Steaming Cake Perfection With Your Rice Cooker

Rice cookers are a great alternative to ovens when it comes to baking cakes. They are more energy-efficient than stovetops and can be used to make a variety of cakes, including banana cake, chiffon cake, chocolate cake, and more. The texture of the cake may not be exactly the same as those made in an oven, but it will still turn out moist and delicious.

To bake a cake in a rice cooker, simply prepare the cake batter as you normally would and pour it into the rice cooker. Depending on your rice cooker, you may need to do this in several batches. Turn on the rice cooker and let the cake bake. Check to see if your cake is done by touching it lightly – if it springs back, it's ready. You can also insert a toothpick, and if it comes out clean, your cake is good to go.

So, the next time you're craving cake but don't want to use your oven, give your rice cooker a try! It's a simple and energy-efficient way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Prepare the ingredients

The ingredients you will need to steam a cake in a rice cooker will depend on the type of cake you want to make. Here are some examples of the ingredients you will need for different types of cakes:

• Banana cake: ripe bananas, eggs, sugar, unsalted butter, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Strawberry cake: cake mix, eggs, water, oil or butter, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream.
• Chocolate cake: chocolate cake mix, egg, butter or vegetable oil, water, and grated cheese (optional).
• Matcha chiffon cake: white chocolate, sugar, warm milk, eggs, all-purpose flour, green tea powder, and baking powder.
• Simple Chinese steamed rice cake: rice flour, sugar, and instant yeast.
• Chinese steamed rice cake with fermentation: rice, sugar, salt, dry yeast, and water.

Once you have chosen the type of cake you want to make, gather all the necessary ingredients and measure them out according to the recipe. If your rice cooker has a non-stick coating, you may not need to grease and flour it. Otherwise, lightly grease and flour the pot before adding your cake batter.

Now you are ready to start mixing your ingredients!

Mix the batter

To mix the batter for a cake in a rice cooker, you will need a large mixing bowl and a whisk or an electric beater. For a banana cake, you will need to whisk the egg whites until they reach a medium peak, adding sugar in three batches. Then, add the egg yolks, pureed banana, melted butter, and vanilla essence to the egg whites, mixing each ingredient in completely before adding the next.

For a strawberry cake, you can use a wire whisk or an electric beater to mix the cake batter. Simply put all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix until they are thoroughly combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this will result in a tough cake.

If you are making a biscuit fluffy sponge cake, you will need to separate the eggs and whisk the whites and yolks separately, adding sugar to both. For a matcha chiffon cake, you will need to whisk together the egg whites, sugar, and warm milk, and in a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks, sugar, and warm milk. For a rice cooker chocolate cake, simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

If you are making a Chinese steamed rice cake, you will need to first mix the rice flour with room temperature water until it forms clumps. Then, in a separate pot, boil sugar and water, and pour this mixture into the rice flour mixture. Whisk until smooth, then allow the batter to cool to 38°C. Next, add instant yeast and whisk to combine.

For a simple rice cake, mix rice flour and tapioca starch with boiling hot water. It is important to use hot water as it cooks the dough, making it flexible and pliable. Pour about half of the water into the bowl and stir, then gradually add the rest. Continue stirring until all the water is absorbed. Allow the dough to cool for a few minutes, then begin kneading.

Rest the batter

Resting the batter is an important step in the cake-making process. It allows the ingredients to come together and ensures that the cake will have the desired texture and rise appropriately. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for resting the batter when making a cake in a rice cooker:

• After mixing the wet and dry ingredients, it is crucial to let the batter rest before pouring it into the rice cooker. The resting time can vary depending on the recipe and the type of cake you are making. For some cakes, such as a banana cake, it is recommended to pour the batter into the rice cooker immediately after mixing to prevent the batter from sitting too long before baking.
• During the resting period, the batter should be covered to prevent it from drying out. You can use plastic wrap or a lid to cover the bowl containing the batter.
• The ideal resting time will depend on the recipe and the specific ingredients used. For some cakes, a shorter resting time may be preferable to maintain the airy texture of the batter.
• It is important to note that the batter should not be overmixed during the resting period. Overmixing can cause the cake to become tough and dense.
• If you are using a recipe that requires the separation of eggs, such as the banana cake recipe, it is essential to fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients gently. This will help maintain the airy texture of the batter.
• The resting time can also depend on the type of rice cooker you are using. If your rice cooker has a "cake mode" or a specific setting for baking cakes, you may not need to rest the batter for as long.
• Additionally, the ambient temperature can impact the resting time. In warmer environments, the batter may rest and rise more quickly, while in cooler environments, it may take longer.
• If your recipe includes yeast, such as the Chinese steamed rice cake, the resting time is crucial for allowing the yeast to activate and create air bubbles in the batter. For this type of cake, it is recommended to rest the batter in a warm oven (75°C or 170°F) for about 40 minutes or until the volume is roughly doubled, and you notice many small bubbles on the batter's surface.
• If you are using active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, you will need to modify the steps. Instead of boiling 150 grams of sugar with 370 ml of water, use only 150 ml of water with 350 ml of water. Additionally, mix 20 ml of warm water (38°C or 100°F) with the active dry yeast and wait until it becomes foamy (about 5-10 minutes) before adding it to the warm batter.

Prepare the steamer

To prepare the steamer, you will need a large pot, a steaming rack, and two large plates or small pans. You can also use a wok or a large sauté pan with deep sides if you don't have a large pot. The plates or pans should be lined with parchment paper to prevent the rice cakes from sticking.

If your lid is made of glass or metal, you should wrap it with a towel to prevent condensation from dripping onto the rice cakes. Alternatively, you can use a bamboo steamer, which does not usually cause this problem.

Steam the cake

Now that you have prepared your rice cooker, it's time to steam the cake. Here are the steps you need to follow:

• Pour the batter into the rice cooker: Most rice cookers have a non-stick coating, so you can pour the cake batter directly into the cooker.
• Turn on the rice cooker: Depending on your rice cooker model, you may need to press the "cook" button or select a specific setting. Some modern rice cookers even have a convenient "cake mode."
• Repeat the cooking cycle: Depending on your rice cooker, you may need to repeat the cooking cycle two to four times. Each cycle typically involves cooking the cake until the cooker switches to "warm," waiting for 10 minutes, and then repeating.
• Check the cake for doneness: After the initial cooking cycle, open the rice cooker lid and use a cake tester or a toothpick to check if the cake is fully cooked. If not, close the lid and repeat the cooking cycle.
• Remove the cake from the rice cooker: Once the cake is done, remove the pot from the rice cooker and place a plate over it. Flip the pot upside down, and the cake should easily come out onto the plate.
• Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving. You can also frost the cake or serve it with toppings like whipped cream and fresh fruit.

By following these steps, you can steam a delicious cake in your rice cooker. Remember to adjust the cooking cycles and times based on your specific rice cooker model. Enjoy your freshly steamed cake!

Frequently asked questions