Cascaron

Round, sweet, and chewy cascaron is a deep-fried Filipino delicacy usually served doused in sugary syrups. Often referred to as bitsu bitsu, this traditional treat is made with sweet glutinous rice flour, shredded coconut, and coconut milk. The dough is shaped into small round balls and deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside. Although they can be served plain, these luscious balls are often smothered in various sweet syrups, such as the simple sticky caramel sauce or the traditional Filipino latik, the creamy glaze made with coconut milk and sugar. The incredible variety of textures and the mild flavor of coconut make cascaron one of the most popular Filipino desserts. Even though they are commonly prepared at home as a quick after-dinner treat, they are often sold as street food by numerous vendors who traditionally serve them skewered on bamboo sticks.