Red bean is a popular ingredient in Asian desserts, known for its nutty and slightly sweet flavor. These 10 Must-Try Red Bean Desserts offer a wide range of options, from classic red bean paste to unique flavors like red bean ice cream and red bean mochi.
What I love about red bean desserts is that they offer a unique and delicious twist to traditional desserts. The recipes incorporate the nutty and sweet flavors of red bean, creating a rich and flavorful taste that is perfect for any occasion.
Red bean desserts are also a great way to experiment with new flavors and ingredients. The recipes incorporate a variety of ingredients, such as coconut milk, glutinous rice flour, and sesame seeds, creating a unique and complex taste. They are perfect for those who love to add a touch of creativity to their cooking and try new flavors.
Overall, red bean desserts are a delightful addition to any dessert repertoire. They offer a chance to indulge in something sweet and unique while showcasing culinary skills and creativity. These 10 Must-Try Red Bean Desserts are a great place to start and are sure to impress anyone who tries them.
1. Red Bean Mochi
Red bean mochi is a delightful Japanese sweet treat that I can’t resist. The soft and chewy texture of mochi combined with the creamy and slightly sweet filling of red bean paste is a heavenly combination. The best part is that this dessert is gluten-free and vegan, making it a guilt-free indulgence. Whether you’re looking for an afternoon snack or a dessert to impress your guests, red bean mochi is the perfect choice. Here’s a simple recipe to make red bean mochi at home.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup glutinous rice flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¾ cup water
- ½ cup red bean paste
- Potato starch for dusting
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix the glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water until it forms a smooth batter.
- Pour the batter into a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 1 minute.
- Remove the dish from the microwave and stir the batter well.
- Return the dish to the microwave and microwave for another 30 seconds.
- Remove the dish from the microwave and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Dust a clean surface with potato starch and turn the mochi out onto the surface.
- Knead the mochi until it becomes smooth and pliable.
- Divide the mochi into small balls and flatten them into disks.
- Spoon a small amount of red bean paste onto the center of each disk.
- Pinch the edges of the disk together to seal the red bean paste inside.
- Dust the mochi with potato starch to prevent them from sticking together.
- Serve and enjoy!
2. Red Bean Ice Cream
Red bean ice cream is a classic Japanese dessert that is both delicious and refreshing. I love this recipe because it is a unique take on traditional ice cream flavors and provides a delightful sweetness that is not overpowering. The creamy texture of the ice cream combined with the subtle flavor of red bean creates a perfect balance. This recipe by Just One Cookbook is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients. It is a great way to impress your guests with a different dessert option.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup red bean paste
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 4 egg yolks
Instructions:
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until well combined.
- In a saucepan, heat the milk and heavy cream over medium heat until it starts to steam.
- Slowly pour the milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking continuously.
- Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Stir in the red bean paste until well combined.
- Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Transfer the ice cream to a container and freeze for at least 2 hours before serving.
3. Red Bean Paste Buns
As a food lover, I’m always on the hunt for unique and delicious recipes from around the world. Red bean desserts, a popular dessert in Asia, are one of my favorites due to their sweet and nutty flavor. They are often used in traditional desserts such as mochi, ice cream, and buns. If you haven’t tried red bean desserts yet, you’re missing out on something truly special.
Red bean buns, also known as anpan, are a popular pastry in Japan and China. They are soft and fluffy buns filled with sweet red bean paste. These buns are perfect for a sweet breakfast, snack or dessert
Ingredients:
For the dough:
- 300g bread flour
- 50g sugar
- 5g dry yeast
- 150ml warm milk
- 1 egg
- 25g unsalted butter, softened
For the filling:
- 300g red bean paste
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine bread flour, sugar, and dry yeast.
- Add warm milk, egg, and softened butter to the bowl and mix well.
- Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough and let it rest for 1 hour until it doubles in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 10-12 equal pieces.
- Flatten each piece of dough and spoon a tablespoon of red bean paste in the center.
- Wrap the dough around the filling and shape it into a ball.
- Place the buns on a lined baking tray and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the buns for 15-20 minutes until they turn golden brown.
- Brush the buns with melted butter and let them cool for 5 minutes before serving.
4. Red Bean Popsicles
Red bean popsicles are a popular treat in many Asian countries, especially during hot summer months. They are delicious, refreshing, and easy to make at home. The creamy and sweet red bean paste is combined with milk and a little bit of sugar to make these popsicles.
Resulting in a unique and satisfying dessert that is perfect for any time of day. Not only are they delicious, but they are also a healthier alternative to many other ice cream treats. Here is a simple and easy recipe for making red bean popsicles at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup red bean paste
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the red bean paste, whole milk, and granulated sugar.
- Mix until the sugar is dissolved and the ingredients are well combined.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and insert sticks.
- Freeze for 6-8 hours or overnight, until completely solid.
- Once frozen, remove from molds and enjoy your delicious red bean popsicles!
5. Red Bean Soup
One of the most popular ingredients in Asian desserts is sweet red bean paste. It’s sweet, creamy, and has a unique flavor that pairs well with a variety of ingredients. From ice cream to mochi, sweet red bean paste is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of desserts.
One of the simplest and most popular desserts made with sweet red bean paste is sweet red bean soup. It’s a warm and comforting dessert that’s perfect for cold winter nights or as a sweet treat after dinner. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make sweet red bean soup from scratch.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sweet red bean paste
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup rock sugar
- 1 strip dried tangerine peel (optional)
Instructions:
- Rinse the sweet red beans with water and soak them in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain the beans and rinse them again.
- In a pot, add the red beans, water, and dried tangerine peel (if using). Bring it to a boil and then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are soft and the liquid has thickened.
- Add the rock sugar to the pot and stir until it’s completely dissolved. Cook for another 10 minutes until the soup thickens further.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
6. Red Bean Cheesecake
7. Red Bean Taiyaki
As someone who loves to experiment with different cuisines, I was thrilled to discover the combination of Nutella and red bean custard in this Taiyaki recipe from Alo Japan. Taiyaki is a popular Japanese snack, typically filled with sweet red bean paste, but this recipe takes it to the next level by adding Nutella and custard to the mix. The result is a sweet and creamy filling that perfectly complements the crispy exterior of the fish-shaped cake. It’s an easy and fun recipe to make at home, and a great way to introduce yourself to the delicious world of Japanese sweets.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sweet red bean paste
- 1/2 cup Nutella
- 1/2 cup custard
- Cooking spray
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- Beat in the egg and milk until the batter is smooth.
- Heat a taiyaki pan on medium heat and lightly spray with cooking spray.
- Pour the batter into the pan, filling each fish-shaped mold about 2/3 full.
- Add a dollop of sweet red bean paste, Nutella, and custard to each mold, then cover with more batter until the mold is almost full.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
8. Red Bean Jelly
Japanese sweets are not only delicious but also a feast for the eyes. Mizu Yokan is a traditional Japanese sweet made with agar-agar, red bean paste, and sugar. It has a jelly-like texture and a subtle sweetness that makes it a perfect dessert after a hearty meal.
What makes Mizu Yokan unique is its shape, which is usually square or rectangular and can be cut into slices. It’s a delightful treat that’s enjoyed by people of all ages.
Ingredients:
- 150g red bean paste
- 10g agar-agar powder
- 700ml water
- 100g granulated sugar
Instructions:
- In a small pot, mix the agar-agar powder and water together. Stir until the agar-agar powder is fully dissolved.
- Add sugar to the pot and mix until fully dissolved.
- Heat the pot over medium heat until the mixture starts to boil.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and add the red bean paste. Stir until the red bean paste is fully dissolved.
- Pour the mixture into a rectangular container and let it cool at room temperature.
- Once cooled, place the container in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours until the Mizu Yokan is firm.
- Slice into pieces and serve chilled.
9. Red Bean Pancakes
Red bean pancake is a popular Japanese dessert that I love because it is not only delicious but also easy to make. This pancake is a delightful combination of sweet red bean paste and soft, fluffy pancake. The red bean paste filling provides a sweet and earthy flavor that complements the subtle sweetness of the pancake. This dish is perfect for a sweet breakfast or a dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sweetened red bean paste
- butter, for cooking
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and vegetable oil.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined.
- Melt some butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Pour 1/4 cup of the batter onto the frying pan.
- Add a spoonful of red bean paste on top of the pancake.
- Pour another 1/4 cup of the batter over the red bean paste.
- Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to dry.
- Flip the pancake and cook until the other side is golden brown.
- Repeat with the remaining batter and red bean paste.
- Serve warm with a drizzle of honey or syrup, if desired.
10. Red Bean Tang Yuan
Red bean soup tang yuan is a classic Chinese dessert that is not only delicious but also has cultural significance. It is often served during the Lantern Festival, which is the first full moon of the lunar new year, and symbolizes family togetherness and completeness.
I love this recipe because it is simple yet satisfying, and it always reminds me of happy family gatherings. The sweet soup with the chewy glutinous rice balls and the smooth red bean paste filling is a perfect combination of flavors and textures that will warm your heart and soul. Here is the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup red bean paste
- 1 cup glutinous rice flour
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup potato starch (or cornstarch)
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Instructions:
- Divide the red bean paste into small balls (about 1 teaspoon each) and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the glutinous rice flour and warm water. Knead the mixture until it forms a smooth dough.
- Divide the dough into small pieces (about 1 teaspoon each) and flatten them into circles.
- Place a red bean paste ball in the center of each circle and wrap the dough around it to form a small ball. Repeat until all the dough and red bean paste are used up.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the rice balls. Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until they float to the surface.
- In a separate pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil and add the sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the cooked rice balls to the sugar water and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Serve the sweet red bean soup with the tang yuan and enjoy!
Conclusion
In conclusion, red bean desserts are a delicious and versatile way to incorporate this nutritious legume into your diet. From classic sweet soups to modern twists on traditional treats, there’s a red bean dessert for everyone to enjoy. Whether you prefer something warm and comforting or cool and refreshing, the possibilities are endless. Red beans are not only delicious but also offer several health benefits, such as being a good source of protein, fiber, and iron. So why not give these red bean desserts a try and indulge in some guilt-free sweetness while reaping the nutritional benefits?
