Traditional Chinese Steamed Cake (Fa Gao)
Description
Chinese fa gao, meaning "prosperity cake," is a sweet cake that's steamed in a pan instead of baked in the oven. It is eaten during the Lunar New Year.
Ingredients
•
1/2 cup warm water
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2 teaspoons active dry yeast
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1 1/2 cups cake flour
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1/2 cup cornmeal
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1/3 cup superfine sugar
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 cup milk
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1/3 cup melted butter
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1 egg
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1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/4 cup raisins
Directions
1
Pour warm water into a small bowl, then sprinkle yeast over the surface. Let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
2
Sift cake flour, cornmeal, sugar, and salt together in a small bowl.
3
Beat milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in yeast mixture until smooth. Cover with a light cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, 1 to 2 hours.
4
Line a 9-inch round pan with parchment paper. Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
5
Pour risen batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle with raisins. Place the pan onto the steamer insert. Cover the pan and steam until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
6
Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes, then remove cake and place directly onto the wire rack to cool completely.