Soft and fluffy huat kueh (Fa Gao) infused with aromatic gula Melaka (palm sugar). The steamed cake gives a nice bloom (smiling huat kueh). The recipe doesn’t use yeast.
I enjoyed making huat kueh as much as making chiffon cake, especially when the cakes bloom open nicely 🙂 This gula Melaka huat kueh is one of my favorite huat kueh because of the nice aroma of gula Melaka. Traditional fa gao is usually made with rice and uses yeast. I made some easy rice flour huat kueh without yeast not too long ago. Rice flour-based huat kueh is not my favorite, to be honest. I prefer huat kueh made with all-purpose flour 🙂 They taste way better IMHO because it’s more like a cake and not dry like the ones made with rice or rice flour.
The recipe rundown
Taste: The right amount of sweetness
Texture: Soft and fluffy
Level: Medium
This recipe is almost similar to this pandan coconut huat kueh, which many have tried and love the taste and texture.
How to make gula Melaka huat kueh
1. Cut the gula Melaka into smaller pieces. Put this in a saucepan along with the coconut milk over low heat and stir until sugar melts. Let it cools down completely before using
2. Mix the dry ingredients and set aside. Fill up your steamer with water and start boiling the water. Make sure there’s enough water to steam over high heat for at least 15 minutes. The steamer needs to be ready to go when the cake batter is ready. Wrap the lid with a cloth to prevent water condensation drips on the cake. Line the muffin cups with paper liners
3. Place the egg and the granulated sugar in a mixing bowl. I use a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Start beating them at a high speed (speed 8 on Kitchen Aid) until the batter is pale and creamy. Turn the speed to medium (speed 4) and add the milk and beat until combined
4. Add the flour mixture, 1/3 at a time until they are combined. Add the oil and continue to beat until the batter is thick. Let me warn you that the batter is very thick
5. I actually transfer to a piping bag. You don’t need one, but it does make life easier. You can use two spoons to help you scoop and fill the cups
6. Pipe the batter about 3/4 full. Don’t fill it up all the way to the top or the split will overflow resulted in an irregular shape
7. Transfer to the steamer and steam on HIGH heat for 15 minutes. If your cakes are larger, you may need 18-20 minutes. DO NOT open the lid during steaming
8. Remove from the steamer after that and transfer out from the cup to a cooling rack after that so the bottom won’t be soggy and wet as water condensation accumulates at the bottom
Should you fill the cups with batter all the way?
I used to fill it up all the way to the top. But I do notice that when I don’t fill the cup all the way to the top, the bloom actually is “neater” and not overly big. I guess there’s no right and wrong here. I prefer a neater and sharper edge and I notice most of the cups that I filled only 3/4 full will give that result. Feel free to experiment and please share what you find 🙂
Did you make this gula Melaka huat kueh recipe?
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Gula Melaka Huat Kueh (Palm Sugar Steamed Cake - Bolu Kukus Mekar)
Ingredients
- 50 gr gula Jawa/gula Melaka
- 100 ml coconut milk
- 1 large egg (room temperature) about 58-60 grams each
- 50 gr granulated sugar
- 80 gr cooking oil
Dry ingredients:
- 200 gr all-purpose flour
- 2 gr salt
- 6 gr baking powder
Instructions
- Cut the gula Melaka into smaller pieces. Put this in a saucepan along with the coconut milk over low heat and stir until sugar melts. Let it cools down completely before using
- Mix the dry ingredients and set aside. Fill up your steamer with water and start boiling the water. Make sure there's enough water to steam over high heat for at least 15 minutes. The steamer needs to be ready to go when the cake batter is ready. Wrap the lid with a cloth to prevent water condensation drips on the cake. Line the muffin cups with paper liners
Prepare the cake batter:
- Place the egg and the granulated sugar in a mixing bowl. I use a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Start beating them at a high speed (speed 8 on Kitchen Aid) until the batter is pale and creamy. Turn the speed to medium (speed 4) and add the milk and beat until combine
- Add the flour mixture, 1/3 at a time until they are combined. Add the oil and continue to beat until the batter is thick. Let me warn you that the batter is very thick. I actually transfer to a piping bag. You don't need one, but it does make life easier. You can use two spoons to help you scoop
- Pipe the batter about 3/4 full. Don't fill it up all the way to the top or the split will overflow resulted in an irregular shape
Steam the cake:
- Transfer to the steamer and steam on HIGH heat for 15 minutes. If your cakes are larger, you may need 18-20 minutes. DO NOT open the lid during steaming
- Remove from the steamer after that and transfer out from the cup to a cooling rack after that so the bottom won't be soggy and wet as water condensation accumulates at the bottom
- Serve them warm or at room temperature
Storing:
- Once they have cooled down completely. Store them in an air-tight container for 3 days. For longer storage, individually wrap with a cling wrap and put inside a freezer bag, push all the air out and freeze for one month. Simply reheat from frozen state, in the steamer for 5 minutes or until heated through or use a microwave until heated through
7 comments
Making it with rice flour makes it a gluten free option for those with gluten intolerance and gluten allergies. It is also the traditional method of making it. It can be improvised and made better and taste better with rice flour with simple adjustment and playing around
Can I bake these in the oven like with a Bain Marie?
Hi Elaine, this huat kueh needs high heat in order for it to crack and split open on the top. I’m afraid Bain Marie in the oven may not give you that result.
Hi Marvellina, can i check the baking powder is baking soda? thanks.
Hi Lily, this recipe uses baking powder, NOT baking soda. Please do not substitute baking powder with baking soda. I hope that helps to clarify.
Is there a conversion of this recipe using measurements by spoon and cups, please?
I have converted to spoon and cups. I have to warn you that they are not very accurate though. I prefer to weigh my ingredients.