canned. The natural sweetness and rich consistency make a noticeable difference.

Substitutions

Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious.
Store desserts in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Let chilled desserts come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
R

Tita Liza Reyes

Heirloom Recipes & Modern Adaptations

Tita Liza Reyes is a contributor to the UlamDaily editorial team. A retired school teacher from Batangas with over 30 years of home cooking experience, she helps document and adapt heirloom recipes from across the Philippines for today's kitchen.

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