Chinese steamed sponge cake

Today we will learn how to make ma lai gao 马拉糕. Ma lai gao 马拉糕 is also known as chinese sponge cake or Malay sponge cake. Ma lai gao is a steamed cake. No oven needed. You can find ma lai gao in some dim sum places!

You may have seen different colors of ma lai gao. Some malay sponge cakes have a dark brown color and some are lighter in color. The sugar used in the ma lai koh recipe makes it a different color. We will be using brown sugar for a darker malay cake recipe. Feel free to replace it with your favorite sugar. You can use coconut sugar for some great flavors!

Ma Lai Gao, steamed sponge cake is super easy to make, it’s soft and spongy. Ma Lai Gao is delicious fresh while it’s still warm or it can be eaten cold as well. 


Scroll down to check out the ingredients needed for the Ma Lai Gao Recipe with step by step instructions!
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Click HERE to watch the step by step instructions on YouTube

Ma LAi Gao | 马拉糕

Ma Lai Gao Ingredients

✿ 140 Grams Dark Brown Sugar
✿ 180 Grams Evaporated Milk
✿ 180 Grams Cake Flour
✿ 20 Grams Custard Powder
✿ 3 Eggs
✿ 1 Teaspoon Yeast
✿ ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
✿ ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
✿ 20 Grams Oil
✿ ¼ Teaspoon Salt

Ma Lai Gao INSTRUCTIONS | Click here for the recipe video

Activate the yeast with 30Ml warm water.
In a bowl add the eggs and evaporated milk. Whisk to combine. Add the yeast mixture and combine.
Sift the cake flour. Add the custard powder, sugar and salt.

Add the liquid to the dry ingredients. Whisk until smooth.
Sieve to remove clumps. Rest for 2 hours.

Add baking soda and baking powder to the oil. Scoop some batter into the oil and mix until combined. Add the mixture to the batter to combine.

Line mold with parchment paper. *I am using a 6 inch mold.
Pour batter in the mold.



Bring a pot of water to a boil. Carefully place the mold inside.

Steam on medium heat for 40 min.






Cool down on wire rack
Enjoy! ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

TIPS & NOTES
✿ Adjust sweetness to personal preferences.
✿ Use brown sugar for brown fa gao.

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