What is Ho Ho Cake and where does it originate from?

Ho Ho Cake is a traditional Chinese steamed sponge cake that originated in the Guangdong province of Southern China. It's particularly popular in Hong Kong and Cantonese cuisine. The cake is made from rice flour, sugar, and sometimes eggs, steamed to create its characteristic light and fluffy texture. Its name "Ho Ho" (or "He He") comes from the sound of laughter in Chinese, reflecting its delightful, airy consistency.

How is Ho Ho Cake different from regular Western cakes?

Unlike Western cakes which are typically baked, Ho Ho Cake is steamed, giving it a unique soft and fluffy texture. It's made primarily with rice flour rather than wheat flour, making it lighter and less dense. The cake has a subtly sweet flavor that's less sugary than many Western desserts and features distinctive patterns or characters imprinted on top, often in red or brown coloring, making it visually unique as well as delicious.

What are the main ingredients used in making Ho Ho Cake?

Traditional Ho Ho Cake is made with simple ingredients: rice flour, sugar, water, and sometimes eggs. The rice flour gives the cake its light, spongy texture, while sugar provides sweetness. Some variations may include baking powder as a leavening agent. The cake is often topped with a brown sugar glaze or decorated with red stamping for visual appeal and additional flavor. This simple ingredient list contributes to its delicate, melt-in-your-mouth quality.

How do you eat Ho Ho Cake and is it served with anything?

Ho Ho Cake is typically enjoyed on its own as a snack or dessert, often paired with Chinese tea. Its light, fluffy texture makes it perfect for afternoon tea or as a sweet treat after meals. In some regions, people might slightly warm the cake before eating to enhance its softness and fragrance. It's commonly found in Chinese bakeries, dim sum restaurants, and specialty cake shops throughout Hong Kong, Southern China, and overseas Chinese communities.

Can you make Ho Ho Cake at home and what's the process?

Yes, you can make Ho Ho Cake at home with basic equipment. Mix rice flour, sugar, and a pinch of baking powder. Add water gradually to form a thick batter. Pour into small cake molds and steam for about 10-15 minutes until cooked through. For the traditional version, press a character pattern on top while warm and optionally brush with brown sugar glaze. The key is proper steaming rather than baking, which creates the signature fluffy texture that distinguishes authentic Ho Ho Cake.

Ho Ho Cake Recipe: Simple Asian Dessert You'll Love

Name: Ho Ho Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: – 250 grams all-purpose flour for providing structure and a light crumb that makes the dessert airy and enjoyable; – 100 grams butter for adding richness and moisture, helping to create a tender bite that keeps the cake from drying out; – 150 grams sugar for bringing the sweetness to balance the flavors, ensuring the cake is just right without overwhelming the palate; – 2 large eggs for binding everything together and adding fluffiness, contributing to the cake’s rise and soft consistency; – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for infusing a warm, aromatic note that enhances the overall taste, making this Asian dessert feel extra special; – 1 teaspoon baking powder for acting as the leavening agent to help the cake rise, resulting in that signature light and fluffy Asian baking style

Description

🎂 Delight in the light, fluffy texture of this authentic Asian-inspired cake, bringing exotic flavors right to your kitchen for a homemade treat.
🎂 Experience the joy of baking a simple yet impressive dessert that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends at any gathering.

Ingredients

– 250 grams all-purpose flour for providing structure and a light crumb that makes the dessert airy and enjoyable

– 100 grams butter for adding richness and moisture, helping to create a tender bite that keeps the cake from drying out

– 150 grams sugar for bringing the sweetness to balance the flavors, ensuring the cake is just right without overwhelming the palate

– 2 large eggs for binding everything together and adding fluffiness, contributing to the cake’s rise and soft consistency

– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for infusing a warm, aromatic note that enhances the overall taste, making this Asian dessert feel extra special

– 1 teaspoon baking powder for acting as the leavening agent to help the cake rise, resulting in that signature light and fluffy Asian baking style

Instructions

First Step: Start by preheating your oven to 180 degrees Celsius and greasing a baking pan to prevent sticking. Measure out all your ingredients so everything’s ready this mise en place makes the process smooth and fun.

Second Step: In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients together: combine 250 grams of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Stir well to ensure they’re evenly distributed, which helps create that perfect, airy texture for your Ho Ho Cake.

Third Step: In another bowl, cream together the wet ingredients: beat 100 grams of butter with 150 grams of sugar until it’s light and fluffy. Add in 2 large eggs one at a time, followed by 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly for a smooth batter that brings out the flavors.

Fourth Step: Gradually incorporate the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix this keeps your cake light and maintains its traditional Asian baking charm.

Final Step: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let it cool slightly before slicing into 12 servings, then enjoy this Ho Ho Cake as a warm treat or cooled for later.

Notes

🎂 Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
🍰 Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake light and airy.
🏠 Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooling: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 250 per serving
Sugar: 20 grams
Sodium: 150 milligrams
Fat: 10 grams
Saturated Fat: 6 grams
Unsaturated Fat: 3 grams
Trans Fat: 0 grams
Carbohydrates: 35 grams
Fiber: 1 grams
Protein: 4 grams
Cholesterol: 50 milligrams

Keywords: Ho Ho, Cake, Authentic, Asian Dessert