Chinese New Year Cake | 年糕

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Red bean filling:

  • 2 cups dried red beans
  • 1 cup sugar 
  • 1/2 pound large dates
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil

Cake:

  • 1 pound glutinous rice flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/2 pound large dates
  • Sesame oil to grease pan

Begin by soaking all the dates in water. This makes it easier to remove the pits. If you got pitless dates, then you can skip this step.

For filling, place the red beans in a pot and submerge with water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 2 hours. Add the 1/2 pound of dates and continue simmering for another hour. Remove from heat at the end of 3 hours and fold in sugar and canola oil. Stir until smooth. 

For the glutinous rice cake, mix the flour and water together in a large bowl. Knead until soft dough forms. Add brown sugar and continue kneading until completely incorporated.  

Grease a pie or tart pan with sesame oil. Using your hands, press half the dough mixture into the pan to form something like a pie shell. Add the filling. Flatten remaining dough with hands and cover filling. Pinch edges to seal along edge of dough base. Decorate top with remaining 1/2 pound of dates.

Place pan in steamer and steam for one hour. If you don't have a steamer you can use a bamboo basket in a wok with water in the bottom. Make sure water does not completely evaporate during the hour. Remove from heat and serve. 

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