Quimbolitos (Ecuadorian Steamed Sweet Cakes)
In short: Soft, cake-like Ecuadorian steamed dessert of butter, eggs and flour with raisins, wrapped in leaves and served with coffee. It takes about 1 h 25 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total
- 1 h 25 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 375 kcal
Quimbolitos are small steamed cakes from the Ecuadorian highlands, traditionally wrapped in achira leaves, which add a mild green aroma. The batter is rich with butter and egg yolks, lightened with whipped whites and dotted with raisins. Once steamed it turns tender, with a fine crumb. Bakeries and markets sell them with morning coffee or an afternoon hot drink, and they turn up at family gatherings too.
Instructions
- Soften the wrappers: dip banana leaves in boiling water for 30 seconds, or soak corn husks in warm water for 30 minutes. Cut banana leaves into 20 cm (8 in) squares.
- Beat the butter and sugar for 4 minutes until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, then the vanilla and orange zest.
- Whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt together. Fold into the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk, then fold in the raisins.
- Whip the egg whites to stiff peaks, 3 to 4 minutes, and fold them into the batter in two additions.
- Place about 3 tablespoons of batter in the center of a wrapper. Fold the bottom up, then the sides and the top to make a closed packet and tie it. Fill only about halfway, because the cake rises.
- Stand the packets upright in a steamer, folded side down, over simmering water. Cover and steam for 40 minutes, until a skewer pushed through the leaf comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes, then unwrap and serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Banana leaves sold frozen in Asian or Latin markets work well if you cannot find achira. Corn husks are the next best choice.
- Keep the steam gentle and top up the pot with boiling water. Cold water stops the cooking and makes the cakes dense.
Questions and answers
What are quimbolitos wrapped in?
Traditionally achira leaves, which are large and flexible and add a light aroma. Banana leaves and corn husks are common substitutes outside Ecuador.
Can I make quimbolitos without a steamer?
Yes. Set a heatproof rack or an upside-down bowl in a wide pot, add 3 cm (1 in) of water, stack the packets on top and cover tightly.
How long do quimbolitos keep?
Up to 2 days at room temperature in their wrappers, a week in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer. Reheat by steaming for 10 minutes.
How long does it take to make Quimbolitos (Ecuadorian Steamed Sweet Cakes)?
About 1 h 25 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Quimbolitos (Ecuadorian Steamed Sweet Cakes)?
About 375 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 53 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 375 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 53 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Sodium | 190 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
