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    Home / Breakfast and Brunch Recipes / Light and Spongy Chinese Steamed Cake - Ma Lai Goh

    Jul 23, 2015 · Last Updated: Oct 18, 2021

    Light and Spongy Chinese Steamed Cake - Ma Lai Goh

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

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    This Chinese Steamed Cake is so light, airy and spongy! It is quick and simple to make, and a delicious treat for a Chinese brunch. Made with coconut milk and muscovado sugar, the rich taste will leave you craving for more.  

    Ma Lai Goh Chinese Steamed Cake

    After our trip to Norway, we made a quick pit stop back in London for one night, and then headed off to Hong Kong to attend a wedding.

    I had been looking forward to Hong Kong for months. I love the street food, the desserts and, of course, the dim sum. But in the days leading up to the trip, the morning sickness went full throttle! I ended up staying in the hotel all day, switching between HBO and the books on my iPad.

    Steamed Ma Lai Goh is a delicious cake to have in the morning

    I couldn't bear to think about food at all, or even touching The Worktop. It's a funny thing being a food blogger and having morning sickness.

    Ma Lai Goh Chinese Steamed Cake

    I pulled it together for the wedding and banquet, but died a little inside when I saw the banquet menu was all seafood. Being a port city, Hong Kong can have some of the tastiest seafood dishes, but that doesn't help when you have an allergy to shellfish (which is why you'll never see a recipe on here with prawn, crab, or lobster!).

    This steamed cake is a delicious dim sum specialty

    So when I mentioned this to those around me, the automatic response was "well, just have a little bit then." Thanks, but no thanks. I rather not look like a puffer fish.

    Ma La Goh Chinese Steamed Cake

    As each course was served, I could only smile politely at the server and shake my head to decline it.  It went on for nine courses. Crab? No thanks. Abalone? No thanks. Prawn? No thanks. Scallops? No thanks. Noodles with abalone sauce? No thanks. Minced pork served in crab shells? No thanks...

    This Chinese Steamed Cake is light and airy, and packed with flavor

    This meal might sound delicious to some, but with my allergy and the full-on morning sickness, I can only say it's lucky the only barfing at the party was done by those who had had too much alcohol :P

    Ma Lai Goh

    It was a bit of a rough night, but the next morning, I got myself a piece of delicious Chinese Steamed Cake - Ma Lai Goh. It was just what I needed. Now why couldn't they serve this at the banquet??

    Enjoy local asian flavors in this Chinese Steamed Cake

    Since we all can't be in Hong Kong to enjoy this light, airy and spongy Chinese Steamed Cake, here's a recipe so you can make it at home!

    Ma La Goh Chinese Steamed Cake
    Ma Lai Goh

    Ma Lai Goh - Chinese Steamed Cake

    4.38 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Serves: 8 slices
    Prep: 10 mins
    Cook: 30 mins
    Total: 40 mins
    This Chinese Steamed Cake is so light, airy and spongy! It is quick and simple to make, and a delicious treat for a Chinese brunch. Made with coconut milk and muscovado sugar, the rich taste will leave you craving for more.

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 4 large eggs
    • ¾ cup muscovado sugar
    • ¼ cup plus 3 tablespoons canned coconut milk
    • ¼ cup unsalted butter - melted
    • ½ teaspoon quality vanilla extract
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Line an 8-inch bamboo steamer with parchment paper. Find a wok or pot that the steamer will fit in snugly, or where it can hover over the wok or pot. Fill the wok or pot with about 2 inches of water, making sure that the water will not reach the bottom of the steamer. Set it aside until the cake batter is done.
    • In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and baking soda.
    • In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer on low speed, beat together the eggs and muscovado sugar for 2 minutes. Add in the coconut milk, butter and vanilla and continue to beat for another minute.
    • Using a spatula, fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture, being careful not to over mix. Pour the mixture into the steamer and cover.
    • On medium heat, bring the water in the wok or pot to a simmer. Carefully place the steamer in the wok. Steam for 30 minutes, adding more water to the wok or pot as needed so that it does not dry out.
    • Remove the steamer from the wok or pot and let it sit for 5 minutes before removing the lid to the steamer. Serve warm.
    Course: Breads and Muffins, Cake, Eggs, Snack
    Author: The Worktop
    Cal : 240kcal
    Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
    Love this?I would appreciate a star review! Snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram using #theworktop and tagging me @theworktop.
    « Coconut and Chocolate Flapjacks (GF)
    Chocolate Beet Muffins »

    By Tina Jui
    Filed Under: Breads and Muffins, Breakfast and Brunch Recipes, Collections, Cooking Style, Lifestyle, Make Ahead, On The Go, Quick and Easy Brunches, Seasonal, Stove Top, Vegetarian, Winter Breakfast RecipesTags: Asian, cakes, coconut milk, steamer

    About Tina Jui

    A breakfast lover and food blogger. Tina develops everyday breakfast recipes on The Worktop, and writes about all things related to breakfast and brunch. Read more about Tina Jui or drop an email to say hi.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marilyn says

      March 15, 2018 at 10:31 pm

      The cake has a bitter taste. Perhaps the measurements for baking powder or baking soda should be adjusted?

      Reply
      • Tina Jui says

        March 16, 2018 at 8:50 pm

        Thanks for the feedback. I will make the recipe again and go back and adjust the recipe as needed. In the meantime, it looks like the recipe would benefit from a touch of vinegar added with the baking soda.

        Reply
    2. fei says

      December 22, 2015 at 1:48 am

      4 stars
      Hello i found on your picture the cake abit wet on middle is it? I plan to make the cake but not sure about steaming time, so if your cake still abit wet on middle maybe i can plan steam on 35minute, thanks for your replying before

      Reply
    3. Teresa jui says

      July 27, 2015 at 6:48 pm

      5 stars
      wow! I love it. is my favorite Di Sum. i had copied down the recipe and going to try it.

      Reply
      • Tina Jui says

        August 04, 2015 at 11:58 am

        Have fun with the recipe! I hope you love it.

        Reply
    4. Kayiu @ Saucy Spatula says

      July 27, 2015 at 2:44 pm

      5 stars
      Tina! This looks so great! I love that you used muscovado sugar - smart!

      What a bummer that you couldn't enjoy as much eating as you wanted when you were in the Kong! I would not be so thrilled about not being able to eat in such a food city! And that seafood banquet must had been epic! I hope you are feeling a bit better :)

      Thanks for trying out my Mah Lai Goh recipe! (I actually got a chocolate version one coming on my blog ;P)

      Reply
      • Tina Jui says

        August 04, 2015 at 11:56 am

        OH I cannot wait to see the chocolate version! What a brilliant idea. It must be so tasty.

        I'm still a bit bummed out about lack of eating I did in HK. So much good food in that city! Well, next time I guess!

        Reply
    5. Frederik says

      July 24, 2015 at 12:29 pm

      5 stars
      Ah, an old classic.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tina and a lover of breakfast! The Worktop is where I share my everyday breakfast recipes. You can find lots of breakfasts and brunch ideas on my site. Many of the recipes are easy to make and healthy, but of course, you'll also find big brunch indulgences.

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