Kuih Baulu (CNY)

One of my favourite kuihs which is a must-bake during Chinese New Year and Eid Mubarak celebrations.  This kuih is similar to madeleines in taste and texture.  I can still recall our kampong days where I helped my mum to bake this kuih in a copper mould over charcoal fire.  Nowadays, the aluminium mould is readily available everywhere and can be used in the home oven.  The following recipe can be halved to suit your requirement.

Ingredients (yields about 100 pcs):

10 egg whites (medium-size)

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp vanilla powder

400 g sugar

10 egg yolks (medium-size)

400 g plain flour, to be sifted

some butter for greasing

Method:

In a clean mixing bowl, whisk egg whites with baking powder until creamy (not stiff). Add vanilla powder and sugar a little at a time.  Continue whisking until thick and creamy.  Then, add egg yolks one at a time and whisk until thick and cream.

Preheat oven (do not use the fan) to a temperature of 200° C.  Grease the baulu mould with butter and "bake" for about 5 minutes.  Meanwhile, scoop 1/4 of egg mixture into a separate bowl.  Fold in 1/4 of flour a little at a time, into the egg mixture. Please fold in one direction only in order that the batter is not over-mixed.

Note:  If you are using the baulu mould for the first time, please do not wash it with soap and water. Just add cooking oil to the brim and "bake" it in a hot oven at a temperature of 180° C for about 30 minutes.  Discard the oil.  The mould is now ready for use.

Remove mould from oven.  Add one tablespoon of batter just enough to fill about 3/4 of each baulu design.  Return mould to oven and bake for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.  Do not overbake!

By using a satay stick, remove the kuih baulus from mould while they are still hot. Grease mould with butter again and heat it up in the oven for about 5 minutes before filling with batter.  Repeat procedure until batter is used up.

If you wish for a slightly crispy finish, arrange them on a baking tray which is lined with baking paper. Reduce oven temperature to 180° C and bake for 5 minutes. Once done, remove from oven and leave kuih baulus to cool down completely before storing them in a bottle.

Happy Baking!