Festive sticky rice with sweetened fruits and beans
Eight Treasure Rice
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 30 min
Servings
8
8 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Cost
Moderate
$$
Eight Treasure Rice
Festive sticky rice with sweetened fruits and beans
★4.6(20)
A dome of glistening sticky rice studded with dried fruits, candied lotus seeds, and sweet red bean paste. Ba bao fan is a magnificent Chinese New Year dessert with centuries of tradition.
30m
Prep Time
60m
Cook Time
90m
Total Time
8
Servings
Medium
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Eight treasure rice is as stunning to look at as it is to eat. The sticky rice dome, decorated with colorful dried fruits and filled with sweet bean paste, is a show-stopping centerpiece at any celebration.
Chinese cooking techniques — high heat, quick movement, and precise timing — produce flavors that no other method can match. This recipe captures that magic.
The flavors in this dish reflect centuries of culinary tradition, adapted for the modern home kitchen. What makes Eight Treasure Rice special is the balance — every element serves a purpose, and the interplay between ingredients creates something greater than any single component. With the right technique and a few key ingredients, you can achieve restaurant-quality results at home.
Successful baking comes down to precision and patience. Measure carefully, follow the order of operations, and trust the recipe. The oven does most of the work — your job is to set it up for success with properly mixed ingredients, the right temperature, and restraint (no peeking during the first two-thirds of baking time).
Ingredients
- 2 cups glutinous rice, soaked 4 hours
- 1/2 cup sweet red bean paste
- 1/4 cup dried jujube dates
- 2 tbsp candied lotus seeds
- 2 tbsp raisins
- 3 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- 1
Drain soaked glutinous rice and steam for 25 minutes until tender. Mix with sugar and 1 tbsp oil.
- 2
Grease a round bowl. Arrange dried fruits, lotus seeds, and raisins in a decorative pattern on the bottom.
- 3
Press a layer of sticky rice over the fruit, lining the bowl evenly. Spread red bean paste in the center.
- 4
Cover with remaining sticky rice and press firmly. Steam for 30 minutes.
- 5
Invert the bowl onto a plate to unmold the dome. Drizzle with a warm sugar syrup and serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice
Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi
Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
Substitutions
Red bean pasteSweetened taro paste
Rich and earthy alternative filling
Dried jujube datesDried cranberries
More readily available with similar sweetness
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Soak glutinous rice for at least 4 hours for the best texture.
Grease the bowl generously with oil to ensure the dome unmolds cleanly.
Measure baking ingredients by weight when possible. Baking is chemistry, and precision matters more than in any other type of cooking.
Bring butter, eggs, and dairy to room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients do not emulsify properly and can produce tough, uneven results.
Storage
Wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 1 month.
Reheating
Most baked goods are best at room temperature. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight then bring to room temperature. Some items benefit from a brief warm-up in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.
Recipe Notes from Our Kitchen
Editor's Note
Editor's note: Do not be alarmed if the batter looks different from what you expect at certain stages. Trust the process. Baking is full of ugly-duckling moments that resolve beautifully in the oven.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (0mg) · 8 servings
Calories280
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein4g
Carbohydrates3g
Fat62g
Fiber15mg
Sugar2g
Sodium18g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the eight treasures?
- They vary by recipe but traditionally include dates, lotus seeds, raisins, goji berries, walnuts, and candied fruits.
- Can I use canned red bean paste?
- Yes, canned sweetened red bean paste works perfectly and saves time.
- Can I substitute the sugar?
- In baking, sugar does more than sweeten — it affects texture, browning, and moisture. You can reduce by up to 25% without major issues, but substituting entirely often changes the result significantly.
- Why did my recipe not turn out right?
- The most common causes are inaccurate measuring, incorrect oven temperature (use an oven thermometer), or substituting ingredients. Baking is chemistry — precision matters more than in any other type of cooking.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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