Imagine biting into a delicate, cloud-like pastry that reveals a vibrant purple sweet potato filling - a culinary masterpiece that combines traditional Chinese dessert-making with a modern twist! These Snow Skin Mooncakes are not just a treat; they're an experience that transports you to the heart of Chinese culinary artistry. Perfect for festive celebrations or a unique dessert that will impress your friends and family, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary delicacy that looks as stunning as it tastes.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 8 pieces
Ingredients
- Purple sweet potato (1 cup, mashed)
- Glutinous rice flour (1 cup)
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup)
- Vegetable oil (1/4 cup)
- Water (1/2 cup)
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the purple sweet potato filling. If you are starting with whole sweet potatoes, peel and chop them into chunks. Steam the sweet potato chunks for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender. Once cooked, mash the sweet potatoes in a bowl until smooth. You should have about 1 cup of mashed purple sweet potato.
- If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can mix in a tablespoon or two of sugar to the mashed sweet potato, adjusting to taste. Set the filling aside to cool while you prepare the snow skin dough.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of glutinous rice flour and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. Mix well to ensure there are no lumps.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of vegetable oil and 1/2 cup of water. If you would like to add food coloring for a more vibrant appearance, add a few drops to this mixture and stir until well combined.
- Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring continuously with a spatula or wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky. If it feels too dry, add a little more water, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Once the dough is ready, divide it into 8 equal portions. You can use a kitchen scale for accuracy if desired. Roll each portion into a ball and then flatten it into a disc, about 3 inches in diameter, on a clean surface dusted with a little glutinous rice flour to prevent sticking.
- Take a small amount of the mashed purple sweet potato filling (about 1 tablespoon) and place it in the center of each flattened dough disc. Carefully fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pinching to seal it completely. Ensure there are no cracks to prevent the filling from leaking out during the molding process.
- Once the filling is sealed inside, gently roll the filled dough ball between your palms to smooth it out. Repeat this process for the remaining dough and filling.
- To shape the mooncakes, you will need a mooncake mold. Lightly dust the mold with glutinous rice flour to prevent sticking. Place one filled dough ball into the mold and press down firmly to shape it. Gently release the mooncake from the mold and place it on a serving platter. Repeat for all pieces.
- Your snow skin mooncakes are now ready to be enjoyed! They can be served immediately or refrigerated for a few hours to firm up. These mooncakes are best enjoyed chilled and can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Tips
- Temperature Matters: Keep your ingredients and workspace cool to prevent the delicate snow skin dough from becoming too sticky.
- Flour Power: Always dust your work surface and hands with glutinous rice flour to prevent sticking and ensure smooth handling of the dough.
- Filling Consistency: Ensure your sweet potato filling is smooth and not too wet, which could make sealing the mooncakes difficult.
- Mold Magic: If you don't have a traditional mooncake mold, you can use small cookie cutters or even shape them by hand for a rustic look.
- Chilling is Key: Refrigerate the mooncakes for at least an hour before serving to help them set and enhance their texture.
- Color Creative: Experiment with natural food colorings like butterfly pea flower or matcha to create unique variations of the snow skin.
- Make Ahead: These mooncakes can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator, making them perfect for meal prep or special occasions.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 166kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
