Come along with me on a culinary journey through the world of Cambodian sweets! As we explore the diverse and vibrant Khmer cuisine, you’ll discover that desserts play a significant role alongside its savory counterparts. From street vendors to restaurants, there’s an array of hot and cold, creamy and baked treats waiting to be savored at any time of day.
Inspired by these delectable delights, we’ve curated 11 unique Cambodian dessert recipes for you to indulge in.
You’ll find sweet treats that can double as breakfast options, perfect for those who crave a morning dose of sugar. Our selection spans from traditional favorites like Cambodian Mung Bean Pudding to innovative creations like Noum Kong Cambodian Doughnuts.
Get ready to treat your taste buds to a sticky, custard-filled, gelatinous and glutinous adventure! With these recipes, you’ll embark on a sensory journey that will leave you wanting more.
So, join me in this sweet escapade and let’s dive into the world of Cambodian desserts together!
Cambodian Mung Bean Pudding
Mung Bean Pudding is a versatile treat that can be enjoyed at any time of day – whether as a breakfast option, a dinner companion, or even as a satisfying dessert. Its unique texture, which combines creamy and gelatinous elements thanks to the tapioca pearls, adds to its appeal. For Cambodian people, it’s a particularly beloved dessert that can even serve as a filling meal in its own right.
The pudding is crafted with a simple yet effective combination of green mung beans, tapioca pearl, water, sugar, vanilla, and a touch of salt. What’s more, the recipe is remarkably straightforward – simply boil the mung beans and tapioca together until they’re soft, then add the remaining ingredients and let it simmer. Serve it hot and indulge in the sweet, creamy delight that awaits.
Sankhya Lapov
Sankhya Lapov, also known as pumpkin custard, is a decadent delight typically reserved for special occasions and celebrations. This creamy treat boasts a silky smooth texture that’s hard to resist. Its flavor profile is characterized by sweetness, richness, and a luxurious creaminess courtesy of coconut cream and eggs. A traditional take on this dessert involves crafting the custard base and filling it into a small, intricately carved pumpkin.
The mixture is then steamed until it sets, transforming the gourd into a cake-like entity that can be sliced and served. With its simplicity and ability to be prepared in advance, you’ll find this recipe an effortless addition to your culinary repertoire.
Num Chak Kachan
Num Chak Kachan, also known as Khmer layered cake, is a unique dessert that combines rice flour, coconut cream, and palm sugar to create a distinctive texture. The gelatinous mixture is divided into layers, each with its own vibrant color. By layering these colored mixtures on top of one another, you can create a visually stunning dessert that’s sure to impress. What sets this recipe apart is its creamy, melt-in-your-mouth consistency, making it a delight for the senses. The best part?
You can customize the colors to match any theme or occasion, making it perfect for parties and celebrations. If you’re a fan of jelly-like desserts with a gelatinous texture, then Num Chach Kachan is an absolute must-try.
Coconut Sticky Rice With Mango
Coconut Sticky Rice with Mango is a beloved dish that’s ubiquitous at restaurants and street food stalls alike. The star of the show is glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk, which yields a sticky texture and a rich, sweet, and nutty flavor profile. This delectable base is then accompanied by a drizzle of creamy coconut sauce and juicy slices of fresh mango.
While mastering the perfect sticky rice requires some practice, the first taste will leave you smitten with the dish’s tropical essence, particularly the harmonious union of coconut and mango flavors.
Banh Ja’ Neuk
Banh Ja’ Neuk, a type of Khmer Glutinous Rice Ball Dessert, offers a unique twist on traditional boba. Unlike its tapioca-based counterparts, this treat is crafted with rice flour to create bite-sized balls that burst with flavor. The dessert’s success hinges on the harmonious union of two key components: the glutinous rice balls and the rich coconut cream sauce used to dress them.
When combined, these elements result in a sweet, indulgent, and satisfying experience that’s both oddly and playfully delightful. One of the standout aspects of Banh Ja’ Neuk is its mouthfeel – the rice balls dissolve with ease, releasing a sweet nuttiness that lingers pleasantly on the palate, much like the sensation of savoring a flavorful boba.
Cambodian Tapioca Banana Pudding
Savory breakfast or sweet dessert, Cambodian Tapioca Banana Pudding is an excellent choice for any time of day. This indulgent treat combines the warmth of cinnamon, creamy coconut, and ripe banana with a hint of vanilla, creating a rich and velvety texture that’s hard to resist. What’s more, this one-pot recipe is incredibly convenient – simply boil tapioca pearls in water and coconut milk, add a touch of sugar and vanilla, then top with caramelized banana slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
The best part? Enjoy it warm, straight from the pot, for an unparalleled experience.
Num Ansom Chek
Num Ansom Chek is a delectable dessert roll wrapped in banana leaves, boasting a unique filling comprising rice, coconut, beans, jackfruit, and palm sugar. The exterior has a satisfying crunch, while the interior is soft, sticky, and full of delightful surprises due to the unconventional ingredient combination. These bite-sized treats are traditionally served during Khmer festivities, such as the Cambodian New Year, making them scarce in local restaurants.
However, with this authentic recipe, you can easily recreate these sweet packets of joy at home.
Num Chet Chien
Indulge in the delightful treat that is Num Chet Chien – Cambodian Fried Banana Nuggets, a heavenly dessert where crunchy and gooey textures harmonize. These bite-sized morsels are typically served at restaurants and pubs as a decadent ice cream sundae. But what makes them truly special is how simple they are to prepare. All you need is a ripe banana sliced into pieces, which you then wrap in spring roll wrappers and fry until golden brown.
Serve the nuggets warm, dust with confectioners’ sugar, and pair with a scoop of creamy ice cream for an instant gratification of your sweet tooth.
Khmer Jelly Dessert
For those who adore jellies, Khmer Jelly Dessert is a must-try recipe. This visually stunning dessert boasts two distinct layers – one infused with the richness of condensed milk and the other with the creaminess of coconut. The striking contrast between the transparent coconut jelly and opaque condensed milk not only delights the eyes but also provides a refreshing and sweet experience in every bite.
The interplay between the coconut and condensed milk has a profound impact on both taste and texture, elevating this dessert to new heights. Moreover, the recipe is surprisingly easy to prepare, requiring only a handful of ingredients. What’s more, it’s an excellent opportunity to bond with your kids in the kitchen and create lasting memories.
Noum Kong Cambodian Doughnuts
In the culinary world, every culture has its own spin on the beloved doughnut. For us, a standout version is found in Cambodian cuisine, with the Noum Kong Doughnuts taking center stage. These treats boast a unique texture, crafted from rice flour and boasting a delightful balance of bouncy, glutenous softness. A lack of over sweetness allows the subtle nuances of sesame seeds and palm sugar glaze to shine through, creating a fascinating sweet and savory harmony.
One of the most appealing aspects of these doughnuts is the simplicity of their preparation – no yeast required! Simply combine rice flour, coconut milk, and palm sugar to form a dough that can rest for 60 minutes before being rolled out into doughnut shapes, fried to perfection, and finished with a drizzle of glaze. The end result is nothing short of magical, with the entire process taking minimal time and effort.
Num Treap
Num Treap, a popular Southeast Asian dessert, bears an uncanny resemblance to rice crispy treats, yet they share little in common. While traditional recipes omit marshmallows and crunchy rice, Num Treap’s unique charm lies in its use of cooked sticky rice, blended with coconut sauce and sesame seeds, then pressed into a dish to set. Once firm, the treat is easily cubed and served.
Its effortless preparation belies a delightful textural contrast: a satisfying crunch on the outside gives way to a luscious, sweet, and sticky interior. This versatile dessert makes an excellent party side dish, favor, or sweet treat, offering something for everyone.
The bottom line
Indulge in the rich flavors and textures of Cambodian desserts, each one crafted with stable ingredients. Ranging from nutty to fruity, gooey to warm, and even crispy fried delights, the options are endless. You may find yourself torn between choosing a favorite, but rest assured that every bite is worth savoring. To elevate your dessert game, try out these recipes and share your thoughts with us. Until then, happy cooking!
For more Cambodian food inspiration, explore our curated list of 30 BEST Cambodian Foods.
