Mochi are small, sweet Japanese cakes made with glutinous rice flour (mochiko). They have a soft, chewy outer layer and a deliciously sticky filling made of sweetened red bean paste. Freezing the red bean paste before you use it is optional but it does make the process easier.
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Easy Mochi
Mochi are small, sweet Japanese cakes made with glutinous rice flour (mochiko). They have a soft, chewy outer layer and a deliciously sticky filling made of sweetened red bean paste. Freezing the red bean paste before you use it is optional but it does make the process easier.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sweetened red bean paste
- 1 cup glutinous rice flour
- 1 teaspoon green tea powder matcha
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ½ cup cornstarch for rolling out the dough
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients.
- Wrap red bean paste in aluminum foil and place in the freezer until solid, at least 1 hour.
- Mix glutinous rice flour and green tea powder thoroughly in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Stir in water, then sugar; mix until smooth.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and microwave for 3 minutes 30 seconds.
- Meanwhile, remove red bean paste from the freezer and divide into 8 equal balls. Set aside.
- Remove rice flour mixture from the microwave. Stir and heat, covered, for another 15 to 30 seconds.
- Dust a work surface with cornstarch. Roll about 2 tablespoons of hot rice flour mixture into a ball. Flatten the ball and place one ball of frozen red bean paste in the center. Pinch and press the dough around the bean paste until completely covered.
- Sprinkle with additional cornstarch and place mochi, seam-side down, in a paper muffin liner to prevent sticking.
- Repeat Step 6 to make remaining mochi.
- Enjoy!