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Traditional Chinese Song Gao (Steamed Rice Cake) (1)
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Easy Homemade Song Gao – Chinese Rice Cake

This fluffy, lightly sweet rice cake is made with a mix of rice flour and glutinous rice flour. Steamed to perfection and topped with sesame—no mixer or oven needed!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Chinese
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 476kcal

Ingredients

Dry ingredients:

  • 300 g rice flour regular rice flour, not glutinous; gives a fluffy texture
  • 120 g glutinous rice flour adds chewiness; can adjust to your preference

Liquid:

  • 80 g white sugar reduce to 60 g for lower sugar
  • 200 ml hot water about 60°C; not boiling to avoid cooking the flour

Toppings (optional):

  • 10 g black or white sesame seeds or use chopped red dates or dried osmanthus for a traditional flavor

Instructions

Dissolve sugar and mix with flours

  • Pour the sugar into hot water and stir clockwise with chopsticks until fully dissolved. Let cool to about 40°C (warm to the touch, not hot).
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine rice flour and glutinous rice flour. Stir well with chopsticks. Gradually pour in the warm sugar water while stirring. Wear gloves and rub the mixture with your hands to break up large lumps.

Sift and rest the mixture

  • Sift the flour mixture through a fine mesh sieve once. Note: This is a crucial step for achieving a fine, fluffy texture.

Prepare the mold and add flour mixture

  • Line a steamer basket with a steaming cloth. Place a mousse ring on top.
  • Gently pour the sifted flour mixture into the mold. Level the surface with a scraper or spatula. Do not press down—this will make the cake dense. Aim for a thickness of 3–4 cm.

Score the surface and steam

  • Use a knife to lightly score 3×3 cm squares on the surface (don't cut all the way through—this makes cutting easier later). Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly on top.
  • Boil water in a steamer. Place the mold in the basket, cover with a lid, and steam over medium heat for 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 476kcal | Carbohydrates: 105g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 0.2IU | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg