Besides traditional sweets like che or mung bean cake, Vietnamese fruit cake is one of the most popular Vietnamese desserts that is enjoyed by people of all ages. In this article, we will get to know some Vietnamese fruit cakes, their origins, and how to make them. Here are some of the most famous and delicious variations of fruit cake that you can find in Vietnam.
1. Vietnamese sponge cake with fruit
Vietnamese sponge cake, or banh bong lan, is a common delicacy known for its simplicity. With a light and fluffy texture, this cake is often served in special occasions like weddings, opening days, birthdays. It is also popular as a comfort dessert. With its subtle sweetness, sponge cake can be savored as a dessert on its own or elevated with various toppings, such as whipped cream, powdered sugar, or fresh fruits.
Follow this Vietnamese sponge cake recipe below:
- Preheat the oven to 163°C (325°F)
- Add to a bowl a mixture of 5 egg yolks and prepare 1/2 cup of fine sugar. Every 30 seconds, add 1 tablespoon of sugar into the bowl, mix them well and repeat until there is none left. Add vegetable oil, low-fat milk, and vanilla extract. Whip until the mixture turns creamy and yellow.
- Mix together 3/4 cup of cake flour and 1 teaspoon of baking powder, then gently blend it into the egg mixture. Whisk 5 egg whites together with tartar cream, and keep mixing until the cream forms stiff peaks. Slowly put this mixture into the batter while mixing it well.
- Bake the batter for 25-30 minutes and let the cake cool in the oven for 20 minutes before gently putting it onto a plate.
- Add the final touch with an artful arrangement of whipped cream and fresh fruits.
>>> Discover the vibrant world of Vietnamese fruits!
2. Vietnamese fruit-shaped mung bean cake
Vietnamese fruit-shaped mung bean cake has its origins deeply rooted in the culinary heritage of the Hue royal court. In the past, this Vietnamese fruit cake was exclusively reserved for royal feasts or grand gatherings of the nobility during festive occasions. That is why this delightful Hue delicacy is affectionately referred to by locals as the “noble cake”. This is one of the Vietnamese desserts that demands significant effort and craftsmanship to create.
To make this Vietnamese fruit cake, follow our instructions below:
- Soak, peel, and steam mung beans until soft, then ground them into a smooth paste combined with sugar.
- Roast the paste in a wok until thick and dry.
- Divide the mung bean paste into small portions and mold them onto wooden sticks to create various fruit shapes like starfruit, chili, mango, etc.
- Let them dry for 5 - 6 hours. Coat the cakes with agar for glossiness and color them with natural hues using vegetables like carrot and turmeric.
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3. Vietnamese fruit cake with dried candied fruit (banh bo mut)
Derived from the customary Lunar New Year celebrations in Hue, this Vietnamese fruit cake was once enjoyed by both commoners and royals. Banh bo mut is often served in commemorative occasions like ancestral anniversaries and weddings. It is crafted from roasted glutinous rice flour, resulting in a chewy texture, with candied fillings like pomegranate seeds or thinly sliced fruits, creating a mosaic of colors when cut.
To make this Vietnamese cake with fruit, follow our instructions below:
- Blend 1kg of sugar with 0.7-0.8kg of glutinous rice flour. Ferment the mixture for 10-15 days to attain the desired texture.
- Spread the rice dough on trays or mats.
- Lay candied filling onto the dough. Roll and press the dough to form a neat square, and seal it within 24 hours to meld the flavors.
- Cut the cakes into bite-sized pieces and serve them with tea.
>>> Explore a world of flavors with Vietnamese rice cake!
4. Vietnamese banana cake - Among must-try Vietnamese fruit cakes
Bananas take the spotlight as the star ingredient in this cherished Vietnamese fruit cake. The bananas used in this traditional dessert are Thai/Siamese bananas, also known as pisang awak. To make Vietnamese banana cake, the cook often chooses bananas that are adequately ripe and avoids overly mushy ones. You can look for bananas with a few black dots on the skin, which is a good sign that they are ripe at the right level.
Follow this Vietnamese fruit cake recipe below:
- Soak the bananas in saltwater for up to 30 minutes.
- For the batter, blend an egg, 400ml of coconut milk, 100g of condensed milk for better taste, and 30g of sugar.
- Stir the mixture well. Add 150g of sliced breads, tapioca starch, and melted butter before mixing them thoroughly.
- Cut the bananas into small pieces. Set aside 15 - 20 pieces.
- Simmer the sliced bananas in rum and salt for 5-7 minutes, then fold them into the batter along with a touch of vanilla extract.
- Mix everything well before putting them into a pan and bake for 90 minutes.
Beside Vietnamese fruit cake, Vietnam also offers a myriad of other enticing traditional Vietnamese cakes, such as banh chung, pancake Vietnam, Vietnamese bread, Vietnamese honeycomb cake, Vietnamese mung bean cake, Vietnamese shrimp cake, Vietnamese husband and wife cake, and many more.
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The world of Vietnamese cuisine offers an incredible tapestry of flavors and traditions, and Vietnamese fruit cake stands as a delectable testament to this richness. Beginning from its historical origins and spanning across to its contemporary adaptations, Vietnamese fruit cake has gracefully evolved into much more than a dessert. So, when you embark on your journey through Vietnam, don't hesitate to immerse yourself in the world of these delectable desserts - a slice of pure happiness waiting to be shared and savored.
