Ingredients

• 200 g glutinous rice flour (mochi-ko)
• 180 g water
• 100 g sugar
• Maizena or potato starch for dusting
• Optional filling: 200 g red bean paste (anko) or sweet sesame paste

Method

1. Mix the rice flour and sugar in a bowl. Gradually add the water while stirring until everything is well combined and smooth with no lumps. This forms the mochi dough.
2. Pour the mixture into a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with plastic wrap.
3. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute. Stir thoroughly with a spatula and repeat, heating for an additional 1 minute. Continue until the dough is translucent and elastic.
4. Spread Maizena or potato starch on a clean surface to prevent the mochi from sticking. Pour the hot mochi dough onto the dusted surface.
5. Let the dough cool slightly so it's manageable but still warm. Divide the dough into smaller portions.
6. Flatten each portion and place a small amount of optional filling in the center. Fold the edges toward the middle and pinch together to ensure the filling is sealed inside the mochi.
7. Gently roll each mochi ball in your hands to shape it, making sure to keep it well-coated with starch to prevent stickiness.
8. Arrange your homemade mochi on a plate, and optionally dust them with more starch for a finished look.
9. Enjoy your mochi immediately after preparation for the best flavor and texture.

Variations and tips

For an extra flavor variation you can experiment with adding matcha powder to the dough for a green tea mochi or filling them with fresh fruit like strawberries for a refreshing variant. If you'd like to explore more possibilities with mochi recipes, you can also try dipping the finished mochi in melted chocolate or sprinkling them with cinnamon.