Eight Treasure Rice Pudding (Ba Bao Fan)
A glossy dome of sweet sticky rice with a centre of red bean paste and jewelled dried fruits, a New Year centrepiece.
- Time2 hr 45
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.69 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Soak the rice in cold water for at least 4 hours, then drain. Grease a 1.2 litre heatproof pudding basin with some of the spread.
240 min - 2
Spread the rice on a lined steamer tray and steam for 30 minutes, until tender and sticky.
30 min - 3
Tip the hot rice into a bowl and mix in the 60 g sugar and the remaining spread.
- 4
Arrange the dates, raisins, apricots and goji in a pattern on the base and sides of the basin. Press half the rice over them in an even layer.
- 5
Spread the red bean paste on the rice, leaving a gap at the edges, and cover with the rest of the rice. Press down firmly. Cover with foil.
- 6
Steam for 40 minutes. Meanwhile, simmer the water and 50 g sugar for 3 minutes, stir in the cornflour mixed with a little water and cook until glossy.
40 min - 7
Turn the pudding out onto a plate, pour over the warm syrup and serve in wedges.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
