Baked nian gao

For a printable version, click here
(From the kitchen of Menie Lee)

Ingredients:
16 oz. Mochiko sweet rice flour ($1.79 @ 99 Ranch)
One stick of butter or 3/4 cup of vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
1 cup sugar
1 Tbl baking soda
One can of red azuki beans ($3.99 @ 99 Ranch)

Directions:
Sprinkle some Mochiko flour over a 9″x13″ baking dish that has been oiled or sprayed with Pam.

Mix everything (including remaining Mochiko flour) but the beans with an electric mixer at medium speed for 2 minutes. Beat for 2 more minutes at high speed.

Spread half of the batter on the bottom of the baking pan. Spread the red azuki beans (you can mix some batter into the beans if they are too thick to spread). Spread the other half of the batter over the red azuki beans. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a chopstick (this is Chinese New Year Cake after all), if it comes out clean, it is done.