Daifuku Mochi – Japanese sweets

What is daifuku mochi?

Daifuku mochi is a type of Japanese sweets made by wrapping sweet bean paste with mochi. Also called just “Daifuku”. Daifuku means big fortune and it is an auspicious word.  In Japan it is a very common Japanese sweet. Hence you can buy it not only at Japanese sweets stores but also at supermarkets.

Daifuku is easy to arrange, and you can mix matcha, black beans, and Japanese mugwort with mochi.  Besides this you can use not only sweet bean paste, but also fruits, custard cream and fresh cream for the filling.  I also enjoy changing it according to the season.  For example, in spring you can use strawberries, and in autumn candied chestnuts etc. If you want to know more about daifuku mochi, please click the link below.

Recipe tips 

Daifuku, wrapped in a soft and smooth mochi, makes you feel happy when you take a bite.  The recipe in this post makes it easy to make mochi in a microwave. If you have sweet bean paste, you can make daifuku in about 30 minutes. Freshly made, it is very soft and delicious.

If you can get a commercially available sweet bean paste, you can use it.  But if you want to make your own, click the link below for “how to make red bean paste”.

Mochi is very easy to make.  Put glutinous rice flour, sugar and water in a microwave safe bowl and mix well. Then cover with plastic wrap and heat it in the microwave in several batches. Mix well each time.  If it is cooked well, it will be translucent and elastic. The ratio of glutinous rice flour, sugar and water is 1: 1: 2.  It’s very easy to remember. And if you like soft mochi, try increasing the amount of water just a little.

Also, if you roll the sweet bean paste into balls before making the mochi, the work will go smoothly. I usually make paste balls with 25 grams each.　

The mochi is sticky and sticks to your fingers, so sprinkle with cornstarch while working. Then, when you have finished wrapping the sweet bean paste, use a brush to remove excess powder.

Since you can’t keep daifuku for a long time, it’s best to make an amount that you can eat at once and eat it on the same day.  In the recipe, you can make 12 small daifuku mochi. This is enough for four people. If you are with two people, it may be better to make it in half.

Some Ideas for variations

There are many variations of Daifuku mochi, but strawberry Daifuku is one of the most well-known. Literally the strawberry is placed in the center of the sweet bean paste of Daifuku mochi.  As for the taste, the sweetness of the sweet bean paste and the sourness of the strawberry add an effective accent to the overall taste of Daifuku. 

Similarly, you can use other fruits such as grapes, peaches,  oranges etc.  Wrap the fruit with sweet bean paste, and wrap it in mochi.  Alternatively, you can freeze and harden whipped cream instead of the fruit and make it in the same way.

When making mochi, you can enjoy various flavors by adding matcha, Japanese wormwood, or sesame seeds etc.  Add a small amount of strawberry or raspberry juice / puree to make the mochi pink and it looks very cute. It’s fun to combine various things to create your own original.

Print Recipe

Daifuku Mochi

Daifuku mochi is a type of Japanese sweets made by wrapping sweet bean paste with mochi. You can make mochi in a microvate oven and If you have sweet bean paste, you can make daifuku easily.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

wrapping Mochi10 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Dessert, Sweets

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: Japanese sweets, Mochi, Sweet bean paste

Servings: 12 Daifuku Mochi

Author: okawarishitene staff

Equipment

• 1 microwave safe bowl

Ingredients

• 100 gram Glutinous rice flour
• 100 gram Fine granulated sugar
• 200 – 215 ml Water
• 300 gram Sweet bean paste
• appropriate amount Corn starch

Instructions

• Divide the sweet bean paste into 25 grams and roll it into a ball.
  
• Put glutinous rice flour, sugar and water in a microwave safe bowl and mix well. 
  
• Then cover with plastic wrap and heat it in the microwave in several batches. Each time heat in the microwave (600w) for 1 minute, and mix .
  
• Repeat this until it becomes translucent and elastic.
  
• Sprinkle cornstarch on a large plate. Pour the mochi on the plate.  Sprinkle the cornstarch on top and spread it a little flat by hand. Then divide the mochi into 12 equal parts. 
  
• Spread the mochi a little, put the sweet bean paste balls on it. 
  
• Wrap it with mochi. Stretch the mochi along the sweet bean paste, pinch the mochi with your fingers and close it tightly. 
  
• Then turn it over and shape it into a round shape. Brush off excess cornstarch.
  

Notes

if you want to change the flavor of mochi, add flavor ingredients such as matcha to glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water, and heat it in the microwave.

 

It may seem difficult before you get used to it, but if you make it a couple of times, you will be able to make it easily. It’s delicious so please give it a try.

There is also a recipe for quick and easy steamed cake, so please try it as well if you like.

Thank you for reading and Bon Appetit!