Sticky, soft, chewy, and addictive with a layer of sweetened red bean paste in the middle.
Chewy rice cakes, in many forms both sweet and savory, are popular in several Asian cuisines.
(Confused yet?)
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
My baked Nian Gao is dense and chewy, similar to the texture of a soft gummy bear.
The enjoyable bouncy chew is one of its big draws.
The Nian Gao were meant to be sliced into slabs, dipped into egg, and then pan-fried.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
Baked Nian Gao is a sweet, dense and chewy rice cake made of glutinous rice flour.
Its sticky, soft and chewy, a little greasy, and very addictive.
Hot out of the oven, its very sticky and gooey and difficult to wrangle.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
Its much easier to cut and handle if you let it cool down to room temperature.
It is layered or dotted with a sweetened red bean paste, a common ingredient in Asian desserts.
I will admit, this is not the prettiest dessert youll ever see.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
Like a Dutch baby pancake, it puffs up and then collapses.
But when cut into small squares, its more than respectable.
Not only is baked Nian Gao quick and easy but its filling.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
A 9x13-inch pan of it, cut into 2-or 3-inch bite sized pieces can feed a crowd.
Additionally, it can be made ahead of time.
What Is Glutinous Rice Flour?
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
Despite the name,glutinous rice flouris gluten-free.
Do not use regular rice flour for this recipe, it will not work.
Kado Farms Mochiko sweet rice flour, packaged in a cardboard box, is another reputable brand.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
What Is Red Bean Paste?
They are packaged both in cans or in plastic bags.
If you want to make this a gluten-free dessert, ensure there are no gluten ingredients in the paste.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
Its also perfectly fine to dollop spoonfuls of either the paste or mashed into the middle layer.
Ingredient Swaps and Substitutions
This recipe is pretty forgiving and can handle many substitutions.
Use what you have in your pantry.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
Sticky Rice Cake Variations
Baked sticky rice cakes are popular in both Hawaiian and Filipino cuisine.
Serving Suggestions
Nian Gao is best served with hot tea.
it’s possible for you to also store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
you’re able to also freeze Nian Gao for up to 3 months.
If freezing, wrap in plastic wrap and place in a tightly sealed container.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bring to room temperature before serving.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
As with Nian Gao store in the refrigerator, warming it in the microwave makes it softer and chewier.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt.
If the brown sugar is clumpy, use your fingers to break it up.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients.
Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to mix the ingredients together.
If you start with the whisk, everything clumps up in the whisk.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
Switch over to a whisk once everything is mixed together, and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes.
The batter will look and feel like a slightly loose pancake batter.
Pour half of the batter, about 3 cups, into the prepared baking dish.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
Set the remaining batter aside, youll add the remaining batter later.
Bake until partially set, 12 to 15 minutes.
The edges should look somewhat dry, but the center will still be damp.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
Carefully remove the pan from the oven.
Dollop the bean paste in small spoonfuls (about 1/2 teaspoonfuls) all over the cake.
Pour the remaining batter over the bean paste and return to the oven.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
Sometimes the cake will puff up like a Dutch baby pancake and then fall as it cools.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely in the pan.
Let it rest for at least 4 hours.
Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu
Its very sticky and gooey if you cut it while its still hot.
The longer it rests, the easier it is to handle.
Cut into 2 or 3-inch pieces.
Serve Nian Gao with tea, if you like.
