15 Asian-Inspired Summer Desserts That’ll Make You Forget About Ice Cream

15 Irresistible Asian-Inspired Dessert Recipes You’ll Want to Make All Summer Long

Craving something sweet, refreshing, and easy to whip up? These 15 traditional Asian-inspired desserts are bursting with flavor and perfect for beating the summer heat. From nostalgic street food favorites to guilt-free healthy treats, you’ll find yourself bookmarking these recipes to impress family and friends. Let’s dive in!

1. Red Bean Cold Cake (红豆凉糕)

The Secret Summer Staple

This melt-in-your-mouth dessert is a nostalgic treat! Soak red beans (adzuki) for 2 hours, steam for 25 minutes until tender, then mash with sugar, glutinous rice flour (250g), and milk. Pour into an oiled mold, steam for 20 minutes, chill for 2 hours, and slice into squares. Dust with sugar for a soft, chewy delight. Fun fact: Legend says a street vendor sold this to buy three homes in Guangzhou!

2. Mung Bean Jelly Cake (绿豆凉糕)

The Cooling Classic

Swap red beans for mung beans! Soak 2 cups of mung beans for 3 hours, steam for 18 minutes, then mix with sugar, glutinous rice flour (180g), and milk. Steam in a greased pan for 25 minutes, chill, and cube. Sprinkle with sugar for a refreshing, slightly earthy flavor. Kids and adults alike will beg for seconds.

3. Purple Sweet Potato & Yam Layered Cake (紫薯山药糕)

Elegant & Nutrient-Packed

Steam peeled yam and purple sweet potato separately, then mash each with honey or sugar. Layer them in a mold lined with parchment paper: yam first, then purple potato. Chill, slice, and roll in coconut flakes. Drizzle with桂花酱 (osmanthus syrup) for a floral twist. A guilt-free dessert that’s Instagram-worthy!

4. Milk & Corn Honey Cake (玉米桂花糕)

Sweetness in Every Bite

Boil corn kernels, blend with milk (200ml) and glutinous rice flour (200g). Steam the batter for 15 minutes, chill, then cube. Arrange artistically and drizzle with桂花蜜 (sweet osmanthus honey). The floral aroma paired with creamy corn is pure bliss. Pro tip: Use fresh corn for extra crunch!

5. Milky Rice Cake (小米凉糕)

Gluten-Free Wonder

Soak小米 (millet) for 1 hour, steam until fluffy, then mix with milk, sugar, and cornstarch. Steam the mixture for 15 minutes, chill, and slice. Serve with honey or fruit compote. Its delicate texture and mild sweetness make it a crowd-pleaser.

6. 5-Minute Date & Sticky Rice Balls (红枣糯米团)

Breakfast or Dessert? Both!

Chop dates, mix with glutinous rice flour (200g) and milk (180ml). Roll into balls, steam for 20 minutes. Chewy, naturally sweet, and perfect with coffee.

7. Milky Corn Jelly (牛奶玉米冻)

Kid-Friendly Fun

Blend fresh corn with milk, strain, then simmer with sugar and agar-agar. Pour into molds, chill, and slice. Serve cold—it’s like summer in a bite!

8. Purple Sweet Potato Mochi Rolls (紫薯糯米卷)

Tea Time Star

Steam糯米粉 (glutinous rice flour) with milk and oil into a dough. Mash steamed purple sweet potatoes with sugar, spread over the rolled dough, then roll and slice. Dust with coconut flakes for a tropical vibe. Warning: Highly addictive!

9. Brown Sugar Steamed Cake (红糖发糕)

The Fluffiest “No-Oven” Cake

Dissolve brown sugar in warm milk, add flour and baking powder. Let rise, mix in raisins, steam for 35 minutes. The result? A moist, caramel-like cake that’s perfect with tea.

10. Mixed Grain Mini Cakes (杂粮碗糕)

Healthy & Hearty

Soak黄豆 (soybeans),大米 (rice),小米 (millet), and corn, blend with milk, yeast, and sugar. Ferment, pour into oiled ramekins, top with nuts, and steam. Nutty, slightly sweet, and packed with fiber.

11. Red Bean & Millet Layered Cake (红豆小米钵仔糕)

Q弹 Texture Heaven

Layer steamed red beans and millet with a mix of冰糖 (rock sugar),红糖 (brown sugar), and钵仔糕粉 (rice flour). Steam in stages for a stunning tri-layer dessert. Serve cold—it’s chewy, not too sweet, and utterly satisfying.

12. Milky Rice Cupcakes (米香小碗糕)

Rice Pudding’s Fluffy Cousin

Blend soaked rice with milk, add yeast and flour, ferment, then steam in cups with raisins. Light, airy, and subtly sweet—ideal for brunch.

13. Cornbread Cake (玉米面发糕)

Southern Comfort, Asian Style

Cook cornmeal in boiling water, mix with egg, sugar, and flour. Ferment, steam, and slice. Dense yet tender, with a golden crust. Serve with butter or honey.

14. Steamed Yogurt Cake (酸奶蒸糕)

2-Ingredient Magic

Whisk yogurt, eggs, and cornstarch, pour into a mold with raisins, steam for 30 minutes. Creamy, tangy, and low in sugar—a guilt-free treat!

15. No-Bake Apple & Yam Cake (山药苹果糕)

The Ultimate Healthy Indulgence

Blend steamed yam, apple, egg, dates, and black sesame into a batter. Steam, top with nuts, and slice. Naturally sweet, gluten-free, and packed with vitamins.

Final Tip: Many recipes use glutinous rice flour (not the same as wheat flour!), agar-agar, or steamed techniques for that signature chew. Stock up on Asian pantry staples, and you’ll master these desserts in no time!

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