Kuih Harum Manis

A malay kuih which comes under the "apam" category.  Its texture is very spongy, fragrant (harum) and sweet (manis) - this is how the name "Harum Manis" comes about.  An excellent option to use up leftover bananas and they taste great.

Ingredients (yields about 60 pieces):
150 g dark brown sugar or palm sugar
250 ml water
250 g butter

180 g sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence (liquid)

330 g plain flour
1 tsp (leveled) baking powder
1 tsp (leveled) bicarbonate of soda
1/4 tsp salt

4 - 5 ripe bananas
kuih lompang plastic moulds

Method:
In a saucepan, add brown sugar and water.  Cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat and leave aside to cool down completely. Strain sugar mixture.  In another saucepan, add butter and melt over low heat. Remove from heat and leave aside to cool down completely.   In a bowl, sift flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt together.

In a mixing bowl, add sugar, eggs and vanilla essence.  Beat until creamy.  Add flour mixture by the tablespoon and fold in well.  Then, add in melted butter and mix well, making sure there are no lumps. Finally, add in the sugar/water mixture and mix thoroughly.

Grease the kuih lompang moulds with soft butter.  By using a tablespoon, add batter until almost half or three quarter full.  Then, add a slice of banana of about 1 or 2 cm thick on top.

Add boiling water to steamer and heat it up.  Once ready, steam the kuih for about 20 minutes.  Once done, remove from steamer and let it cool down for about 5 minutes.  By using a plastic knife, run through the sides of mould in order that the kuih comes out smoothly.

Serve warm or cold.

Bon Appetit!