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Fa gao (prosperity cakes)
Steamed rice flour cakes
发糕 fa gao: Guangdong steamed rice-flour cupcakes that 'smile' open on top
Fa gao is the little cake on every Cantonese New Year altar in Guangzhou and in Chinatowns from Kuala Lumpur to London: the word 'fa' means both 'rise' and 'prosper', and the deeper the cross-shaped crack on top, the luckier the year. This quick version uses rice flour, a little wheat flour and baking powder, steamed hard so the tops burst open, and it is egg- and dairy-free. The mistake that stops them smiling is a gentle steamer; the water must be at a fierce rolling boil before the cups go in. Chef's tip: fill the cups right to the brim, so the batter has to split as it rises.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
- 5 ½ oz rice flour
- 2 ⅛ oz plain flour
- 3 ⅞ oz light brown sugar
- ¾ cup warm water
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 drop pink or red food colouring (optional)for a festive colour
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Dissolve 3 ⅞ oz light brown sugar in ¾ cup warm water, then whisk in 5 ½ oz rice flour and 2 ⅛ oz plain flour to a smooth batter that falls in a thick ribbon. Cover and rest for 30 minutes so the rice flour softens.
Step 3: Whisk 2 ½ tsp baking powder and 1 drop pink or red food colouring into the batter, then immediately fill the cups to the very top.
Step 4: Steam over the highest heat with the lid on for 15–18 minutes without lifting it. They are ready when the tops have cracked into three or four 'petals' and a skewer comes out clean.
18 minStep 5: Cool for 5 minutes before eating warm. Leftovers firm up; steam for 5 minutes to soften them again.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 150 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does fa gao (prosperity cakes) take?
- About 35 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of light brown sugar?
- White sugar + 1 tsp honey or golden syrup per 100g.
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Perfect for:Lunar New Year