Prosperity Cakes (Fa Gao)
Prosperity Cakes (Fa Gao)
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix, (standard size, approximately 15.25 ounces)
- 4 3/4 ounces glutinous rice flour, (approximately 1/3 of a 14.1-ounce bag)
- 2 eggs, large
- 1 cup water
- as needed purple food coloring
- as needed green food coloring
- as needed ube flavoring, optional
- as needed pandan flavoring, optional
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the entire box of cake mix, 4 3/4 ounces of glutinous rice flour, 2 large eggs, and 1 cup of water. Whisk or use chopsticks to mix the ingredients thoroughly until a smooth, lump-free batter is formed.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Divide the prepared batter evenly into two separate bowls.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
To the first bowl, add purple food coloring and ube flavoring (if using). Mix well until the batter is uniformly purple. To the second bowl, add green food coloring and pandan flavoring (if using). Mix well until the batter is uniformly green.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Line individual molds or a muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Spoon the colored batters into the prepared cupcake liners. You can fill some liners with only green batter, some with only purple batter, or create swirled cakes by alternating spoonfuls of both colors.
⏱️ 4 min
- 6
For cakes with swirled batter, use a knife or the end of a chopstick to gently score a cross-shaped pattern on the top surface of the batter in each liner. This encourages the cakes to crack beautifully during steaming, symbolizing good luck.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Arrange the filled cupcake liners on a steamer rack. Ensure there is enough space between each cake for proper steaming.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Place the steamer rack into a steamer pot. Ensure the water in the pot is already boiling vigorously. Cover the steamer pot tightly with a lid.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Steam the cakes on high heat for 25 minutes. It is crucial not to open the steamer lid during this entire steaming process to ensure the cakes rise and crack properly.
⏱️ 25 min
- 10
Once steamed, carefully remove the Prosperity Cakes from the steamer. The tops should have 'bloomed' and cracked, resembling flowers. Allow them to cool slightly before serving. These cakes are a delightful symbol of prosperity, growth, and good luck for the year ahead.
⏱️ 6 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Prosperity Cakes (Fa Gao)
- 1 box cake mix, (standard size, approximately 15.25 ounces)
- 4 3/4 ounces glutinous rice flour, (approximately 1/3 of a 14.1-ounce bag)
- 2 eggs, large
- 1 cup water
- as needed purple food coloring
- as needed green food coloring
- as needed ube flavoring, optional
- as needed pandan flavoring, optional
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the entire box of cake mix, 4 3/4 ounces of glutinous rice flour, 2 large eggs, and 1 cup of water. Whisk or use chopsticks to mix the ingredients thoroughly until a smooth, lump-free batter is formed.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Divide the prepared batter evenly into two separate bowls.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
To the first bowl, add purple food coloring and ube flavoring (if using). Mix well until the batter is uniformly purple. To the second bowl, add green food coloring and pandan flavoring (if using). Mix well until the batter is uniformly green.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Line individual molds or a muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Spoon the colored batters into the prepared cupcake liners. You can fill some liners with only green batter, some with only purple batter, or create swirled cakes by alternating spoonfuls of both colors.
⏱️ 4 min - 6
For cakes with swirled batter, use a knife or the end of a chopstick to gently score a cross-shaped pattern on the top surface of the batter in each liner. This encourages the cakes to crack beautifully during steaming, symbolizing good luck.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Arrange the filled cupcake liners on a steamer rack. Ensure there is enough space between each cake for proper steaming.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Place the steamer rack into a steamer pot. Ensure the water in the pot is already boiling vigorously. Cover the steamer pot tightly with a lid.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Steam the cakes on high heat for 25 minutes. It is crucial not to open the steamer lid during this entire steaming process to ensure the cakes rise and crack properly.
⏱️ 25 min - 10
Once steamed, carefully remove the Prosperity Cakes from the steamer. The tops should have 'bloomed' and cracked, resembling flowers. Allow them to cool slightly before serving. These cakes are a delightful symbol of prosperity, growth, and good luck for the year ahead.
⏱️ 6 min