Easy Mochi

Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 5 min
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Description

Mochi are small Japanese cakes made with glutinous rice flour that have a soft, chewy outer layer and a deliciously sticky filling made of sweetened red bean paste.

Ingredients

1 cup sweetened red bean paste
1 cup glutinous rice flour
1 teaspoon green tea powder (matcha)
1 cup water
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch, for rolling out the dough

Directions

1 Gather all ingredients.
2 Wrap red bean paste in aluminum foil and place in the freezer until solid, at least 1 hour.
3 Mix glutinous rice flour and green tea powder thoroughly in a microwave-safe bowl.
4 Stir in water, then sugar; mix until smooth.
5 Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and microwave for 3 minutes 30 seconds.
6 Meanwhile, remove red bean paste from the freezer and divide into 8 equal balls. Set aside.
7 Remove rice flour mixture from the microwave. Stir and heat, covered, for another 15 to 30 seconds.
8 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.
9 Sprinkle with additional cornstarch and place mochi, seam-side down, in a paper muffin liner to prevent sticking.
10 Repeat Step 6 to make remaining mochi.
11 Enjoy!