Sweet Rice Cake Nian Gao
Chinese New Year isn't complete without this Sweet Rice Cake, known as Nian Gao, symbolises growth, progress, and moving upward in the year ahead. Soft, sticky, fragrant with brown sugar and citrus zest, it's a traditional must-have during the celebrations and a meaningful gift to share with loved ones
Watch our TikTok on how to make these!
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 1 person
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp vegetable oil (plus extra for greasing pans)
- 3½-4 cups water
- 4 slices ginger
- 2 cups dark brown sugar or brown rock sugar
- ½ tsp allspice powder
- 1½ Ib rice flour
- ½ Ib rice flour
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp dark molasses
- Zest of 1 large orange
- Chilli Chan’s Hot Honey Chilli Oil
Instructions:
- Brush two 8-inch round pans with vegetable oil.
- Bring 2 cups of water with ginger to a boil.
Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in brown sugar and allspice until dissolved. Remove ginger. Add 1½ cups cold water to cool until warm. - Mix both flours in a large bowl. Slowly pour in the sugar water, stirring until smooth and lump-free.
- Stir in vanilla, molasses, orange zest, and vegetable oil. Batter should be similar to condensed milk. Add a little more water if needed.
- Divide batter between pans and tap gently to remove air bubbles. Add dried dates on top if using.
- Steam on high heat for about 1 hour. Make sure water does not touch the pans and top up water if needed.
- Check with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, it's ready.
- Just before serving, drizzle generously with Chilli Chan's Hot Honey for a sweet, warming kick🌶️
Sweet, sticky, symbolic - the perfect way to welcome prosperity and growth in the new year.
If you try it, tag us, we love seeing your creations!