Description
Steamed Vietnamese Honeycomb Cake is a delightful, airy dessert known for its chewy, spongy texture and delicate honeycomb structure. Made with rice flour, tapioca starch, coconut milk, and yeast, it’s naturally gluten-free and perfect for sharing. Optional pandan adds a fragrant aroma and vibrant green hue.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice flour
- 1/4 cup tapioca starch
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup warm water
- Vegetable oil, for greasing
- 1/2 tsp pandan extract or a few drops of green food colouring (optional)
Instructions
- Dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water; let sit for about 10 minutes until foamy to activate the yeast.
- In a large bowl, combine rice flour, tapioca starch, and salt. Gradually add coconut milk while stirring until the mixture is smooth.
- Stir in the yeast mixture. If using pandan extract or food colouring, add it now and mix well.
- Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and let the batter rest in a warm spot for 2–3 hours until it ferments, rises, and becomes bubbly.
- Lightly grease ramekins or a large steaming tray with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Gently stir the batter to redistribute bubbles. Pour into the greased containers, filling them only halfway to allow room for expansion.
- Bring water to a boil in a steamer. Place the ramekins or tray inside and steam for 15–20 minutes.
- Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
- Remove from the steamer and let cool slightly. Carefully remove the cakes from the moulds.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use warm (not hot) water to activate yeast effectively without killing it.
- Ensure your yeast is fresh for proper fermentation and honeycomb texture.
- Steamed cakes are best consumed within 1–2 days for optimal texture.
- Store covered at room temperature and reheat briefly before serving.
- Pandan is optional but adds traditional aroma and green color.
- Can be made in a large tray or individual ramekins—adjust steaming time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
