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chinese nian gao sweet rice cake recipe

Chinese Nian Gao Sweet Rice Cake

Nian Gao is a traditional Chinese sweet rice cake that’s soft, chewy, and lightly sweet. Often enjoyed during Chinese New Year, this sticky rice cake is easy to make at home and can be served steamed, baked, or pan-fried.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 179
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups glutinous rice flour
  • 1 ¾ cups water
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Optional: a few drops vanilla extract dried fruits, or red bean paste

Method
 

Prepare the Sugar Syrup:
  1. Combine brown sugar and water in a small saucepan.
  2. Heat gently until sugar dissolves. Let cool to room temperature.
  3. Mix the Batter:
  4. Place glutinous rice flour in a mixing bowl.
  5. Slowly pour in cooled sugar syrup, stirring continuously until smooth.
  6. Add vegetable oil and mix well.
  7. Fold in optional ingredients like red bean paste or dried fruits if desired.
Steam the Cake:
  1. Grease a round or square cake pan.
  2. Pour the batter into the pan evenly.
  3. Steam over medium heat for 40–50 minutes. Cover to prevent water from dripping on top.
  4. Optional Baked Version:
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  6. After steaming, cool slightly and bake for 15–20 minutes until the surface is golden.
Cool and Serve:
  1. Let the cake cool completely before slicing.
  2. Serve plain, pan-fried with sesame seeds, or cubed for desserts.

Notes

  • Use fresh glutinous rice flour for the best texture.
  • Make sure to cool the cake completely before slicing to avoid sticking.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or frozen for 1–2 months.
  • For a festive touch, you can add small swirls of red bean paste or sesame seeds on top.