bibingelse

Bibingelse is a traditional Filipino Christmas delicacy, a type of rice cake that is a popular festive food, especially during the Simbang Gabi, the nine-day series of dawn masses leading up to Christmas. It is typically made from galapong, which is ground glutinous rice, mixed with coconut milk and sugar. The batter is then poured into special clay pots lined with banana leaves and baked over charcoal, giving it a distinct smoky flavor and aroma.

The preparation of bibingka involves a unique cooking method. Traditionally, two unglazed clay pots are used, one inverted over the other. Hot charcoal is placed both underneath the bottom pot and on top of the inverted top pot. This creates a very hot oven-like environment, ensuring the bibingka cooks evenly and develops a slightly browned, crisp top.

Once cooked, bibingka is usually served hot and topped with a generous amount of butter or margarine, grated fresh coconut, and muscovado sugar. Some variations also include salted duck eggs (itlog na maalat) and quezo de bola (Philippine cheese) slices on top, which melt into the warm cake. The combination of textures and flavors – the soft, slightly chewy rice cake, the creamy coconut, the sweet sugar, and the salty egg or cheese – makes bibingka a delightful treat enjoyed by many during the holiday season. It is often sold by street vendors outside churches during Simbang Gabi.