Easy Ichigo Daifuku (Strawberry Mochi with Red Bean)
Cook mochi in the microwave (or in a steamer), then stuff with strawberry and red bean paste. See my tips on how to get the softest mochi texture!
Servings: 9 pieces
Ingredients
- 150 g shiratamako (about 1 cup + 3 tbsp) can substitute mochiko
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 200 mL water about 1 cup minus 2 tbsp
- 250 g red bean paste about half a store bought package
- 9 strawberries medium sized
- katakuriko (potato starch) as needed for dusting
Instructions
- Wash and cut leaves off strawberries. Make sure strawberries are dried off.
- Divide red bean paste into 9 chunks. Roll each chunk into a ball and flatten with your palm.
- Wrap each strawberry in red bean paste, forming a ball. Place red bean and strawberry balls in fridge while preparing the mochi.
- In a heat proof bowl, whisk together shiratamako and sugar.
- Add water, stirring with a silicone spatula until combined into a dough.
- Cover tightly with either a microwave lid or plastic wrap, then microwave for 2 and a half minutes, stirring once about halfway through. You'll know the mochi is cooked when it turns from opaque white to somewhat translucent all the way through.
- Scoop cooked mochi onto a surface dusted with katakuriko. Divide into 9 equal pieces.
- Working with one piece at a time, roll out into a flat, circular shape about 3 inches in diameter. Keep the unused pieces covered with a towel or plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out.
- Place a red bean/strawberry ball in the middle of your flattened mochi. Wrap the strawberry with the mochi, pinching the ends together to form a ball. Dust your finished daifuku with katakuriko as necessary to keep from sticking.
- Continue rolling and wrapping your daifuku until you've used all 9 pieces. Daifuku are best eaten the day they are made.
Notes
You can also cook your mochi in a steamer for 15 minutes.
If you don't want to deal with mochi sticking to the bottom of your bowl, you can line it with a wet hand towel prior to microwaving. Mochi will not stick to a damp cloth.