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Lunar New Year is a time for family, traditions, and delicious food. Among the many savory dishes and vibrant festivities, one tradition that stands out for me is making fa gao, or prosperity cakes. These fluffy, steamed treats symbolize rising fortune and good luck for the year ahead. Every year, as I prepare to usher in the New Year, a box of Bisquick finds its way into my grocery cart. Yes, Bisquick—the same pantry staple you might use for pancakes or biscuits—has become an essential part of my Lunar New Year celebrations.
A Sweet Tradition Revisited
Growing up, my parents rarely made desserts, but Lunar New Year was the exception. My mother would spend an entire day crafting traditional holiday sweets. The kitchen filled with the comforting aroma of gok jai, crispy dumplings stuffed with a coconut-peanut filling, and the earthy sweetness of nian gao, a chewy rice cake beloved for the New Year.
Of all the treats, fa gao was my favorite. Watching the batter transform into puffed, flower-like cakes was mesmerizing. The cakes would emerge from the steamer with beautiful splits at the top, symbolizing prosperity. As a child, I eagerly tore into them while they were still warm, savoring the simple yet delightful flavor.
Keeping the Tradition Alive
In today’s world, Chinese bakeries offer a dazzling array of Lunar New Year sweets. While the convenience is tempting, I’ve felt a strong pull to keep these traditions alive for my family, especially for my five-year-old. Passing down these cultural practices has become a way of connecting with my heritage and creating new memories with my child.
Thankfully, creators and recipe developers like The Woks of Life, Made With Lau, Lisa Lin, and Kristina Cho have made it easier than ever to tackle traditional recipes at home. It was Cho’s cookbook, Mooncakes and Milkbread, that first inspired me to make fa gao myself.
The Bisquick Shortcut
One of the most surprising and delightful discoveries in Cho’s book was her grandmother’s shortcut: using Bisquick for fa gao. This simple substitution streamlines the process without compromising flavor or tradition. Traditional recipes often call for ingredients like Chinese distiller’s yeast or wet-milled rice flour, which can be challenging to find. Bisquick, however, is readily available and makes the process accessible to anyone.
Cho’s fa gao recipe is wonderfully simple, requiring just four ingredients: Bisquick, all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, and water. The batter comes together quickly with just a whisk and steams up in 15 minutes. It’s a testament to immigrant resourcefulness—when Cho’s Pau Pau couldn’t access traditional ingredients, she found a smart substitute that still honored the tradition.
Tips for Making Perfect Fa Gao
After making fa gao for several years now, I’ve learned a few tricks to ensure a perfect bloom every time:
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Just like when making pancakes, overmixing can result in a gummy texture. Gently whisk the ingredients until just combined.
- Use Silicone Cupcake Liners: These molds are sturdy enough to hold the shape of the cakes and make it easy to pop them out once steamed. Plus, they’re a breeze to clean if any sticky batter spills over.
- Steaming Setup Matters: Ensure your steamer is large enough to allow space for the cakes to rise and bloom. Avoid overcrowding them.
- High Heat is Key: Maintaining a steady, high steam is crucial for achieving that signature split at the top.
- Serve Warm: Fa gao is best enjoyed fresh and warm. The texture is delightfully fluffy and slightly chewy right out of the steamer.
Why It Matters
Using Bisquick for fa gao is more than just a clever kitchen hack—it’s a reminder of the ingenuity and adaptability inherent in immigrant stories. It’s about preserving traditions while making them accessible to future generations. By embracing this shortcut, I’ve found a way to keep my family’s Lunar New Year rituals alive in a way that fits into my busy life.
Creating New Memories
Making fa gao with my child has become a cherished tradition. There’s something magical about seeing their eyes light up as they watch the cakes bloom in the steamer, just as I did when I was a child. These moments, filled with laughter and anticipation, are what Lunar New Year is all about.
A Celebration of Tradition and Innovation
As the Lunar New Year approaches, I’ll be stocking up on Bisquick once again. It’s a simple but meaningful ingredient that bridges the past and present, allowing me to honor my heritage while creating new memories with my family. So, if you’re looking to add a little prosperity to your New Year celebrations, why not give fa gao a try? With a box of Bisquick and a bit of love, you’ll have a delightful treat that symbolizes rising fortunes and sweet beginnings.