Bebinca is a traditional Indian dessert made with ghee, coconut milk, flour, eggs, and sugar. It consists of up to 16 layers and is cooked individually. It is also eaten in countries such as Mozambique, Portugal, and the Philippines. In the Philippines, it is called bibingka and is made with rice flour.
Bebinca is a dessert originally from Goa, a city located in southeast India. Packed with flavour, bebinca, also called bebinka or bibik, is a type of pudding traditionally made up of up to 16 layers. It is cooked using ingredients that are typically incorporated into Indian cooking, such as ghee and coconut milk, and is generally made to celebrate occasions such as births and weddings. While it is a traditional Goan sweet, bebinca is also eaten in several countries.
The popular Goan dessert is typically made with ghee, coconut milk and flour, as well as eggs and sugar. Ghee is clarified butter, which means that the fat from the butter is separated from the water and milk solids, which is then used in both sweet and savory dishes. Like ghee, coconut milk is also used in sweet and savory cooking. Coconut milk is not the clear liquid found inside the coconut, known as coconut water, rather, it is derived from the white, solid part of the coconut.
While bebinca isn’t technically difficult to make, it does require a lot of patience. Traditionally, the pudding consists of 16 layers, which must be cooked individually. For people with less patience or time, bebinca can be made using as few as 16 layers.
There are many variations of the ingredients used when making pudding, however, the process in which it is prepared remains consistent. When all of the ingredients are added together, the pie dough is layered in the pan in increments that cover the bottom of the pan. Only when each layer is golden brown can the next layer be added; the process continues until all 16 levels are completed. Once made, bebinca is traditionally garnished with shredded coconut, but can also include other garnishes, such as almonds. Traditionally, bebinca is cooked in a clay oven which is heated by hot coals placed on top.
Many different countries serve bebinca, including Mozambique, Portugal, and even the Philippines, where it is called bibingka. In the Philippines, bibingka is a little different than the traditional Goan version. Rice flour is used to replace wheat flour and, when cooked, is usually topped with a topping of sugar and butter. Bebingka is most commonly served in the Philippines during a period called Simbang Gabi, which is a religious celebration that lasts nine days before Christmas.
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