Klepon – Indonesian Sweet Rice Cakes with Coconut Sugar

A joyful bite of Indonesia

These jewel-green rice cakes are one of Indonesia’s most beloved traditional sweets—tender, chewy, and filled with joy. Called klepon, each is hand-rolled from glutinous rice flour, naturally scented with aromatic pandan, and filled with rich coconut sugar that melts into a luscious center when gently boiled.

Rolled in grated coconut, the result is a beautiful contrast of textures and flavors—soft, chewy, sweet, and subtly salty. Coconut sugar, less refined than white sugar, retains trace minerals like potassium and zinc and has a lower glycemic index, making it a more nourishing sweetener. The chewy rice flour is naturally gluten-free and soothing for digestion, while the coconut adds healthy fats and antibacterial properties.