This Steamed Red Date Cake is a soft, chewy dessert made with glutinous rice flour and sweet red dates. It’s easy to prepare, comforting, and perfect for any time of the day. Follow my step-by-step guide to create this delicious treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
People in China love all kinds of steamed cakes, and I’ve shared several recipes on my blog, such as Fermented Rice Cake, Black Sesame Rice Cakes, Steamed Egg Cake, and Osmanthus Rice Cake.
But if you’re looking for a quick, easy, and incredibly delicious steamed cake to make, I can confidently say that this Steamed Red Date Cake is by far the easiest!
Once it’s steamed, this cake is soft, chewy, and filled with the natural sweetness and rich fragrance of red dates.
The best part? It requires only four simple ingredients, one of which is optional, making it a convenient treat to whip up anytime.
If you prefer an oven-baked version, you can check out my Jujube Cake with Walnut recipe!
About Glutinous Rice Flour
In China, glutinous rice flour is a staple ingredient in many beloved desserts, such as Taro Mochi, Glutinous Rice Balls (Tang Yuan), and Red Bean Sticky Rice Cake.
Don’t be confused by its name—it is completely gluten-free!
Glutinous rice flour is made from glutinous rice, which is a type of rice that’s particularly sticky when cooked, and this stickiness is what gives many traditional cakes and desserts their soft, chewy texture.
Tips for Success
Not all glutinous rice flours are created equal.
Some brands may absorb liquid differently, so when adding the whole milk to the dough, I recommend doing it slowly. Pour the milk in gradually while stirring continuously with chopsticks to ensure the dough forms a smooth, shaggy texture.
If you find that the dough is too dry while kneading, you can add a little extra milk to reach the right consistency.
However, since this dough should be a bit drier than others to hold its shape when steamed, adding too much liquid can make it too soft.
On the flip side, if the dough feels too wet, you can easily adjust it by adding a small amount of extra glutinous rice flour.
I’ve also added raisins to this recipe, but they’re completely optional! If you don’t have raisins or just don’t like them, you can replace them with dried cranberries or leave them out entirely.
Ingredients
- 80g red dates (pitted), plus 6 whole red dates, cut in half, for decoration
- 40g raisins (optional, can be omitted if unavailable)
- 300g glutinous rice flour
- 250g whole milk
Instructions
Prepare the red dates:
Clean the red dates thoroughly, then use scissors to cut them into small pieces. Remove the pits as you go.
Mix the ingredients:
In a large container, add the chopped red dates and 40g of raisins (if using). Pour 300g of glutinous rice flour into the container. Slowly add 250g of whole milk, stirring continuously with chopsticks to form a shaggy dough. Make sure to mix until it forms a dough that is slightly dry but holds together well.
Knead the dough:
Once the dough has come together, knead it with your hands until it forms a slightly dry dough ball.
Shape and cut the dough:
Transfer the kneaded dough onto a work surface (chopping board). Roll it into a rectangular log shape, flattening it with a scraper if necessary. Once shaped, use a knife to cut the dough into evenly sized pieces, each about 3-4 cm in length. After cutting, gently reshape each piece to make sure they are uniform in size.
Decorate and arrange:
Place half a red date on top of each piece of dough for decoration. Arrange the pieces neatly on a steaming rack lined with parchment paper.
Steam the red date cake:
Add enough water to your steamer and bring it to a boil over high heat. Place the steaming rack with the red date cakes in the steamer, then reduce the heat to medium and steam for 15 minutes.
Serve and enjoy:
After 15 minutes, open the steamer lid carefully. Remove the steamed cakes from the steamer and allow them to cool down slightly before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover red date cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. You can also refrigerate them for longer storage and steam them again before serving.
Can I use another kind of milk?
Yes, you can substitute the whole milk with any plant-based milk if you prefer. Just keep in mind that it may slightly alter the flavor, but it will still work wonderfully.
Steamed Red Date Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 80 g red dates pitted, plus 6 whole red dates, cut in half, for decoration
- 40 g raisins optional, can be omitted if unavailable
- 300 g glutinous rice flour
- 250 g whole milk
Instructions
Prepare the red dates:
- Clean the red dates thoroughly, then use scissors to cut them into small pieces. Remove the pits as you go.
Mix the ingredients:
- In a large container, add the chopped red dates and 40g of raisins (if using). Pour 300g of glutinous rice flour into the container. Slowly add 250g of whole milk, stirring continuously with chopsticks to form a shaggy dough. Make sure to mix until it forms a dough that is slightly dry but holds together well.
Knead the dough:
- Once the dough has come together, knead it with your hands until it forms a slightly dry dough ball.
Shape and cut the dough:
- Transfer the kneaded dough onto a work surface (chopping board). Roll it into a rectangular log shape, flattening it with a scraper if necessary. Once shaped, use a knife to cut the dough into evenly sized pieces, each about 3-4 cm in length. After cutting, gently reshape each piece to make sure they are uniform in size.
Decorate and arrange:
- Place half a red date on top of each piece of dough for decoration. Arrange the pieces neatly on a steaming rack lined with parchment paper.
Steam the red date cake:
- Add enough water to your steamer and bring it to a boil over high heat. Place the steaming rack with the red date cakes in the steamer, then reduce the heat to medium and steam for 15 minutes.
Serve and enjoy:
- After 15 minutes, open the steamer lid carefully. Remove the steamed cakes from the steamer and allow them to cool down slightly before serving.
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