As Eid approaches, it’s time to start planning the festive celebrations and what better way to do so than with some delicious and trendy Kuih Raya.
These trendy Malay pastries are an essential part of the festivities and are perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Whether you’re looking to impress your guests or simply want to try something new, we’ve got you covered with our list of 8 trendy Kuih Raya to make this Eid.
And our resident Insta-mum Che Ta Sintok definitely knows all the popular Raya cookie these days.
From classic favourites like Kuih Talam to modern creations like Tart Cadbury, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
So, gather your ingredients and get ready to whip up some delicious treats this festive season.
8 Popular Kuih Raya to Tempt Your Guests
Kek Batik
Brought over by the British during the colonial period, Kek Batik, originally known as the Prince William cake, remains a relatively new favourite among Malays during Hari Raya. This no-bake cookie is the perfect dessert after a savoury meal.
Ingredients
- 200 g margarine
- 1 cup condensed milk
- 1 cup Milo
- 4 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla essence
- 1 cup water
- 2 packets biscuits (298g per packet)
Instructions
- Melt buttercup over low heat.
- Add condensed milk.
- Add Milo and cocoa powder, stir until well combined.
- Add eggs (mix slightly) and vanilla essence.
- Add water and mix well.
- Add biscuits (break them into small pieces if you like) and stir until thick. Turn off the heat.
- Pour into a 10" cake pan. Press down to make it compact.
- Pour ganache over the cake and refrigerate for 3 hours or more for easier cutting later.
Fudgy Brownie
While not necessarily a Malaysian innovation, brownies are one of the newer kuih raya trends that is still going strong to this day. Full of chocolatey goodness, this fudgy dessert is truly a treat for all ages.
Equipment
- Mixer
- Oven
Ingredients
Ingredients A
- 300 g dark
- chocolate compound/coins
- 120 g butter
- 60 g oil
Ingredients B
- 150 g wheat flour
- 50 g powdered milk
- 70 g cocoa powder
Ingredients C
- 4 eggs
- 300 g fine/caster/powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla essence
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170 degrees Celsius.
- Grease a 10" baking pan and line it with baking paper.
- Melt Ingredients A using a double boiler.
- Using a whisk, beat Ingredients C until the sugar dissolves.
- Add Ingredients A and mix well.
- Finally, add Ingredients B and mix until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the baking pan and spread it evenly. Arrange walnuts on top.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes or until fully cooked (time may vary depending on your oven).
Kuih Talam
Kuih Talam is a two-layered steamed dessert that is popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. It has a slightly sweet and aromatic flavour and is often served as a snack or dessert.
Equipment
- Mixer
- Steamer
Ingredients
Bottom Layer
- 3 cups thin coconut milk
- 1 1/2 cups wheat flour
- 3 tbsp tapioca flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup if you want less sweet
- 1 cup palm sugar cooked with 1 cup of water
- 1 tbsp limewater air kapur
- 2 pandan leaves tied into a knot
Top Layer
- 3 1/2 cups thick coconut milk from 1 coconut
- 3/4 cup rice flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- a pinch of salt
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients for the palm sugar layer and strain.
- Preheat the steamer.
- Line a 9" baking pan with plastic wrap and grease with oil.
- Cook the palm sugar mixture over low heat until it is syrupy and slightly thick.
- Pour the palm sugar mixture into the pan and steam for 20-25 minutes.
- Mix all the ingredients for the white layer and strain.
- Cook the white mixture over low heat until it is just syrupy, do not overcook.
- Use a fork to poke holes in the palm sugar layer.
- Pour the white mixture and steam for 30-35 minutes.
- Then open the steamer lid and steam for another 10 minutes without the lid to dry the top layer of the cake.
- Let cool before cutting.
Blueberry Cheese Tart
This decadent pastry is not necessarily a traditional raya cookie. But Western desserts have definitely become popular delicacies during Aidilfitri. This blueberry cheese tart is no exception.
Equipment
- Mixer
- Oven
Ingredients
- 500 g cream cheese (let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes)
- 30 g butter
- 100 g powdered sugar
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 20 g non-dairy whipping cream optional
- A little vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine the cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar, and beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the egg, one tablespoon at a time (estimate 3 tablespoons in total), beating briefly after each addition. Beat briefly again.
- If the mixture is thick, add a little non-dairy whipping cream. If it's already smooth, there's no need to add whipping cream.
- Note: If you add whipping cream, don't beat it with the mixer. Just fold it in with a spoon or spatula. (No need to beat the whipping cream).
- Arrange the tart shells in a tray.
- Place the filling in the centre.
- Put the cream cheese in a piping bag.
- Cut the tip so that it's the same size as the shell's hole.
- Hold the piping bag vertically (90°) and place the cheese in a spiral and mountain shape. If you want it plump, pile it higher and fuller (1" only).
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 170°C (340°F) with both top and bottom heat.
- The tart is done when the cheese doesn't stick to your fingers when you touch it.
Mama Carrie Cookies
This cookie may seem like another generic kuih Raya, but it's a simple delicacy for when guests come and you've run out of your more fancy cookies.
Equipment
- Mixer
- Oven
Ingredients
- 250 g margarine
- 115 g icing sugar
- 150 g corn flour
- 300 g wheat flour
- 25 g powdered milk
- 1 egg yolk
For the Royal Icing
- 2 egg whites
- 175 g icing sugar
- 2 tbsp corn flour
Instructions
- Using a spatula, beat margarine, icing sugar, and egg yolk together until combined.
- Once combined, add corn flour and powdered milk, mix well, and then add wheat flour.
- Knead until the dough is smooth and does not stick to your hands.
- Then, roll out the dough and shape it using cookie cutters.
- Bake at 180°C for 15 minutes.
For the Royal Icing
- Whisk egg whites until frothy.
- Add icing sugar and continue to whisk until well combined and shiny.
- Then, add corn flour and whisk until smooth and without lumps.
- Decorate the cookies with the royal icing.
- Bake the cookies once more for 5-10 minutes at 150°C.
Strawberry Swiss Tart
Another classic favourite during Hari Raya, Swiss tarts are brittle, sweet cookies that children love to munch on. It's one of those cookies that can easily be altered to suit your own preferences.
Equipment
- Mixer
- Oven
Ingredients
- 125 g butter
- 35 g icing sugar
- vanilla essence
- 95 g wheat flour
- 75 g corn flour
- 13 g powdered milk
- strawberry filling
Instructions
- Cream butter and icing sugar until well combined.
- Add powdered milk and corn flour, and mix on low speed.
- Gradually add wheat flour. The dough should not be too stiff.
- Once well combined, put the dough in a piping bag and pipe onto a tart pan.
- Pipe strawberry filling onto the tart.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes at 150 C using both top and bottom heat or according to the suitability of each oven.
Tart Cadbury
Instead of a classic pineapple filling why not try chocolate? This tart is filled with delicious Cadbury chocolates. Definitely a sweet twist to the traditional recipe!
Equipment
- Mixer
- Oven
Ingredients
- 227 g unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 40 g icing sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 50 g corn flour
- 300 g wheat flour
- vanilla essence
- yellow food colouring
- Cadbury chocolate filling
- 1 egg yolk for egg wash
Instructions
- Mix the unsalted butter and sugar briefly.
- Add egg yolk, vanilla essence, food colouring and stir well.
- Add corn flour and wheat flour gradually and mix until well combined.
- Press the dough into tart moulds and place the Cadbury chocolate filling in the centre.
- Brush with egg yolk wash.
- Preheat oven to 150°C, using both top and bottom heat.
- Bake tarts for about 30 minutes.
Biskut Mazola
Peanut cookies are a common delicacy during Eid. If you want to make something other than kuih makmur this Hari Raya, try your hand at these Mazola cookies.
Equipment
- Mixer
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanuts roasted, peeled, and finely ground
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup icing sugar
- a pinch of salt
- Mazola oil as needed
- 1 egg yolk for glaze on the cookies
Instructions
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground peanuts.
- Gradually add Mazola oil to the mixture until it forms a dough that is easy to shape.
- To check if the dough is ready, form it into small balls. If the dough doesn't crumble, it's ready. If it crumbles, it means it needs more oil.
- Shape the dough into any desired shape, such as balls.
- Brush the egg yolk on the cookies.
- Bake at 160°C for 25-30 minutes, with both top and bottom heat.
Kuih Raya to Delight Your Loved Ones
Kuih Raya are an integral part of the Eid celebrations and making them at home is a great way to add a personal touch to the festivities.
With our list of 8 trendy Kuih Raya, you can explore new flavours and textures while still honouring the traditional pastries.
These recipes are easy to follow and can be customised to suit your taste preferences.
We hope that these recipes will add a touch of sweetness to your Eid celebrations.
Happy baking and Selamat Hari Raya with love from Motherhood!
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