Sticky Rice Sweet Balls, also called 'kill husband cake' Num Plae Ai is a traditional Cambodian dessert from Khmer legend. According to the old story, a newlywed bride prepared sticky, sweet rice balls to surprise her husband when he got home from work. He was excited to see the dessert, grabbed the rice balls, and swallowed everything. The hot, sticky rice balls got stuck in his throat, and he passed away. Num Plae Ai continues to be known as 'kill husband cake' today.