Description
Bolen Lilit is a traditional Indonesian banana roll pastry featuring a flaky buttery dough wrapped around ripe banana slices, cheese, and optional chocolate chips. This delightful dessert or snack is baked until golden and optionally brushed with a sweet coated glaze and topped with sesame seeds or extra cheese for a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 4–6 tablespoons cold water
Filling
- 3 ripe bananas (preferably plantains or pisang raja), sliced in halves or thirds
- ¼ cup grated cheese (cheddar or Edam recommended)
- ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Coating (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon water
- Sesame seeds or grated cheese for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold unsalted butter using your hands or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until a soft but not sticky dough forms. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to chill.
- Preheat and roll out: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the chilled dough into a thin sheet, about 1/8 inch thick. Cut the dough into rectangles large enough to fully wrap around a banana slice.
- Fill the pastries: Place a slice of banana near one edge of each dough rectangle. Add a small amount of grated cheese and, if using, sprinkle some semi-sweet chocolate chips on top of the banana slice. Carefully roll the dough around the filling, sealing the edges securely to prevent leakage while baking.
- Prepare for baking: Arrange the rolled pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. For the topping, either brush each roll with the beaten egg wash or the condensed milk-water mixture. Sprinkle sesame seeds or additional grated cheese on top, depending on your preference.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pastries turn golden brown and cooked through.
- Cooling and serving: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture, perfect for a dessert or tea-time treat.
Notes
- Bolen Lilit is best enjoyed warm to appreciate the contrast of flaky pastry and melted filling.
- The dough can be prepared in advance and chilled or frozen to save time on baking day.
- Freeze the shaped rolls before baking for convenient make-ahead snacks; bake directly from frozen adding a few extra minutes to cooking time.
- Using plantains or pisang raja bananas imparts authentic flavor, but ripe yellow bananas can be substituted.
- Adjust the filling to taste by omitting chocolate chips or substituting cheese types for variation.
