2 Beautiful and Delicious Green Bean Fruit Cake Recipes - Mytour

Green bean fruit cakes with captivating colors and a rustic flavor that leaves a lasting impression. No need to buy from a bakery; with a bit of meticulousness and skill, you can create these charming and inviting green bean fruit cakes for your entire family. Let's review the authentic recipe with Mytour.

1. About Green Bean Fruit Cakes

When mentioning Hue, many people immediately think of famous dishes like 'banh nam,' 'banh bot loc,' 'banh cuon tom chua,' and the indispensable green bean fruit cakes. Originating from the Hue imperial cuisine, green bean fruit cakes are often present in feasts at the Imperial City or on the tables of the nobility.

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Aside from its delightful taste, green bean cakes offer numerous health benefits. A charming green bean cake, shaped like playful fruits with enticing colors, appeals to both adults and children alike. The soft crust, the chewy green bean filling, and the subtly sweet flavor make it a perfect companion for a relaxing hot tea session.

2. Hue-style Recipe for Green Bean Fruit Cakes

Green bean cakes are crafted from simple ingredients, yet the process demands precision and creativity to produce visually stunning and refined fruity cakes. Below, discover the detailed steps to create Hue-style green bean fruit cakes with harmonious colors and flavors that captivate the hearts of those who indulge.

Prepare the Ingredients

• Green beans: 500g
• White sugar: 200g
• Coconut water: 600ml
• Crunchy agar-agar powder: 2 packs
• Red glutinous rice leaves: 100g
• Purple glutinous rice leaves
• Yellow glutinous rice leaves
• Red beets: 2-3 roots

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Processing Method

Step 1: Prepare Green Beans

• Clean the green beans, discard any moldy ones. Soak the beans in cold or warm water for about 4 hours until they become soft.
• Drain the water from the green beans and steam them for 30 minutes until they are tender.
• Divide the green beans into two portions, each around 300g. Blend each portion with coconut water and white sugar.
• Heat a pan, put the green beans in a sieve until they are dry and no longer stick to the pan.

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Step 2: Create Natural Color Water with Various Roots

• Create Red, Yellow, and Purple Colors from Magenta Leaves

Magenta leaves are a versatile herb with multiple uses. The leafy part is often employed to add vibrant colors to dishes, most notably in the famous multicolored magenta leaf sticky rice. Therefore, you can use this type of leaf to create a paint-like hue on the green bean cake. Boil each type of magenta leaf separately to form distinct color water: yellow magenta leaf, purple magenta leaf, and red magenta leaf.

Clean the magenta leaves. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the magenta leaves and let them boil for an additional 5-10 minutes. Turn off the heat when the water changes color. Remove the magenta leaves and retain the colored water, allowing it to cool.

• Create Pink Color with Beetroot Water

Peel and cut the beetroot into small pieces. Blend about 200g of beetroot with 200ml of filtered water. Strain the beetroot water through a sieve or a thin cloth. Take the beetroot water to boil, resulting in a thick, vibrant pink color that adds a visually appealing hue.

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• Create Green Color from Sticky Rice Leaves

Clean the sticky rice leaves, cut them into small sections, and soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes. Blend the pandan leaves with filtered water in a blender. Strain the mixture through a sieve or clean cloth to obtain the essence.

Step 3: Shape the Green Bean Cakes

• Allow the green bean mixture to cool, then mold it into fruit shapes according to your preference. Use wooden skewers attached to the cakes and let them dry for about 4-5 hours.
• Soak 600ml of water with 10g of crunchy agar-agar powder for about 10 minutes until the powder expands. 

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Step 4: Completion

Dip the cake skewers into the agar-agar water. Use a small brush to apply colored water onto the cakes. After completing the coloring, dip the cakes again in agar-agar water to make the outer layer shiny and more visually appealing.

Finished Product

Green bean fruit cakes with a crispy agar-agar layer, captivating colors, and a glossy appearance. The cakes have the rich taste of green beans, a balanced sweetness, and the chewiness of agar-agar. Although this dessert is simple, its uniquely delightful flavor enchants both children and adults alike.

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3. Recipe for Thai-Style Green Bean Fruit Cake

Thai-style green bean fruit cake has a unique, delightful taste, richer than the traditional Hue-style green bean cake. Let's prepare the ingredients and shape the cake right away.

Prepare the Ingredients

• Green beans, peeled: 150g
• Sugar: 100g
• Coconut milk: 200ml
• Agar agar: 25g
• Food coloring and skewers

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Processing Method

Step 1: Prepare Green Beans

• Soak green beans in water for about 4 hours, then rinse thoroughly.
• Cook the beans with a bit of water and a pinch of salt until soft, then mash or grind them finely.
• Add white sugar to the green beans and mix in a non-stick pan.
• Next, add coconut milk to the beans, stir the mixture until smooth and non-sticky.

Step 2: Shape the Thai-Style Green Bean Fruit Cake

• Divide the green bean dough into small portions and mold them into your favorite fruit shapes. If there's leftover green bean dough, wrap it tightly and store it in the fridge.
• Insert green bean cakes onto bamboo or wooden skewers.
• Dissolve food coloring in a bit of distilled water.
• Cook agar agar with 1.5 liters of water, let it cool.
• Dip the green bean skewers into the agar agar water, then use a brush to color each cake.
• Dip the cakes into the agar agar water again.
• Once the agar agar sets, refrigerate the cakes for a while and enjoy.

Finished Product

Thai-style green bean fruit cake has an appealing appearance, glossy colors resembling real fruits. The filling is chewy and moderately sweet, not overwhelming to the taste.

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4. Tips for Processing and Enjoying Fruit Green Bean Cakes

• Mold green bean cakes into smaller sizes for a more visually appealing presentation.
• Add a bit of vanilla to the green bean mixture for a more fragrant cake.
• Green beans are rich in protein, so individuals with weakened health or cold extremities should not consume excessive amounts to avoid digestive issues.

It's wonderful to take a sip of tea and slowly savor a piece of soft and sweet green bean cake with a crispy layer of agar. Wishing you success in crafting visually appealing and enticing fruit green bean cakes.

Explore more:

• How to make mooncakes with green bean filling
• Green bean cakes from Hai Duong: A step-by-step guide