Cecemek, A Traditional Perak Delicacy from Kampung Gajah
Cecemek is a dessert with a unique name that reflects the soft, delicious pleasure of eating it as it melts in your mouth.
Kuih Cecemek is a heritage food of Perak that is becoming less known to the younger generation today because its recipe is rarely inherited or passed down. There is some confusion that equates the Cecemek with the Sampan or Limas kuih, as they share a somewhat similar shape.
The difference between the Cecemek and the Sampan lies in the type of flour used and the preparation method. Cecemek uses glutinous rice flour and a little wheat flour, shaped into small balls with a hole in the center. The small dough pieces are placed in containers made from banana leaves, which are typically square-shaped. Sugar and coconut milk mixture are then added before it is steamed.
Its appearance is similar to the Sampan, but it has its own distinct characteristics and is considered a heritage kuih of Perak, particularly in Kampung Gajah, where it is believed to have originated. What makes the Cecemek special is that it is a treat that fans eagerly await, as it is usually only made and sold during Ramadan.
It has become a tradition that almost every home in Kampung Gajah will have Cecemek as part of their iftar spread. Have you ever tasted this kuih? If any readers know how to make this traditional kuih, do not forget to pass the knowledge on to your family and friends so that the nostalgia can be relived and the younger generation can get to know it, ensuring it is not lost to time.
