Pandan cake

Pandan cake, often referred to as pandan chiffon cake, is a delightful, light, and airy sponge cake celebrated for its distinctive green color and the aromatic flavor of Pandanus amaryllifolius leaves. This cake is beloved in numerous countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, China, and even the Netherlands.

What makes pandan cake unique is its use of pandan leaf extract, which imparts not only its captivating green hue but also a distinct, fragrant flavor. While it includes standard cake ingredients like flour, eggs, butter, and sugar, the pandan leaf extract is what sets it apart from other cakes.

In countries such as Indonesia, the Netherlands, and Singapore, the traditional pandan cake is a soft, sponge-like chiffon cake often enjoyed plain, without any additional toppings or frostings. In contrast, the Philippines offers a popular variation known as buko pandan cake. This version combines the flavors of young coconut and pandan, typically topped with strips of coconut meat or macapuno (a type of soft, jelly-like coconut).

The history of pandan cake in Southeast Asia is fascinating. It is a blend of European cake-making techniques and local ingredients, particularly the pandan leaf. This fusion likely began during the colonial era when European settlers brought their baking traditions to the region and adapted them using local flavors.

In 2017, CNN named pandan cake the national cake of both Singapore and Malaysia, sparking discussions about its true origins. Although the cake was popularized in Singapore by Bengawan Solo, a bakery owned by a Singaporean of Indonesian descent, some contend that its roots lie in Indonesia, influenced by Dutch colonial presence. Regardless of its precise origin, the cake exemplifies how European and local culinary traditions can merge to create something truly remarkable.

Pandan cake is known by various names in different languages: "bolu pandan" in Indonesian, "kek pandan" in Malay, and "Num Sleok Touy" in Khmer, to name a few. Its widespread popularity and the many variations found across different countries underscore its cultural significance and the historical ties it has to European colonial influences in Southeast Asia.