Hubei-style Sweet Rice Cake

Ingredients

In this Hubei-style adaptation, the traditional Italian Pandolce is transformed into a sweet rice cake with a Hubei twist. The original Pandolce is typically made with all-purpose flour, dried fruits, and nuts, while this Hubei version uses glutinous rice flour and red bean paste. The flavors are also altered, with the addition of fragrant osmanthus flowers and the omission of traditional Italian spices. We alse have the original recipe for Pandolce, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (300g) glutinous rice flour 2 cups (300g) glutinous rice flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (120ml) water 1/2 cup (120ml) water
• 1/4 cup (60g) red bean paste 1/4 cup (60g) red bean paste
• 1 tablespoon dried osmanthus flowers 1 tablespoon dried osmanthus flowers

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 7g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 15g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.01g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the glutinous rice flour, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and water. Mix well until a smooth batter is formed.
2. 2.
   Grease a round cake pan with oil and pour half of the batter into the pan.
3. 3.
   Spoon the red bean paste onto the batter, spreading it evenly.
4. 4.
   Sprinkle the dried osmanthus flowers over the red bean paste.
5. 5.
   Pour the remaining batter over the red bean paste and osmanthus flowers, ensuring it covers the filling completely.
6. 6.
   Place the cake pan in a steamer and steam over high heat for 40 minutes.
7. 7.
   Remove the cake from the steamer and let it cool before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Glutinous rice flour — Make sure to use glutinous rice flour specifically, as it gives the cake its characteristic chewy texture.
• Red bean paste — Look for a smooth and creamy red bean paste for the best results. If unavailable, you can make your own by cooking and mashing red beans with sugar.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor, you can add a teaspoon of orange zest to the batter.
• If you prefer a sweeter cake, you can increase the amount of brown sugar to your liking.
• Serve the Sweet Rice Cake warm for a delightful treat, or refrigerate it for a firmer texture.

Serving advice

Serve the Hubei-style Sweet Rice Cake as a dessert or snack. It pairs well with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can sprinkle some additional osmanthus flowers on top of the cake before serving. You can also garnish the plate with a few fresh osmanthus flowers for an elegant touch.