PANDAN HONEYCOMB CAKE (Banh bo nuong) [UPDATED 2026]

PANDAN HONEYCOMB CAKE (Banh bo nuong) [UPDATED 2026] is a medium Vietnamese recipe that serves 8. 180 calories per serving. Recipe by C.HerCreations on YouTube.

Prep: 40 min | Cook: 1 hr | Total: 1 hr 55 min

Cost: $5.82 total, $0.73 per serving

Ingredients

  • 200 g Granulated Sugar (Dissolved with salt, coconut milk, and pandan extract)
  • 0.25 tsp Salt (Enhances flavor and helps dissolve sugar)
  • 200 ml Coconut Milk (Full‑fat for richness)
  • 1 tsp Pandan Extract (Provides the signature pandan aroma)
  • 6 pcs Eggs (Medium‑size, total weight about 260 g)
  • 100 g Tapioca Starch (Creates the chewy, bouncy texture)
  • 100 g Rice Flour (Regular (non‑glutinous) rice flour)
  • 2 tsp Double‑Acting Baking Powder (Leavening agent for the honeycomb structure)
  • 2 Tbsp Melted Coconut Oil (Neutral oil alternative possible)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Pan

    Place the aluminum round cake pan in the oven and preheat to 325°F (163°C). Allow both oven and pan to heat up.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: 325°F

  2. Make Sugar‑Coconut Milk Mixture

    In a saucepan, combine the sugar, salt, coconut milk, and pandan extract. Heat over medium until the sugar and salt dissolve; do not let it boil.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Cool Liquid Base

    Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature. If it got too hot, let it sit longer.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Prepare Eggs

    Crack six medium eggs into a large mixing bowl. Use a fork to poke through the yolks to loosen them, being careful not to incorporate too much air.

    Time: PT2M

  5. Add Liquid Base to Eggs

    Pour the cooled coconut‑pandan liquid into the eggs and stir gently until just combined.

    Time: PT1M

  6. Sift Dry Ingredients

    Place a fine mesh sieve over the bowl and sift together tapioca starch, rice flour, and baking powder.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Hydrate Dry Ingredients

    Using a spatula, gently stir the batter until the dry ingredients are fully hydrated. The batter may look chunky; that's okay.

    Time: PT2M

  8. Smooth the Batter

    Set another clean bowl under a sieve and pour the batter through, pressing with a spatula to achieve a smooth consistency.

    Time: PT2M

  9. Incorporate Melted Coconut Oil

    Stir in the melted coconut oil gently until fully incorporated.

    Time: PT1M

  10. Rest the Batter

    Let the batter sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes to hydrate the flours and allow the baking powder to distribute.

    Time: PT10M

  11. Transfer Batter to Pan

    Carefully remove the preheated pan from the oven, place it on a heat‑proof surface, and pour the rested batter directly into the pan. Do not grease or spray the pan.

    Time: PT2M

  12. Bake the Cake

    Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 1 hour. Do not open the oven door during the first 45 minutes.

    Time: PT1H

    Temperature: 325°F

  13. Cool Upside Down

    Immediately remove the pan from the oven and place it upside down on a cooling rack. Let it cool for at least 1 hour.

    Time: PT1H

  14. Unmold and Serve

    Run an offset spatula around the edges, gently release the cake, flip it right‑side up, slice, and serve at room temperature.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
180
Protein
3 g
Carbohydrates
30 g
Fat
6 g
Fiber
1 g

Dietary info: Gluten‑Free, Vegetarian

Allergens: Eggs, Coconut

Last updated: April 19, 2026

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PANDAN HONEYCOMB CAKE (Banh bo nuong) [UPDATED 2026]

Recipe by C.HerCreations

A light, chewy Vietnamese honeycomb cake infused with fragrant pandan and coconut flavor. The cake is baked in an aluminum round pan, then cooled upside down to preserve its signature airy honeycomb crumb. Perfect for a subtle, not-too-sweet dessert served at room temperature.

MediumVietnameseServes 8

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
1h 42m
Prep
1h 5m
Cook
20m
Cleanup
3h 7m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$5.82
Total cost
$0.73
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Preheat the aluminum pan inside the oven.
  • Do not grease the pan; the cake must stick for upside‑down cooling.
  • Bake at the precise temperature (325°F) for the full hour.
  • Cool the cake upside down to maintain the honeycomb structure.

Safety Warnings

  • Handle the hot oven pan with oven mitts to avoid burns.
  • Be careful when stirring hot sugar‑coconut milk mixture; it can splatter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Vietnamese Pandan Honeycomb Cake in Vietnamese cuisine?

A

Vietnamese honeycomb cake, known as bánh bông lan mật ong, is a popular tea‑time treat that showcases the country's love for light, airy pastries. The pandan flavor reflects the tropical ingredients common in Vietnamese desserts, and the honeycomb crumb is prized for its delicate, bouncy texture.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of Vietnamese Pandan Honeycomb Cake within Vietnam?

A

In southern Vietnam, the cake often uses coconut milk and a stronger pandan scent, while northern versions may incorporate a hint of vanilla or use rice flour only. Some regions also bake the cake in a bun‑shaped pan for special occasions.

cultural
Q

How is Vietnamese Pandan Honeycomb Cake traditionally served in Vietnam?

A

It is typically served at room temperature, sliced into bite‑size pieces, and enjoyed with a cup of hot tea or coffee. The cake is sometimes dusted lightly with powdered sugar but never frosted, allowing the subtle pandan flavor to shine.

cultural
Q

During which Vietnamese celebrations is Pandan Honeycomb Cake commonly enjoyed?

A

The cake appears at family gatherings, Lunar New Year (Tết), and mid‑autumn festivals, where its light texture pairs well with other festive sweets and savory dishes.

cultural
Q

What authentic ingredients are essential for Vietnamese Pandan Honeycomb Cake versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Authentic ingredients include coconut milk, pandan extract (or fresh pandan leaves), tapioca starch, regular rice flour, and double‑acting baking powder. Substitutes like coconut cream diluted with water, vanilla extract for pandan, or corn starch for tapioca can be used, but they will alter the traditional flavor and texture.

cultural
Q

What other Vietnamese dishes pair well with Pandan Honeycomb Cake?

A

The cake pairs nicely with Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá), fresh fruit salads featuring mango or dragon fruit, and light soups such as canh chua (sour soup) for a balanced meal.

cultural
Q

What makes Vietnamese Pandan Honeycomb Cake special compared to other Asian honeycomb cakes?

A

Its use of pandan and coconut milk gives a fragrant, tropical aroma, while the combination of tapioca starch and rice flour creates a uniquely chewy, bouncy crumb that is lighter than Chinese sponge cakes or Japanese castella.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Vietnamese Pandan Honeycomb Cake at home?

A

Common errors include greasing the pan (which prevents the cake from sticking and collapsing when flipped), over‑mixing the batter (which reduces the honeycomb cells), and baking at the wrong temperature, which either over‑browns the edges or prevents proper rise.

technical
Q

Why does this Vietnamese Pandan Honeycomb Cake recipe use an aluminum round pan instead of a non‑stick pan?

A

Aluminum pans allow the batter to cling during cooling, preserving the honeycomb structure. Non‑stick pans cause the cake to slide off when inverted, leading to deflation and a denser crumb.

technical
Q

Can I make Vietnamese Pandan Honeycomb Cake ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes, bake the cake a day ahead, let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze sliced portions for up to one month.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel C.HerCreations specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel C.HerCreations focuses on Asian home‑cooking tutorials, especially Vietnamese and Southeast Asian desserts, with detailed explanations of technique, pan selection, and troubleshooting.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel C.HerCreations' approach to Vietnamese dessert cooking differ from other cooking channels?

A

C.HerCreations emphasizes scientific testing of pans, oven temperatures, and step‑by‑step troubleshooting, providing multiple pan comparisons and clear visual cues, whereas many channels simply present a single method without deep analysis.

channel

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