How to Make Strawberry Mochi (Daifuku)

Last Updated: May 6, 2021

Mochi, in which a sweet filling is wrapped in glutinous (sticky) rice dough, is a popular dessert snack in Asia. This particular treat is filled with a fresh strawberry, with an optional intermediate layer of sweet red bean paste. The Japanese term for this confection is daifuku^{[1]
X
Research source} and it's often associated with good luck!
This recipe makes 20 pieces.

Ingredients

2 cups (320 grams) mochiko (glutinous rice flour)
2 cups (475 mL) water
1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
1 can anko (red bean paste - optional)
More mochiko, for dusting/or use corn starch if it's easier
Whole strawberries, rinsed and hulled (raspberries will work too)
Cooking spray or oil, to avoid stickiness

Steps

1
Wrap the strawberries in red bean paste and set aside. (Optional)
2
Combine the water, mochiko, and sugar until smooth.
3
Coat a microwave safe container with oil or cooking spray.
4
Pour the batter in a relatively shallow layer.
5
Cover with an air-tight lid or plastic wrap and microwave for 7 minutes on High or until done. Alternatively, the dough can be steamed for 15 minutes, as shown in the video below.
6
Dust your work area or cutting board with mochiko flour.
7
Pull off a small piece of dough, roll it into a ball, and flatten down.
8
Take a whole strawberry, put it in the center of the flat piece, and pinch it closed so you have a nice strawberry filled ball.
9
Finished.

Warnings

Be careful when consuming mochi. A few people die each New Year while eating the sticky dough. If you are thinking of feeding this to someone who might have trouble (i.e. children and/or senior citizens) please consider making smaller pieces.

Thanks!
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1