Red Bean Mooncakes
Red Bean Mooncakes are a beloved traditional pastry featuring a smooth, sweet red bean paste filling wrapped in a tender, flaky crust. Perfect for celebrations like the Mid-Autumn Festival or any special occasion, these mooncakes offer a harmonious balance of natural sweetness, rich texture, and cultural heritage in every bite.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 12 hours (including soaking time)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 mooncakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Red Bean Filling
- 200g dried red beans
- 100g sugar (adjust to taste)
Dough
- 100g golden syrup
- 50ml vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp alkaline water
- 160g all-purpose flour
Finishing
- Preparing the Red Bean Filling: Soak the red beans overnight. Then boil them until they are soft. Mash the cooked beans and cook them with sugar over low heat until a smooth, thick paste forms. Allow the paste to cool completely before using it as the filling.
- Making the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine golden syrup, vegetable oil, and alkaline water thoroughly. Gradually add the flour and knead gently until a soft, pliable dough forms. Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 30 minutes to develop the right texture.
- Assembling the Mooncakes: Divide the dough and the cooled red bean paste into equal portions. Flatten each dough ball and wrap it tightly around the red bean filling, sealing it completely to prevent cracking. Shape into smooth spheres, then press into mooncake molds to imprint the traditional patterns.
- Baking to Perfection: Place the molded mooncakes on a lined baking tray. Brush the tops with egg wash and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, brush a second layer of egg wash, and return to bake for another 10-15 minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
Notes
- Ensure the red bean paste is thick and smooth to prevent sogginess in the mooncakes.
- Resting the dough relaxes the gluten, making shaping easier and improving the texture.
- Seal the mooncakes tightly to avoid cracks and maintain their neat shape during baking.
- Using traditional mooncake molds gives a beautiful, authentic design.
- Apply the egg wash twice for a glossy, golden crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mooncake
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Red Bean Mooncake, Mooncake Recipe, Chinese Dessert, Mid-Autumn Festival Treat, Traditional Pastry, Red Bean Paste Filling