Chinese Steamed Sponge Cake Perfect For Strawberry Shortcake Recipes

CHINESE STEAMED SPONGE CAKE (PERFECT FOR STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE)

Steps:

• SPONGE CAKE: Sift the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda together.
• Melt the shortening in a double boiler. Stir in oil and allow to cool.
• Beat the eggs in a bowl. Add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is thick and foamy Stir in the milk and oil. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts. Gently stir flour mixture into the egg mixture. Let stand 5 minutes.
• Pour into a greased 9 inch round cake tin, and spread evenly across tin with back of spoon.
• Place cake tin into a steamer and cover. If you do not have a steamer, you can place the cake tin on top of a vegetable steaming rack, a cookie cooling rack, or criss cross several large spoons in the bottom of a large pot. I place my cake tin on top of a cookie cooling rack in the bottom of a large pot filled with a half inch of water, and this works fine.
• Cover with a lid and steam for 25 minutes. When removing the lid, do not allow the condensation from the lid to drip on the cake. The top of the cake may be moist in the center from the condensation dripping from the lid while cooking. This is fine and the center of the cake will air dry once you remove the cake from the steamer.
• Carefully remove cake tin from steamer. Remove the cake from the tin while it is still hot to a plate. Cut into 6 to 8 wedges and serve hot or cold. Can be eaten by itself or topped with Strawberry Topping and Sweetened Whipped Cream.
• STRAWBERRY TOPPING: To make Strawberry Topping, drain strawberries, reserving 3/4 cup strawberry juice.
• In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in reserved strawberry juice.
• Over medium heat, bring to a boil. Stirring constantly, boil for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat, and cool slightly. Stir in strawberries. Cool completely. Makes 3 cups.
• SWEETENED WHIPPED CREAM: To make Sweetened Whipped Cream, beat heavy whipping cream and 2 tablespoons sugar in chilled bowl with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Makes 4 cups.

EASY STEAMED SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Put eggs and sugar into mixing bowl.
• Beat on high for 5 minutes until creamy.
• Add rest of ingredients.
• Blend on low for 3-5 minutes until smooth.
• Line 9-inch cake pan with wax paper.
• Pour mixture into cake pan.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Steam for 15 minutes, knife should come out clean when inserted.

MA LAI KOE (CHINESE STEAMED SPONGE CAKE)

Steps:

• Sift flours and custard powder into a large mixing bowl. Stir in sugar; mix. Add melted butter, essence, treacle and milk. Beat in eggs and use a hand whisk to mix until mixture is smooth.
• Sift in baking powder to combine. Pour batter into a lightly greased 20-22cm round cake tin.
• Put into a steamer and steam over rapid boiling water on high heat for 30-35 minutes or until cooked through.
• Remove steamed sponge from the steamer and set aside to cool completely before cutting into pieces.

CHINESE STEAMED CAKE

Steps:

• Arrange a large bamboo steamer or a large vegetable steamer over simmering water.
• Make sure it is large enough to hold the baking pan.
• Line a 9 inch square pan with waxed paper.
• Separate the eggs.
• Place the yolks in a large bowl along with the sugar and water.
• Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture has increased about three times in volume.
• Whisk together the flour and the baking powder; sift this over the egg mixture, and fold in gently.
• Blend in the extract.
• Whip the egg whites in a clean bowl to stiff, not dry, peaks.
• Fold into yolk base.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and smooth out to edges.
• Rap the pan on the counter to get rid of large air bubbles.
• Place the pan into the steamer.
• Cover the top of the steamer with a kitchen towel, and place the lid on top; the towel will absorb any steam that collects on top from dripping onto the cake.
• Steam for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool on a wire rack.
• Dust with confectioner's sugar.