ขนมไข่ปลาใบเตย

ขนมไข่ปลาใบเตย – Pandan Fish-Shaped Egg Cakes (Beginner-Friendly Thai Recipe)

Introduction

ขนมไข่ปลาใบเตย is a charming Thai bite-sized dessert that combines soft, eggy cake with the sweet, grassy aroma of pandan (ใบเตย). Traditionally made in small fish-shaped molds, these snacks are perfect for parties, afternoon tea, or as a nostalgic street-food treat. This beginner-friendly recipe breaks the process down into simple steps so you can make authentic-tasting ขนมไข่ปลาใบเตย at home, even if you’re new to Thai desserts.

Ingredients for ขนมไข่ปลาใบเตย

• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 100 g granulated sugar (about 1/2 cup)
• 120 g all-purpose flour (about 1 cup), sifted
• 1 tsp baking powder, sifted
• Pinch of salt
• 80 ml full-fat coconut milk (about 1/3 cup)
• 2 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola) or melted butter
• 2 tbsp pandan juice (freshly blended and strained) or 1 tsp pandan paste
• Oil for greasing the fish mold
• Optional: a drop of green food coloring for a brighter pandan green

Instructions to Make ขนมไข่ปลาใบเตย

1. Prepare pandan juice (if using fresh leaves): Blend a handful of pandan leaves with 2–3 tbsp water, then strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to get about 2 tbsp of bright green pandan extract.
2. Preheat and oil: Preheat your fish-shaped mold (cast-iron or nonstick pan) over medium heat. Lightly brush both sides with a little oil and set aside on low heat so it stays warm.
3. Whisk eggs and sugar: In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened. About 2–3 minutes by hand or 1–2 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the sifted all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
5. Make the batter: Gradually fold the dry mixture into the egg mixture until mostly combined. Add the coconut milk, oil (or melted butter), and pandan extract. Fold gently until smooth—avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender. Add a drop of green food coloring if desired.
6. Cook the cakes: Place the fish mold back on medium-low heat. Spoon about 1–2 tablespoons of batter into each fish cavity (adjust amount depending on cavity size). Close the mold and cook for 1–2 minutes, then flip and cook the other side for another 1–2 minutes. The cakes are done when they are lightly golden and spring back to the touch.
7. Cool and serve: Transfer the cooked ขนมไข่ปลาใบเตย to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Cooking Tips for Perfect ขนมไข่ปลาใบเตย

– Use room-temperature eggs to help the batter mix more evenly and trap more air for a light texture.
– Fresh pandan juice gives the best aroma; pandan paste works well and is more convenient. Adjust amount to taste.
– Preheat and moderately oil the fish mold to prevent sticking and to get even browning.
– Cook on medium-low heat so the inside cooks without burning the outside—cast-iron molds can hold heat, so lower the flame if the cakes brown too quickly.
– Don’t overmix the batter; overworking flour develops gluten and makes cakes dense.
– For a richer flavor, replace part of the coconut milk with canned coconut cream (use sparingly to avoid thinning the batter too much).
– Try fillings or toppings: sweet coconut custard, pandan cream, or shredded toasted coconut for variation.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

These values are approximate and will vary by exact ingredients and portion size. This recipe yields about 10–12 small fish cakes (depending on mold size).

• Per piece (approx.): 110 kcal
• Carbohydrates: ~18 g
• Fat: ~5 g
• Protein: ~3 g
• Allergens: contains eggs and gluten (wheat). For dairy-free, use oil instead of butter. For gluten-free, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and test batter consistency.

Conclusion

ขนมไข่ปลาใบเตย is a delightful, fragrant Thai snack that’s surprisingly easy to make at home with simple pantry ingredients and a fish-shaped mold. With its soft texture and pandan aroma, this dessert makes a great introduction to Thai baking for beginners. Try this ขนมไข่ปลาใบเตย recipe as written or experiment with fillings and flavors to make it your own—happy cooking!