Strawberry Mochi are sweet and chewy treats featuring mochi stuffed with ripe strawberries and a sweet Japanese bean paste. These delicious delights are surprisingly easy to make and are a tasty way to celebrate strawberry season!
food coloringoptional. If you use food coloring, 3 drops will do. As you mix it, the color deepens.
Instructions
Prepare strawberries - Clean, dry, and remove the stems of the strawberries with a knife. Take a tablespoon of the shiroan or anko and wrap a strawberry with the paste so it is evenly covered, leaving the tip of the strawberry exposed. The exposed tip will help anchor the strawberry into the mochi. Place the strawberry on a plate so the point stands upward. Continue the process until all of the strawberries are covered. Set aside in the refrigerator.
6 fresh strawberries, 6 tablespoon shiroan or anko
Mix mochi batter - Mix Mochiko, sugar, and water until smooth. Lightly spray a microwavable glass or ceramic baking dish with cooking spray or wipe with neutral cooking oil. This helps prevent the mochi from sticking to the bowl. Pour in mochi batter.
¾ cup mochiko, 4 tablespoon sugar, ¾ cups water
Cook mochi - Microwave for 3 minutes at 600 watts. Remove mochi mixture from the microwave and mix with a silicone spatula or rice paddle. Microwave for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from microwave and knead the mochi with a silicone spatula or rice paddle in the bowl until smooth. The dough will be pliable and sticky. Note that microwaves can vary in power, which will alter cook times.
Wrap strawberries - Dust a clean, dry working surface with potato starch. Dust your hands and a knife with potato starch to make them non-stick. Transfer the mochi from the bowl onto the potato starch. Use a knife to cut mochi into 6 workable pieces. The mochi will be hot, so put the piece of mochi on the potato starch to lightly coat it before picking it up with your hands to shape it. Form a disc, place a strawberry into the center of the disc with the tip facing toward the center of the mochi disc, then fold sides over the strawberry, pinching the bottom of the mochi to seal. Place each mochi in a cupcake liner to keep the mochi from spreading and sticking.
potato starch, food coloring
Cut in half - Cut the mochi in half to reveal the strawberry in the center and enjoy.
Notes
Top Tips
Work with the mochi as soon as it is done cooking and before it sets so it is still soft and you can wrap it easily around the strawberries.
In order to evenly apply the bean paste around the strawberries, apply the bean paste to the strawberries then gently roll them around in your hands.
Give them as a gift - Strawberry Mochi are great treats for neighbors and friends. In order to give them as a gift, place them in an air-tight container and place each mochi into an individual cupcake wrapper so they don't stick together.
Storage
These strawberry mochi are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an air-tight container for up to 1 day. Do not store mochi in the refrigerator or they will become hard and dry out.