
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8–10 slices
Difficulty: Medium
Ingredients
For the Bibikkan Batter
- 2 cups freshly grated coconut
- 1 cup Sarbu Jaggery Powder
- 1½ cups semolina (rava/sooji)
- ½ cup rice flour
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup chopped cashews
- ¼ cup chopped almonds
- ¼ cup raisins
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon powder
- ¼ tsp nutmeg powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ cup coconut milk
- ¼ cup water, as required
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Greasing
- 1 tsp ghee
- 1 tbsp semolina or flour
For Garnishing
- 1 tbsp chopped cashews
- 1 tbsp chopped almonds
- A few raisins
- 1 tbsp grated coconut
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Coconut & Jaggery Mixture
- Place 2 cups freshly grated coconut in a heavy-bottomed pan.
- Add 1 cup Sarbu Jaggery Powder.
- Cook over low heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Allow the jaggery to melt and coat the coconut evenly.
- Do not cook until completely dry; the mixture should remain moist.
- Remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- Semolina
- Rice flour
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cardamom powder
- Cinnamon powder
- Nutmeg powder
- Mix thoroughly so the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Combine the Batter
- Add the warm coconut-jaggery mixture to the dry ingredients.
- Add ½ cup coconut milk and 2 tbsp ghee.
- Add vanilla extract.
- Mix gently until everything is well combined.
- Add water little by little until you get a thick, moist batter.
- Fold in the chopped cashews, almonds, and raisins.
Step 4: Rest the Batter
- Cover the bowl and let the batter rest for 20–30 minutes.
- This allows the semolina to absorb moisture and soften.
- Check the consistency after resting. If the batter has become too thick, add 1–2 tbsp coconut milk or water.
Step 5: Prepare the Baking Pan
- Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F).
- Grease an 8-inch round or square baking pan with ghee.
- Lightly dust with semolina or flour.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Spread it evenly using a spatula.
Step 6: Garnish & Bake
- Sprinkle chopped cashews, almonds, raisins, and grated coconut over the top.
- Bake at 170°C for approximately 40–45 minutes.
- The cake is ready when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover it with foil during the final part of baking.
Step 7: Cool & Serve
- Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes.
- Carefully remove it from the pan.
- Allow it to cool further before slicing.
- Cut into squares or wedges and serve.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a traditional tea-time cake with hot tea or coffee.
- Enjoy as a festive dessert during celebrations.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla or coconut ice cream.
- Pair with freshly brewed South Indian filter coffee.
- Serve as part of a traditional dessert platter.
Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 285 kcal |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 43 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g |
| Sodium | 110 mg |
Values are approximate and may vary depending on the ingredients and serving size.
Why Use Sarbu Jaggery Powder?
Sarbu Jaggery Powder gives Bibikkan its characteristic deep sweetness and rich caramel-like flavor. It blends beautifully with fresh coconut, nuts, and aromatic spices, creating a moist, flavorful cake with a naturally rich taste. Its powdered form also dissolves easily, making it convenient for preparing the coconut-jaggery mixture.
Chef’s Tips
- Use freshly grated coconut for the best flavor and moisture.
- Avoid cooking the coconut and jaggery mixture for too long, as excessive cooking can make the cake dry.
- Let the batter rest before baking so the semolina can absorb the moisture.
- Keep the batter thick and moist, not runny.
- Don’t overmix the batter after adding the baking powder and baking soda.
- Check the cake around the 40-minute mark, as oven temperatures can vary.
- Allow the cake to cool before slicing to prevent it from crumbling.
- For a richer coconut flavor, replace some of the water with additional coconut milk.
- Toasting the nuts lightly before adding them can enhance their flavor.



