Pumpkin Fa Gao is a delightful and festive steamed cake, perfect for celebrating special occasions or simply enjoying as a sweet treat. The combination of pumpkin puree and a soft, spongy texture makes this traditional Chinese cake both delicious and visually appealing. Follow my recipe to create a tender and flavorful Pumpkin Fa Gao at home.
Chinese people love making Fa Gao
Pumpkin Fa Gao is a traditional Chinese steamed cake made with pumpkin puree, flour, and yeast. This light and fluffy cake is a popular variation of Fa Gao (also known as prosperity cake), typically enjoyed during festive occasions like Chinese New Year.
The addition of pumpkin gives the cake a natural sweetness and a vibrant orange color, while the steaming process results in a soft, spongy texture.
Often decorated with red dates, Pumpkin Fa Gao is not only delicious but also visually appealing, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune.
This Fa Gao is incredibly delicious; my two girls absolutely love it and can’t seem to get enough.
In this recipe, I used 10 grams of sugar, which I find not very sweet. If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can increase the amount of sugar according to your preference.
Ingredients:
- 120 g pumpkin, sliced
- 2 g yeast
- 10 g white granulated sugar(adjust to taste)
- 1 egg
- 120 g all-purpose flour
- 5 red dates, for decoration
Instructions:
Prepare the Pumpkin:
- Cut 120 grams of pumpkin into slices.
- Steam the pumpkin for 15 minutes or until fully cooked.
- Place the pumpkin in a bowl to cool, then mash it into a puree.
Mix the Ingredients:
- Add 2 grams of yeast, 10 grams of white granulated sugar, and 1 egg to the pumpkin puree. Mix well.
- Add 120 grams of all-purpose flour and stir until it forms a sticky dough with some resistance.
Fermentation:
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough ferment for about 45 minutes. The dough should double in size and become honeycombed.
- Stir the dough with chopsticks to release the air.
Prepare for Steaming:
- Grease a plate and pour the batter in, smoothing the surface.
- Place 5 red dates on top for decoration. This step is optional.
- Put the batter into a bamboo steamer with water underneath, cover it, and let it rise for another 10 minutes.
Steam the Fa Gao and Serve:
- Heat the steamer. Once the water boils, steam on medium-high heat for 20 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let it sit for another 5 minutes before serving.
- To remove it from the bowl easily, gently run a spatula or scraper around the edges, allowing the Fa Gao to slide out smoothly. Transfer it onto a cutting board and use a knife to slice it into bite-sized pieces. Serve and enjoy this delightful treat!
FAQ:
- How long does fermentation take?
Fermentation time varies with temperature. In autumn, it should ferment for at least 1 hour; in summer, about 30 minutes; in winter, place the dough above a pot of warm water to ferment. The key indicator is the fermentation state: the dough should double in volume, with large, honeycomb-like holes inside.
Pumpkin Fa Gao Recipe
Ingredients
- 120 g pumpkin sliced
- 2 g yeast
- 10 g white granulated sugar adjust to taste
- 1 egg
- 120 g all-purpose flour
- 5 red dates for decoration
Instructions
Prepare the Pumpkin:
- Cut 120 grams of pumpkin into slices.
- Steam the pumpkin for 15 minutes or until fully cooked.
- Place the pumpkin in a bowl to cool, then mash it into a puree.
Mix the Ingredients:
- Add 2 grams of yeast, 10 grams of white granulated sugar, and 1 egg to the pumpkin puree. Mix well.
- Add 120 grams of all-purpose flour and stir until it forms a sticky dough with some resistance.
Fermentation:
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough ferment for about 45 minutes. The dough should double in size and become honeycombed.
- Stir the dough with chopsticks to release the air.
Prepare for Steaming:
- Grease a plate and pour the batter in, smoothing the surface.
- Place 5 red dates on top for decoration. This step is optional.
- Put the batter into a bamboo steamer with water underneath, cover it, and let it rise for another 10 minutes.
Steam the Fa Gao and Serve:
- Heat the steamer. Once the water boils, steam on medium-high heat for 20 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let it sit for another 5 minutes before serving.
- To remove it from the bowl easily, gently run a spatula or scraper around the edges, allowing the Fa Gao to slide out smoothly. Transfer it onto a cutting board and use a knife to slice it into bite-sized pieces. Serve and enjoy this delightful treat!
Leave a Reply