Special Bibingka Pancakes

This delicious hotcake recipe with a festive twist is brought to you by my collaboration with Mekeni Food Corporation. All opinions are my own.

Elevate your Christmas celebrations with Special Bibingka Pancakes. Soft, fluffy, and topped with salted egg and ham, they're the best breakfast to wake up to on a Yuletide morning. Plus, the batter works in the oven, too, for a classic bibingka treat!

It's the holiday season, and there's nothing more synonymous with Filipino Christmas celebrations than bibingka. What can be a better after-Misa de Gallo treat than a generous cup of rich tsokolate or peppery salabat and this beloved rice cake, warm and fresh from the terra-cotta pot, slathered with margarine and topped with grated coconut?

How about bibingka-inspired hotcakes garnished with salted eggs and premium Mekeni deli ham? Better yet, how about hotcakes you can easily make on the stovetop and classic bibingka in the oven using one simple rice batter?

Ingredient notes

• Rice and all-purpose flour- no need to soak and grind rice grains. This easy batter recipe uses ready-made flour for quick and easy preparation.
• Sugar- adds sweetness. Feel free to adjust according to taste.
• Baking powder- leavening agent to give the batter rise for a light and airy texture
• Salt- balances the flavors
• Coconut milk- adds richness. You can substitute it with evaporated milk
• Eggs- add moisture and structure.
• Oil- for a moist and tender crumb

While pancakes are delicious, topping them with slices of salted eggs and ham takes them to the next level. Ham may not be a traditional addition, but its sweet-savory flavors add another layer of yum to these Filipino rice cakes.

If you're looking for the best ham choice, Mekeni Christmas Hams are available in select supermarkets, wet markets, and Mekeni food outlets. As one of the leading food manufacturers in the country, Mekeni has made it its mission to provide high-quality Christmas Hams at an affordable price. From sweet and juicy varieties to more affordable options and healthier variants, there's a perfect ham for your holiday needs!

For more tasty ways to use your Mekeni Deli Premium Ham, check out this tasty ham sandwich spread.

Two-way Bibingka

This batter is super easy to make. Just combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir until smooth. You can bake it in the oven into a bibingka or on the stovetop into hotcakes!

For the Bibingka Hotcakes

1. Heat a pan over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter. Pour ¼ cups of the batter into the pan.
2. When bubbles form, top with sliced salted duck egg and Mekeni Deli ham. Cook until bubbles pop and the edges dry, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and place on serving plates.
3. Brush with margarine or butter and sprinkle with brown sugar. Garnish with grated mature coconut and shredded cheese.

For the Oven-baked Bibingka muffin

1. Pour batter into banana leaf-lined molds up to ¾ full and bake in a preheated 375F/190C oven for about 5 minutes.
2. Remove from the oven and top with sliced salted duck egg and Mekeni Deli ham. Continue to bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and place on serving plates.
3. Brush with margarine or butter and sprinkle with brown sugar. Garnish with grated mature coconut and shredded cheese.

Pro tip:

To achieve the characteristic charring obtained from cooking in clay pots, broil the bibingka for about 1 to 2 minutes after it has been set.

How to serve and store

• Serve the bibingka pancakes for breakfast with your choice of toppings. You can drizzle them with some honey, maple, or pancake syrup to add a touch of sweetness. You can also top them with a whipped cream dollop and fresh fruit, such as berries or mangoes. Enjoy the hotcakes with a hot cup of tsokolate or ginger tea for a classic Christmas treat!
• Transfer to a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For best results, store the coconut and cheese toppings separately. Reheat in the microwave at 20 to 30-second intervals until soft and warm.