Ma Lai Koh (Chinese: 马来糕/马拉糕) is steamed sponge cake, this recipe is dark brown sugar version. This recipe uses instant yeast to proof the batter, Ma Lai Koh made with yeast is softer and fluffier.
Line 9-inch (23-cm) bamboo steamer with parchment paper.
Beat eggs lightly, add in evaporated milk and pandan juice, mix until combined.
Combine plain flour, dark brown sugar, instant yeast and fine salt in a mixing bowl, mix until combined.
Add in pandan egg milk mixture gradually while mixing, until a batter is formed.
Sieve through to have a smooth batter.
Cover the mixing bowl, set aside at room temperature to proof for 2 hours.
After proofing for 2 hours…
Bring the water of steamer to the boil (the amount of water should be enough for 40 minutes of steaming).
Take out 3-4 tbsps of proofed batter, sieve and mix in baking soda and baking powder, then mix in corn oil until well combined, add to the remaining batter, mix until well blended.
Pour batter into lined bamboo steamer.
Steam over medium-high heat for 40 minutes (do not open the steamer before 30 minutes or the cake might collapse).
Unmould and cool Ma Lai Koh on wire rack.
Dark Brown Sugar Ma Lai Koh with Yeast is done!
Video
Notes
The secret for a light and fluffy Ma Lai Koh is to steam using bamboo steamer or baking pan with holes at the bottom. If you use normal baking pan, the end product will be denser.This recipe yields a 9-inch round cake divided into 12 slices. The nutritional value for reference is for 1 slice of cake.