How to Make Traditional Chinese Steamed Cake (Fa Gao) - A Step-by-Step Guide

Traditional Chinese Steamed Cake, also known as Fa Gao, is a classic Chinese dessert that has been enjoyed for generations. This sweet and fluffy cake is a popular treat during Chinese New Year and other festive occasions, and is loved for its unique texture and subtle sweetness.

Fa Gao is traditionally made with simple ingredients such as flour, sugar, yeast, and water, and is steamed to perfection. The result is a light and airy cake that is often adorned with lucky symbols and desi...

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Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • ½ cup warm water
  • 1 egg
  • ⅓ cup melted butter
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 ½ cups cake flour
  • ½ cup cornmeal
  • ⅓ cup superfine sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup raisins (Optional)

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Additional Time: 1 hr
  • Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
  • Servings: 8

  • Sprinkle yeast over 1/2 cup of warm water in a small bowl. Water should be no more than 100 degrees F (40 degrees C). Let stand for 5 minutes until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam.
  • Beat egg, melted butter, vanilla extract, and milk together in a large bowl, until smooth. Sift cake flour, cornmeal, sugar, and salt together in a small bowl, then stir flour mixture into egg mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in yeast mixture until smooth. Cover with a light cloth and let rise in a warm place 80 to 95 degrees F (27 to 35 degrees C) until doubled in volume, 1 to 2 hours. Pour mixture into a 9-inch round pan lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with raisins.
  • Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Cover, and bring water to a boil over high heat. Add cake, recover, and steam until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
  • Nutrition

    264 cal.

    • Total Fat: 9g
    • Saturated Fat: 5g
    • Cholesterol: 45mg
    • Sodium: 218mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 41g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 12g
    • Protein: 5g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 31mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 134mg