Teresa's Recipes
Banh Trung Thu (Vietnamese Mooncakes)
Banh Trung Thu, affectionately known as Mooncake, is a delectable Vietnamese pastry that captures the spirit of the Mid-Autumn Festival. This traditional delight is a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring a tender glutinous rice shell, a savory salted egg yolk, and a sweet, aromatic lotus seed paste filling. The sprinkling of melon seeds on top adds a delightful crunch, making every bite an experience to savor. In Vietnam, these mooncakes are a symbol of reunion and happiness and are shared amongst family and friends during the festival.
Ingredients
- 1, beaten (for egg wash) Egg
- 1/4 cup Melon seeds
- 12 Salted egg yolks
- 1 cup Lotus seed paste
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1/4 cup Vegetable oil
- 2 cups Glutinous rice flour
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 12
- Dish Type: Dessert
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Calories: 200
- Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 30g
- Protein: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Sugar: 10g
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the glutinous rice flour, vegetable oil, and water. Knead the mixture until a smooth, pliable dough forms.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
- Flatten a dough ball with your palm, creating a small well in the center. Place a salted egg yolk and a spoonful of lotus seed paste in the well.
- Carefully wrap the dough around the filling, ensuring it is completely sealed. Roll the filled dough into a smooth ball. Repeat this process with the remaining dough and filling.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Brush each mooncake with a generous amount of egg wash. This will give your mooncakes a beautiful, glossy finish.
- Sprinkle melon seeds on top of each mooncake, gently pressing them into the dough to secure.
- Bake the mooncakes for 25-30 minutes, or until they turn a lovely golden brown.
- Remove the mooncakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely before serving. The flavors deepen as the mooncakes cool, making for a more enjoyable eating experience.
Tips
- The mooncakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They are traditionally enjoyed with hot tea, which complements their rich flavors.