If you’ve ever wanted to master a truly authentic and delightfully fluffy treat, this Chinese Steamed Rice Cake Recipe is your golden ticket. It’s a dish that combines the humble simplicity of rice with a subtly sweet and airy texture that practically melts in your mouth. Whether you’re new to Chinese cooking or a seasoned home chef, this recipe offers an approachable yet impressive way to bring a bit of traditional Chinese flavor right into your kitchen. The magic happens in the fermentation and steaming process, creating a cake that’s soft, tender, and absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All you need are a handful of simple ingredients, but each one plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor of the Chinese Steamed Rice Cake Recipe. Together, they transform basic staples into something wonderfully special.
- Rice (2 cups): I used ponni rice for its slightly sticky yet fine texture, perfect for making smooth batter.
- Salt (to taste): Just a pinch to balance and enhance the natural sweetness.
- Sugar (3 to 4 tablespoons): Adds a gentle sweetness that complements the mild taste of the rice.
- Dry Yeast (1.5 teaspoons): The magical ingredient that leavens and gives the cake its airy fluffiness.
- Water (as needed): Necessary to blend everything into a luscious, pourable batter.
How to Make Chinese Steamed Rice Cake Recipe
Step 1: Soak and Blend the Rice
Start by washing 2 cups of rice thoroughly and soaking it overnight. This soaking softens the rice, allowing it to blend into a silky smooth batter that forms the base of this recipe’s delicate texture.
Step 2: Grind the Rice to a Smooth Batter
Drain the soaked rice and transfer it to a blender. Grind it until you achieve a creamy, smooth consistency. Add a bit of water as needed to make it liquid enough to pour easily but not too watery.
Step 3: Sweeten and Refine the Batter
Next, toss in 3 to 4 tablespoons of sugar and continue blending until the batter is super smooth. This step ensures the sugar is evenly distributed, giving every bite a subtle sweetness that is perfectly balanced.
Step 4: Add Salt and Yeast, then Whisk
Now it’s time to add salt and 1.5 teaspoons of dry yeast to the batter. Whisk everything together well to activate the yeast – this is what will help your rice cake rise beautifully during steaming.
Step 5: Let the Batter Ferment
Cover the bowl and let it ferment for around 2 hours in a warm place. This fermentation is key, creating the airy texture and slight tang that makes this rice cake so unique and delicious.
Step 6: Prepare Your Steaming Pan
Grease your steaming pan lightly with oil to prevent sticking. This will make it so much easier to remove the cake after it’s cooked, and ensure it keeps its shape perfectly.
Step 7: Steam the Rice Cake Batter
Pour the batter into the greased pan and steam for 25 to 30 minutes. Steaming gently cooks the cake through without drying it out, resulting in a wonderfully soft and fluffy treat.
Step 8: Cool and Slice
Once steamed, carefully remove the cake from the steamer and let it cool for 5 minutes. This rest time helps it firm up slightly, making it easier to slice without crumbling.
Step 9: Serve and Enjoy
Slice into pieces of your preferred size and get ready to enjoy warm, soft Chinese steamed rice cake that’s a perfect blend of sweet, tender, and light.
How to Serve Chinese Steamed Rice Cake Recipe
Garnishes
While the cake is delicious on its own, you can elevate it with simple garnishes like a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk. These little touches add a wonderful hint of nuttiness or creamy richness that complements the fluffy texture beautifully.
Side Dishes
This rice cake pairs wonderfully with savory accompaniments like stir-fried greens, dim sum classics, or lightly spiced chili oil. Balancing the gentle sweetness with something savory on the side turns it into a satisfying snack or light meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the steamed rice cake into bite-sized cubes and threading them onto skewers for an eye-catching appetizer, or layer slices between steamed buns and fillings to create an inventive take on classic bun sandwiches. These creative ideas bring a fresh spin to the traditional recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover steamed rice cake can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Make sure to wrap it well so it doesn’t dry out and retains its softness for later enjoyment.
Freezing
You can freeze the rice cake for longer storage by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then placing it in a freezer-safe bag. It keeps well for up to a month. When ready to eat, thaw it slowly in the fridge overnight.
Reheating
The best way to reheat leftover rice cake is by steaming it again for 5 to 10 minutes. This method restores its moistness and softness much better than microwaving, keeping the texture just like freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use other types of rice for this recipe?
Absolutely! While ponni rice is ideal for its texture, other medium-grain or short-grain rice varieties can work as well. Just remember to soak the rice fully for the best results.
What if I don’t have dry yeast? Can I skip it?
The dry yeast is essential as it helps the rice cake rise and become fluffy. Without it, you’ll get a denser result, more like a pudding or custard texture.
How long should I soak the rice if I’m short on time?
The overnight soak is important to soften the rice thoroughly, but if you’re pressed for time, soaking for at least 4 hours will still give you decent results.
Can I add flavors or colors to the rice cake?
Definitely! You can infuse the batter with pandan juice for a lovely green hue and aroma, or stir in finely chopped nuts or dried fruits for interesting texture contrasts.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Yes! The Chinese Steamed Rice Cake Recipe is surprisingly simple and forgiving, making it a fantastic choice for anyone eager to explore traditional Chinese cooking without complex techniques.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a charming and comforting dish to add to your culinary repertoire, this Chinese Steamed Rice Cake Recipe is a fantastic pick. It’s light, subtly sweet, and carries the warmth of homemade tradition that’s perfect to share with family and friends. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to the joy of making this classic delicacy—it’s easier than you think and absolutely worth every delicious bite.
Print
Chinese Steamed Rice Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 12 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This traditional Chinese Steamed Rice Cake is a soft, mildly sweet and fluffy delicacy made from fermented rice batter. Perfect as a light snack or breakfast, it combines simple ingredients like rice, sugar, and yeast to create a delightful steamed cake with a tender texture and subtle sweetness. The fermentation process enhances its flavor and gives it a unique airy structure.
Ingredients
Rice Cake Batter
- 2 cups Ponni rice (or any short-grain rice)
- 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons dry yeast
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed for batter consistency
- Oil for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Soak and Drain Rice: Wash the rice thoroughly and soak it in water overnight to soften, then drain completely.
- Grind Rice to Smooth Batter: Transfer the soaked rice to a blender and grind until you achieve a very smooth batter, adding water gradually as needed to reach a liquid but thick consistency.
- Add Sugar and Re-blend: Add the sugar to the batter and blend again to fully integrate the sugar and achieve a very smooth texture.
- Add Salt and Yeast: Mix in salt to taste and sprinkle the dry yeast over the batter, then whisk well to combine evenly.
- Ferment Batter: Cover the batter and let it ferment at room temperature for about 2 hours until it rises and shows bubbles, indicating active fermentation.
- Prepare Steaming Pan: Lightly grease a flat steaming pan with a little oil to prevent sticking.
- Steam the Batter: Pour the fermented batter into the greased pan and steam it for 25 to 30 minutes over boiling water until set and cooked through.
- Cool and Slice: Carefully remove the steamed rice cake from the steamer and let it cool for about 5 minutes to firm up.
- Serve: Slice the cooled rice cake into desired shapes and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use freshly activated yeast for best fermentation results.
- The fermentation step is crucial for the texture; avoid skipping it.
- Steaming time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the batter in the pan.
- You can flavor the rice cake with pandan or vanilla essence if desired for variation.
- Serve as a snack, breakfast item, or part of a dim sum meal.
- Prep Time: 12 hours (includes soaking rice overnight and 2 hours fermentation)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Chinese
