This Fa Gao uses just a few pantry staples and is easy to make. Start by mixing brown sugar, flour, water, yeast, and an egg, then let the batter rise and steam. It’s a simple recipe that yields a delicious, traditional treat with minimal effort.
The Cultural Significance Fa Gao
Chinese people enjoy Fa Gao, also known as Prosperity Cakes, for its rich cultural significance and delicious taste.
The character “发” (fā) in Fa Gao symbolizes prosperity and success, making the cake a popular choice during festivals and special occasions to convey wishes for good fortune and positive changes in life.
Additionally, the homophonic link between “糕” (gāo, cake) and “高” (gāo, high) imbues it with meanings of progress, high aspirations, and success, enhancing its appeal and cultural value.
In my family, we often make Fa Gao during Chinese New Year, adding special ingredients to elevate the flavor and texture.
We like to include red dates, whose sweetness pairs perfectly with the soft, fluffy Fa Gao. The red dates not only make the cake more visually appealing but also symbolize prosperity and a vibrant year ahead.
Why Brown Sugar Fa Gao
Brown Sugar Fa Gao, or 红糖发糕 (Hóngtáng Fāgāo), is a traditional Chinese steamed cake made with brown sugar, known for its soft, fluffy texture and rich caramel-like flavor.
This cake is prepared by mixing brown sugar, flour, water, yeast, and sometimes an egg, then allowing the batter to rise before steaming. The result is a light brown, spongy cake that can be decorated with red dates or other toppings for added taste and visual appeal.
Note: Be sure to use high-sugar-resistant yeast, as it’s essential for the dough to rise properly despite the high sugar content in the recipe.
This type of yeast is specifically designed to handle the sweetness and ensure that the Fa Gao achieves its light and fluffy texture.
Ingredients:
- Brown sugar: 50g
- Water: 100ml
- Egg: 1
- Yeast: 2g
- Flour: 150g
- Corn oil: For greasing
- Red dates: As desired, for decoration
Instructions:
Prepare the Sugar Syrup:
In a bowl, add 50g of brown sugar and pour in 100ml of hot water. Stir with chopsticks until the brown sugar is fully dissolved. Set it aside to cool.
Mix the Ingredients:
Once the sugar syrup has cooled, add one egg and 2g of yeast to the bowl. Stir until well combined. Gradually add 150g of flour and mix with chopsticks until the mixture forms a thick, smooth batter with some resistance.
First Fermentation:
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the batter ferment in a warm place for 40 minutes. The batter should double in size by the end of the fermentation.
Deflate the Batter:
Once the batter has risen, stir it again with chopsticks to release the air bubbles and ensure an even texture.
Prepare the Steamer:
Brush a plate with corn oil to prevent sticking. Pour the batter onto the plate, and gently shake it to smooth out the surface. Arrange red dates on top of the batter for both flavor and decoration.
Second Proofing:
Let the batter proof again for 10 minutes before steaming.
Steam the Fa Gao:
Place the plate in a steamer with cold water. Bring the water to a boil and steam the cake for 25 minutes. After steaming, let the cake sit in the steamer for 5 minutes before opening the lid.
Unmold and Serve:
The aroma of dates will fill the room when you open the steamer. To easily remove the fa gao, run a spatula along the edge of the plate. Invert the cake onto a chopping board, flip it right-side-up, and cut it into four pieces.
Brown Sugar Fa Gao (Steamed Prosperity Cakes)
Ingredients
- 50 g Brown sugar
- 100 ml Water
- 1 Egg
- 2 g Yeast
- 150 g Flour
- Corn oil: For greasing
- Red dates: As desired for decoration
Instructions
Prepare the Sugar Syrup:
- In a bowl, add 50g of brown sugar and pour in 100ml of hot water. Stir with chopsticks until the brown sugar is fully dissolved. Set it aside to cool.
Mix the Ingredients:
- Once the sugar syrup has cooled, add one egg and 2g of yeast to the bowl. Stir until well combined. Gradually add 150g of flour and mix with chopsticks until the mixture forms a thick, smooth batter with some resistance.
First Fermentation:
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the batter ferment in a warm place for 40 minutes. The batter should double in size by the end of the fermentation.
Deflate the Batter:
- Once the batter has risen, stir it again with chopsticks to release the air bubbles and ensure an even texture.
Prepare the Steamer:
- Brush a plate with corn oil to prevent sticking. Pour the batter onto the plate, and gently shake it to smooth out the surface. Arrange red dates on top of the batter for both flavor and decoration.
Second Proofing:
- Let the batter proof again for 10 minutes before steaming.
Steam the Fa Gao:
- Place the plate in a steamer with cold water. Bring the water to a boil and steam the cake for 25 minutes. After steaming, let the cake sit in the steamer for 5 minutes before opening the lid.
Unmold and Serve:
- The aroma of dates will fill the room when you open the steamer. To easily remove the fa gao, run a spatula along the edge of the plate. Invert the cake onto a chopping board, flip it right-side-up, and cut it into four pieces.
