Nian Gao (Chinese New Year Cake)
Nian Gao aka Chinese Mochi Cake. It is a simple, sweet, chewy, vegan friendly, gluten free and dairy free and is eaten around Chinese New Year.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 100 g water hot
- 30 g cane sugar
- 30 g brown sugar
- pinch salt
- 95 g glutinous rice flour
- 25 g rice flour
- red dates to decorate
- blanched peanuts optional
Instructions
- Prepare a small heat-safe bowl, baking dish, or silicone mold (about 2 cups in volume) by spreading a thin layer of oil. This will help the mochi cake come out easier.
- Fill a pot with water and set a steam basket on top. Lightly oil the bowl or dish you plan to steam in.
- Dissolve the sugars and salt in water. In a separate bowl, mix glutinous rice flour and rice flour, then add it to the sugar mixture, stirring until evenly combined.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared dish. Cut a red date into pieces and place them cut-side down on top of the batter. Optionally, top with blanched peanuts.
- Transfer the dish to the steam basket, cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce to medium heat and steam for 30 minutes.
- Let the nian gao cool completely. To serve, cut into slices and either re-steam or pan-fry until golden.