Apam Cantik Manis / Steamed Soft-Drink Cupcakes
Apam (also known as ‘apom’) is the Malay name for two different types of snack in Malaysia – one the different types of pancake which derive from the South Indian ‘Appam’ and also its fusion with the Chinese Peanut Pancake; the other for a variety of steamed ‘cupcakes’ which owe their origins to the Chinese-style steamed rice cakes and steamed sponge cakes.
Apam Cantik Manis is one of the creative adaptations from the latter, the steamed variety. Although it is a mystery to me as to how the name ‘apam’ came about for these steamed cakes… The name ‘apam’ makes sense for the pancake-types as from my understanding, it came from ‘appam’ which is a type of pancake made from fermented rice in South India. But how it also became the name for the steamed cakes, well… who knows?
‘Cantik’ means beautiful and ‘manis’ means sweet in Malay, so Apam Cantik Manis literally means beautiful sweet cake! It uses fizzy soft drink instead of yeast or baking powder to provide the ‘rise’ in the cake. The cupcakes have a soft-drink flavour depending on which type of soft drink you use to make it (I used 7-Up), and they are also soft, spongy and totally yummy!
The fluffy spongy texture of the steamed cupcakes
Adapted from the recipes 'Apam Cantik Manis' & 'Apam Aiskrim Soda' at ALAF21 website, Malaysia.
Makes approx. 8-10 cupcakes (depending on size of cups used).
[Ingredients]
2 eggs
110g (½ cup) caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
150g (1 cup) plain flour, sifted
150ml fizzy soft drink, e.g. 7-Up, Ice-Cream Soda or Lemonade
a few drops raspberry or strawberry paste
http://cafeoftheeast.blogspot.com/
[Preparation]
1. Prepare a steamer for steaming the small cakes. When the water boils, put in teacups, if using these, and place them upside down to heat up. If using muffin tins or patty tins, just grease with a little vegetable oil, no need to heat these.
2. Beat eggs for about 1 minute on medium high speed. Then start adding sugar gradually as you continue to beat the egg mixture. Beat until the mixture leaves a trail of ribbon when you lift the egg beater, total beating time can be 6 to 10 minutes depending on the power of your beater.
3. Add vanilla and beat to combine.
4. Sift about 1/3 of the flour into the beaten egg mixture and fold in. Add 1/3 of the soft drink and fold in. Repeat twice more to finish adding the flour and soft drink.
5. Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the batter and mix in the red raspberry or strawberry paste (use red food colouring as an alternative if you don’t have the essence paste).
6. Remove the hot teacups from the steamer. Pour in the uncoloured batter to fill ¾ full. Decorate tops with few drops of red batter. Use a skewer to create some patterns to your liking, if desired.
7. Steam for about 20 minutes, for teacups and muffin tins. (10 minutes only if using the small patty tins.)
Chinese teacup sized cupcakes
Patty tin sized cupcakes
[Note]
1. Please note this recipe uses 1 standard cup of 250ml, 1 tablespoon of 20ml and 1 teaspoon of 5ml.
2. The size of egg used is about 60g (includes shell) unless otherwise stated.
Apam Cantik Manis is one of the creative adaptations from the latter, the steamed variety. Although it is a mystery to me as to how the name ‘apam’ came about for these steamed cakes… The name ‘apam’ makes sense for the pancake-types as from my understanding, it came from ‘appam’ which is a type of pancake made from fermented rice in South India. But how it also became the name for the steamed cakes, well… who knows?
‘Cantik’ means beautiful and ‘manis’ means sweet in Malay, so Apam Cantik Manis literally means beautiful sweet cake! It uses fizzy soft drink instead of yeast or baking powder to provide the ‘rise’ in the cake. The cupcakes have a soft-drink flavour depending on which type of soft drink you use to make it (I used 7-Up), and they are also soft, spongy and totally yummy!
The fluffy spongy texture of the steamed cupcakes
Adapted from the recipes 'Apam Cantik Manis' & 'Apam Aiskrim Soda' at ALAF21 website, Malaysia.
Makes approx. 8-10 cupcakes (depending on size of cups used).
[Ingredients]
2 eggs
110g (½ cup) caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
150g (1 cup) plain flour, sifted
150ml fizzy soft drink, e.g. 7-Up, Ice-Cream Soda or Lemonade
a few drops raspberry or strawberry paste
http://cafeoftheeast.blogspot.com/
[Preparation]
1. Prepare a steamer for steaming the small cakes. When the water boils, put in teacups, if using these, and place them upside down to heat up. If using muffin tins or patty tins, just grease with a little vegetable oil, no need to heat these.
2. Beat eggs for about 1 minute on medium high speed. Then start adding sugar gradually as you continue to beat the egg mixture. Beat until the mixture leaves a trail of ribbon when you lift the egg beater, total beating time can be 6 to 10 minutes depending on the power of your beater.
3. Add vanilla and beat to combine.
4. Sift about 1/3 of the flour into the beaten egg mixture and fold in. Add 1/3 of the soft drink and fold in. Repeat twice more to finish adding the flour and soft drink.
5. Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the batter and mix in the red raspberry or strawberry paste (use red food colouring as an alternative if you don’t have the essence paste).
6. Remove the hot teacups from the steamer. Pour in the uncoloured batter to fill ¾ full. Decorate tops with few drops of red batter. Use a skewer to create some patterns to your liking, if desired.
7. Steam for about 20 minutes, for teacups and muffin tins. (10 minutes only if using the small patty tins.)
Chinese teacup sized cupcakes
Patty tin sized cupcakes
[Note]
1. Please note this recipe uses 1 standard cup of 250ml, 1 tablespoon of 20ml and 1 teaspoon of 5ml.
2. The size of egg used is about 60g (includes shell) unless otherwise stated.
posted by SeaDragon @ 12.6.07
6 Comments:
This looks yummy. I haven't had steam cakes for ages.
Beautiful cakes!
I've tried this apam before and also the other one Apam Mekar. The different is Apam Mekar used ovalette as one of the ingredient. But both taste the same.
Oh I like this! Very chinese festive looking! :D
I got the priviledge to taste this years ago at a friend's house which uses ice-cream soda and it's really yummy.
MMMmmm, yummy cake. I'd make this before and have same result as your. I love your blog a lots!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing recipes!!!!!!!!!!
The Cooking Ninja,
Thanks! These are very easy to make :)
East Meets West kitchen,
Thank you!
Flower,
I have the Apam Mekar recipe too, just tried making them, but they are not as soft as Apam Cantik Manis :(
Little Corner of Mine,
Yes, they are so yummy, aren't they :)
QQ red apple,
You're welcome :)
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