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Kaya Toast
Sana Yousaf

Kaya Toast Recipe

A classic Singaporean breakfast featuring crisp white bread slathered with sweet, creamy kaya (coconut jam) and thin slices of cold salted butter, optionally paired with soft-boiled eggs for a sweet-savory delight.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: Malaysian, Singaporean

Ingredients
  

  • 4 slices white sandwich bread crusts removed, or Hainanese loaf/Japanese milk bread for authenticity
  • 4-6 tablespoons homemade kaya jam or store-bought
  • 2 tablespoons cold salted butter thinly sliced
  • Optional: 2 large eggs for soft-boiled, dark soy sauce, white pepper
For Homemade Kaya
  • 200 ml coconut cream or coconut milk for lighter texture
  • 100 g palm sugar or brown sugar for caramel notes
  • 50 g white sugar
  • 4 egg yolks or 10 whole eggs for traditional method
  • 4-5 pandan leaves tied into a knot, or 1 tsp pandan extract

Method
 

  1. Make Kaya Jam (if not using store-bought): In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine coconut cream, palm sugar, white sugar, and pandan leaves. Whisk for 5 minutes until sugars dissolve and mixture simmers. Remove pandan (or strain if blended). Temper egg yolks with a bit of hot mixture, then pour yolks back into pan. Cook on low, stirring constantly, for 5-10 minutes until thickened. Cool in a jar and refrigerate.
  2. Toast Bread: Toast bread slices in a toaster or over charcoal until golden and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side.
  3. Spread Kaya: Spread 1-2 tablespoons kaya jam evenly on each slice, reaching edges.
  4. Add Butter: Arrange 2-3 thin butter slices on two kaya-spread slices.
  5. Assemble: Sandwich with remaining slices, press gently, and cut diagonally or into fingers.
  6. Optional Eggs: Boil water, remove from heat, add eggs, and cover for 6-7 minutes for soft-boiled. Crack into a dish, season with soy sauce and white pepper, stir, and dip toast.
  7. Serve: Serve immediately with eggs and kopi (coffee with condensed milk) for the full experience.

Notes

  • Storage: Store kaya jam in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for months. Toast bread fresh for best texture.
  • Substitutions: Use vanilla extract (1 tsp) for pandan; swap coconut cream for almond/oat milk for dietary needs (flavor will vary).
  • Make It Vegan: Replace eggs with aquafaba in kaya and use plant-based butter.
  • Quick Tip: For Hainanese-style kaya, caramelize sugar first for a deeper flavor.
  • Serving Suggestion: Pair with strong kopi for authenticity or green tea for a lighter touch.

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