Nian Gao (Chinese New Year Rice Cake)

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Easy

A dense, chewy, caramel-sweet cake of glutinous rice flour, dark brown sugar and coconut milk, steamed until glossy. It can be eaten as is or sliced and pan-fried until crisp outside. Makes 16 slices in about 4 hr 15 min.

Prep 15 min

Cook 60 min

Cooling 3 hr

Total 4 hr 15 min

Yield 16 slices

Diet Vegan

Ingredients

Adjust yield

slices

2 ¾ cups (340 g)glutinous rice flour
1 cup (115 g)regular rice flour
1 ½ cups (355 ml)coconut milk
1 ¼ cups (250 g)dark brown sugar, packed
½ cup (120 ml)water
1 pinchsalt
2 tsp (10 ml)neutral oil, for greasing

Fresh ingredient guides

CoconutHow to pick, season & nutrition · 496 kcal per 140 g

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Instructions

Lightly oil an 8-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment. Set up a steamer with a rack and bring the water to a boil.
Warm the coconut milk, water, brown sugar and salt in a saucepan, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Cool 10 minutes.
Whisk both rice flours in a large bowl. Pour in the sugar mixture and whisk until perfectly smooth.
Pour into the pan, cover with foil and set in the steamer.
Steam over medium heat 55 to 60 minutes, removing the foil around 45 minutes, until a skewer comes out sticky and the cake looks translucent.
Cool in the pan at least 2 hours; chilling makes it easier to cut. Slice with an oiled knife and serve as is, or pan-fry slices in a little oil until crisp outside and soft inside.

Tips

Keep a kettle of hot water at hand to top up the steamer.
Oil the knife for clean slices.
Cooled nian gao keeps its chew when reheated in a skillet.
Good with hot jasmine tea.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make nian gao (chinese new year rice cake)?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 1 hour of cooking, plus 3 hours to chill. The recipe makes 16 slices.

How should I store nian gao (chinese new year rice cake)?

Wrap well and keep at room temperature 3 days, or refrigerate up to 2 weeks and freeze up to 2 months.

Can I make nian gao (chinese new year rice cake) ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Is this recipe vegan?

Yes, as written. Check that packaged ingredients such as chocolate, sprinkles and plant butter are labeled vegan.

A steamed sticky rice cake eaten at Lunar New Year, when its name sounds like a wish for growth and a higher year. Serve it with hot jasmine tea.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 16 servings this recipe makes.

208 Calories / serving

5.2g Fat

38.7g Carbs

2.2g Protein

15.9g Sugar

Whole recipe (16 servings): ~3328 cal · 83g fat · 619g carbs · 35g protein · 254g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.