Red Bean Citrus Treasure Cakes

Ingredients

• all-purpose flour1 cup
• baking powder1 teaspoon
• salt1/4 teaspoon
• eggs2
• sugar1/2 cup
• milk1/2 cup
• neutral oil1/4 cup
• orange zest2 teaspoons
• vanilla extract1 teaspoon
• sweet red bean paste3/4 cup
• mandarin segments, well drained and chopped3/4 cup
• powdered sugar for dusting1 tablespoon

Method

1. 1Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. 2Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in one bowl.
3. 3In another bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until pale, then mix in the milk, oil, orange zest, and vanilla.
4. 4Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until smooth, then rest the batter for 5 minutes.
5. 5Spoon a little batter into each liner, add a teaspoon of red bean paste and a few chopped mandarin pieces, then cover with more batter.
6. 6Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until the tops spring back and a tester inserted beside the filling comes out clean.
7. 7Cool completely, then dust lightly with powdered sugar just before serving.
8. 8Serve at room temperature so the citrus aroma stays bright and the filling remains plush.

Tips

• Chill the red bean paste briefly if it is very soft; it will be easier to portion neatly.
• Drain the mandarin segments well so the cakes bake up tender rather than wet.
• For a more decorative finish, top each cake with a tiny strip of orange zest.

Nutrition