Guest Post: Daifuku – a Japanese Treat by Cheap Ethnic Eatz

Usually known simply as mochi, this treat is more accurately named Daifukumochi (Daifuku for short). Daifukumochis are made with mochi, a sticky rice cake, shaped like a ball which is stuffed with a sweet paste or or small fruits inside. The most common sweet stuffing is red bean paste but you can use any sweet paste or spread you like as well.

The result is a unique little treat consisting of a smooth chewy shell with a sweet center. Once cooked, they must be coated with a fine layer of corn starch or other coating to prevent them from sticking together. The recipe I am suggesting below is a creative twist with peanut butter. I also made some with Speculoos.  You could try it with jam, lotus paste, and even Nutella!

Take each piece of the flattened dough; scoop about a teaspoon (or less) of peanut butter into the center. Gather up the edges into the center and roll it into a ball again. Make sure the filling is well sealed inside.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the mochi dough pieces in the pot, you may want to do this in 2 batches so they don’t overcrowd. Once the dough pieces float, they are cooked. Remove with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel briefly to absorb the water.

Coat the balls generously with your choice of coating. Let them cool slightly before eating.

Coating possibilities:
– sesame seeds
– desiccated coconut
–  glutinous rice flour, corn starch or potato starch
– 1 part glutinous rice flour, 1 part cocoa
– 1 part roasted soya bean powder, 1 part powdered sugar

Thank you Evelyne for your kind words and sharing your Daifuku recipe! Visit Cheap Ethnic Eatz for amazing local and ethnic recipes as well as Montreal restaurant reviews.