Red Tortoise cake (Ang Ku Kueh) with custard filling

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Tham Jessica (@jessieinthekitchen)

A delightful assortment of kueh with pumpkin, purple sweet potato, and pandan flavored skins, filled with a creamy custard filling.

Prep Time
1hr 0min
Cook Time
20min
Total Time
1hr 20min
Red Tortoise cake (Ang Ku Kueh) with custard filling recipe

Ingredients

30 Servings
(1 serving = 1 piece)

Custard Filling

  • 120g
    custard powder
  • 80g
    milk powder
  • 90g
    sugar
  • 200mL
    coconut milk
  • 160mL
    milk
  • 2piece
    eggs (beaten)
  • 50mL
    cooking oil

Starter Paste

  • 10g
    rice flour
  • 100mL
    warm water
  • 2tbsp
    oil

Pumpkin Skin

  • 200g
    pumpkin puree
  • 200g
    glutinous rice flour
  • 1tbsp
    sugar
  • 2tbsp
    cooking oil
  • 1/2
    portion starter paste

Purple Sweet Potato Skin

  • 230g
    mashed purple sweet potatoes
  • 230g
    glutinous rice flour
  • 1tbsp
    sugar
  • 2tbsp
    cooking oil
  • 1/2
    portion starter paste

Pandan Flavour Skin

  • 250g
    glutinous rice flour
  • 1tbsp
    sugar
  • 2tbsp
    cooking oil
  • 240mL
    pandan juice (5 pandan leaves blended with 240ml of water)

How to make Red Tortoise cake (Ang Ku Kueh) with custard filling

Custard

  1. Combine dry ingredients (custard powder, sugar, milk powder). With coconut milk, milk, and eggs. Mixed until well incorporated.

  2. Add cooking oil and mix to eliminate lumps. strain for a smooth mixture. 

  3. Transfer to 2 lightly greased heatproof dishes and steamed them at HIGH heat for 10 minutes.

  4. Cool custard for 10 minutes, then knead until smooth. Work when ware for easier handling. 

  5. Roll custard into 2cm balls for later use.

Starter Paste

  1. Combine the starter paste material in a saucepan and stir well. Make sure that there are no lumps. Cook it at low heat stirring continuously until the roux thickens.

Pumpkin Skin

  1. Add 1 tbsp sugar to glutinous rice flour, combine with half the starter, mix. Incorporate pumpkin puree, cooking oil, knead into smooth dough. If the dough is too wet, add 1 tbsp glutinous flour at a time. Divide into 18 balls.

Purple Sweet Potato Skin

  1. Follow the same method as making the pumpkin dough. If the dough is too dry to handle, add 1 tablespoon of water, one at a time until you get a smooth dough. Divide into 12 balls.

Pandan Flavour Skin

  1. Mix glutinous rice flour, sugar, cooking oil, pandan juice until smooth. If dry, add 1 tbsp water or pandan juice. Divide into 12 portions, form into balls.

Assembly

  1. Flatten the dough (pumpkin, sweet potato or pandan) and wrap in the fillings. Knead and roll into oval shape and place the dough on the foam fruit wrapper, gently squeeze and twist into a shell shape. Steam on medium and low heat for 10 to 12 minutes.

    Step 6.1: Flatten the dough (pumpkin, sweet potato or pandan) and wrap in the fillings

Tips & Tricks

  1. Ensure the starter paste has no lumps before cooking.

  2. Adjust the dough consistency by adding small amounts of glutinous rice flour or water as needed.

  3. Use oiled banana leaves or parchment paper to prevent the kueh from sticking during steaming.

FAQS

  1. How do I store leftover Red Tortoise cake (Ang Ku Kueh) with custard filling?

    To store leftover Red Tortoise cake, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They can last up to 3-5 days. For longer storage, consider freezing them. Just make sure to wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe bag.

  2. What are some dietary substitutions for the ingredients in Red Tortoise cake?

    If you're looking for dietary substitutions, you can use almond milk or oat milk instead of regular milk for a dairy-free version. For a gluten-free option, try using a gluten-free flour blend in place of glutinous rice flour. Additionally, you can replace sugar with coconut sugar or a sugar alternative like stevia.

  3. What can I serve with Red Tortoise cake (Ang Ku Kueh) to enhance the meal?

    Red Tortoise cake pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee. You can also serve it alongside fresh fruits or a light salad to balance the sweetness of the cake. For a more traditional touch, consider serving it with a side of coconut cream for dipping.

  4. What is the cooking process for making Red Tortoise cake with custard filling?

    To make Red Tortoise cake, start by preparing the custard filling by mixing custard powder, sugar, milk powder, coconut milk, milk, and beaten eggs. Steam this mixture until set. Then, prepare the dough using glutinous rice flour and your choice of flavor (pumpkin, purple sweet potato, or pandan). Wrap the custard filling in the dough, shape it, and steam again until cooked through.

  5. Can I make Red Tortoise cake (Ang Ku Kueh) ahead of time?

    Yes, you can make Red Tortoise cake ahead of time. Prepare the cakes and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. If you want to make them even earlier, you can freeze them after steaming. Just ensure they are well-wrapped to prevent freezer burn, and steam them again before serving.

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Tham Jessica

(@jessieinthekitchen)

I loved to cook and enjoyed learning about all sort of cuisines. Today, I am still in the kitchen and every chance I get, I...

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