Ever stumbled upon a treat that feels like a nostalgic hug in dessert form? Let me take you on a journey to create a beautifully layered red bean rice cake that’s as delightful to the taste buds as it is to the soul.
I love the delicate balance of flavors and textures in my Steamed Fluffy Red Bean Ricecake. The smooth red bean paste complements the glutinous rice flour perfectly, while the gentle sweetness from granulated sugar adds a delightful touch.
With a hint of vanilla extract, this treat is both comforting and satisfying.
Steamed Fluffy Red Bean Ricecake Recipe Ingredients
– Glutinous Rice Flour: A staple in many Asian desserts, providing chewy texture and rich carbohydrates.
– Red Bean Paste: Sweet filling popular in Asian sweets, offering a creamy, subtly nutty flavor.
– Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the rice cake rise and achieve fluffiness.
– Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and enhances the flavor, balancing the bean paste’s earthiness.
– Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the sugar and red bean paste.
– Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps maintain a soft, tender cake texture.
– Toasted Sesame Seeds: Adds a nutty crunch and an aromatic finish to the rice cake.
Steamed Fluffy Red Bean Ricecake Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 2 cups glutinous rice flour
- 1 cup red bean paste
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds (for topping, optional)
How to Make this Steamed Fluffy Red Bean Ricecake Recipe
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the glutinous rice flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. Gradually add the water while stirring, ensuring the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
3. Add the vegetable oil and vanilla extract (if using) to the mixture and stir until well combined.
4. Grease a square or round cake pan with a bit of vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
5. Pour half of the rice flour batter into the greased pan and spread it evenly.
6. Gently spread the red bean paste over the first layer, leaving a small border along the edges.
7. Pour the remaining rice flour batter over the red bean paste layer, smoothing the top with a spatula.
8. Prepare a steamer and bring water to a boil. Once boiling, place the cake pan in the steamer, cover, and steam for 30-40 minutes until the rice cake is set and slightly translucent.
9. Carefully remove the cake from the steamer, let it cool slightly, and sprinkle the top with toasted sesame seeds, if desired.
10. Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade steamed fluffy red bean rice cake!
Steamed Fluffy Red Bean Ricecake Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Large mixing bowl
2. Measuring cups
3. Measuring spoons
4. Whisk or spoon for stirring
5. Square or round cake pan
6. Brush or paper towel for greasing the pan
7. Spatula
8. Steamer with lid
9. Pot for boiling water (part of steamer setup)
10. Cooling rack (optional)
FAQ
- Can I use regular rice flour instead of glutinous rice flour?
No, glutinous rice flour is essential for this recipe as it provides the chewy, sticky texture that is unique to this rice cake. - Is there a substitute for red bean paste?
Yes, you can use sweetened black bean paste or lotus seed paste as an alternative, but the flavor will be different. - What can I do if I don’t have a steamer?
You can improvise by placing a heatproof plate or dish on top of a pot with boiling water, ensuring the water doesn’t touch the dish. Cover with a lid to trap steam. - How can I make this recipe less sweet?
Reduce the amount of granulated sugar to 1/4 cup or adjust to taste. - Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, the rice cakes can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Re-steam them to soften before serving. - What is the purpose of the baking powder in this recipe?
Baking powder helps to create a lighter, fluffier texture in the rice cake. - Is the vanilla extract necessary?
No, it’s optional and simply adds a hint of flavor. Feel free to omit it if you prefer a more traditional taste.
Steamed Fluffy Red Bean Ricecake Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- For glutinous rice flour, you can substitute with sweet rice flour.
- Instead of red bean paste, try using another bean paste like black sesame paste or lotus seed paste.
- Replace granulated sugar with an equal amount of coconut sugar or honey for a different flavor.
- If you don’t have baking powder, use 1/4 teaspoon baking soda with 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
- Swap vegetable oil with melted coconut oil or unsalted butter.
Pro Tips
1. Control Batter Thickness: If you find the batter too thick or difficult to pour, add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches a pourable consistency. This ensures ease in spreading and even layers.
2. Smooth Red Bean Paste: For a more consistent layer, briefly warm up the red bean paste in a microwave or on the stovetop to soften it. This makes it easier to spread over the batter without breaking the layer.
3. Prevent Sticky Layers: When pouring the second layer of batter over the red bean paste, gently pour it over the back of a spoon. This helps distribute the batter evenly without disturbing the red bean paste.
4. Use Parchment Paper: Line the cake pan with oiled parchment paper for easier removal. This prevents sticking and ensures clean edges when slicing the cake after cooling.
5. Consistent Steaming: To maintain a consistent steam environment, wrap the steamer lid with a cloth. This prevents condensation from dripping onto the cake, which could affect its texture.
Steamed Fluffy Red Bean Ricecake Recipe
My favorite Steamed Fluffy Red Bean Ricecake Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large mixing bowl
2. Measuring cups
3. Measuring spoons
4. Whisk or spoon for stirring
5. Square or round cake pan
6. Brush or paper towel for greasing the pan
7. Spatula
8. Steamer with lid
9. Pot for boiling water (part of steamer setup)
10. Cooling rack (optional)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups glutinous rice flour
- 1 cup red bean paste
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds (for topping, optional)
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the glutinous rice flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. Gradually add the water while stirring, ensuring the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
3. Add the vegetable oil and vanilla extract (if using) to the mixture and stir until well combined.
4. Grease a square or round cake pan with a bit of vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
5. Pour half of the rice flour batter into the greased pan and spread it evenly.
6. Gently spread the red bean paste over the first layer, leaving a small border along the edges.
7. Pour the remaining rice flour batter over the red bean paste layer, smoothing the top with a spatula.
8. Prepare a steamer and bring water to a boil. Once boiling, place the cake pan in the steamer, cover, and steam for 30-40 minutes until the rice cake is set and slightly translucent.
9. Carefully remove the cake from the steamer, let it cool slightly, and sprinkle the top with toasted sesame seeds, if desired.
10. Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade steamed fluffy red bean rice cake!
