How to Steam Cook a Cake

Cakes can be steamed as well as baked, resulting in a light, tender cake that is very moist and has fewer crumbs than a baked cake. Some traditional Western steamed cakes include fruitcake and plum pudding as well as quick breads like Boston brown bread, while Asian cultures enjoy a sponge cake cooked in a bamboo steamer over simmering water. To steam a cake, you will need a bamboo steamer large enough to hold the cake pan, and a wok or similarly wide pan. The steamer must be covered while the cake cooks so that heat surrounds the entire cake.

Step 1.

Line the bottom of the cake pan with parchment paper.

Step 2.

Add water to the wok and place it over a burner set to high heat.

Step 3.

Bring the water in the wok to a full boil, then turn down the heat to low.

Step 4.

Sift the cake flour and measure out 1 cup of the sifted flour.

Step 5.

Combine the cake flour with the baking powder and salt in a small mixing bowl.

Step 6.

Separate the eggs and combine the egg yolks and sugar in a separate bowl.

Step 7.

Beat the eggs and sugar with the mixer until the egg yolks have tripled in volume and the mixture forms a ribbon on the batter's surface when you lift the beater out of the bowl.

Step 8.

Gently stir in the almond extract.

Step 9.

Sift the dry ingredients over the egg yolks and fold them in gently with a spatula.

Step 10.

Whip the egg whites and cream of tartar in a clean bowl until they are glossy and form stiff but not dry peaks. Fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture.

Step 11.

Pour the cake batter into the cake pan.

Step 12.

Turn up the heat under the wok to bring the water to a boil.

Step 13.

Turn the heat down to medium and place the cake pan in the bamboo steamer over the simmering water.

Step 14.

Cover and steam the pan for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake's middle comes out clean.

Step 15.

Invert the cake onto a plate and remove the parchment paper.

Things You Will Need

• 9-inch round cake pan

• Parchment paper

• Wok

• 1 cup sifted cake flour

• 1 tsp. baking powder

• 1/4 tsp. salt

• Small mixing bowl

• Mixer with bowl and whisk attachment

• 5 eggs

• 3/4 to 1 cup sugar

• Spatula

• Mixer bowl for egg whites

• 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

• 1 tsp. almond extract

• Bamboo steamer

• Cake plate

Tip

Use vanilla instead of almond extract or omit the almond extract altogether if desired.

Use 3/4 cup sugar and add 1 tbsp. strong honey to add a different flavor to the cake.

Add lemon or orange zest instead of almond extract.

If there is room, cover the steamer with a towel and put the lid over the towel. It will prevent water from dripping into the cake.

Top the cake with sifted powdered sugar

Serve the cake with fruit and whipped cream.