Traditional Korean Sweet Rice Cakes Recipe: Gyeongdan

INTRODUCTION

Korean sweet rice cakes, known as gyeongdan, are Korean traditional sweets eaten especially during special occasions and festivals such as Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) and Sollal (Korean New Year). Glutinous rice flour is used to make these delicious rice cakes, and they are usually filled with sweet fillings such as red bean paste. They are also coated with a variety of toppings such as coconut flakes, sesame seeds, or roasted soybean powder. Gyeongdan’s chewy and soft texture and its mild sweetness make it a great snack or dessert. Let’s see how these attractive rice cakes can be made at home!

What is Gyeongdan?

Gyeongdan is a glutinous rice flour square-shaped rice cake, small in size, and typically filled with sweet red bean paste (pat) or sweet sesame seeds, and then often wrapped with several wraps such as sesame powder, sweet soybean powder, or chopped almonds. These rice cakes were very delicious desserts for people who do not like too much sugar since they were low in sugar and gave a balanced taste with sweet but mild sweetness.

Why We’ll Love Gyeongdan

Rice cakes made in the Gyeongdan region are extremely delicious due to their chewy texture and mild sweetness. These can be easily customized with different fillings and coverings, making them a versatile dessert for any occasion. It’s a beautiful way to experience a taste of Korean culture.

These sweet rice cakes give you a great opportunity to get a taste of Korean culture, whether you’re celebrating a special feast or just looking for a delicious snack. You can try making these traditional Gyeongdan rice cakes at home and then share this fun with your loved ones. These are sure to become a favorite in your kitchen, as they are simple yet elegant on the inside.

Tips for Perfect Gyeongdan

• Dough Texture: The dough must be soft and pliable without being too sticky, allowing it to maintain its shape. Be careful not to add too much water because it will make the cakes lose their chewiness.
• Filling Variety: Fill, with your imagination! You can use sweetened sesame seeds, chestnut puree, or even fruit jam in your rice cakes.
• Coating Options: If you want a unique variation on the traditional wrap, you can try the addition of roasted soybean powder and black sesame seeds, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or even matcha. You have many more options.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 3 cups of mochiko
• 3 tbsp caster sugar
• ¾ tsp salt
• 1½ cup boiling water
• Plain flour

Red Bean Paste

• 1½ cups dried azuki beans
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1½ tsp ground cinnamon

Black Sesame Powder

• ¾ cup black sesame seeds
• 3 tbsp caster sugar
• Pinch of salt

Roasted Soybean Powder

• ¾ cup konggaru (roasted soybean powder)
• 3 tbsp caster sugar
• Pinch of salt

Mugwort Powder

• ¾ cup ssookgaru (mugwort powder)
• 3 tbsp caster sugar
• Pinch of salt

Directions

To Prepare the Red Bean Paste

1. After soaking the adzuki beans, drain and rinse them thoroughly with water. Then put them in a vessel and add six cups of water to it. Boil it on high flame and then let it cook for ten minutes.
2. After that, reduce the flame to medium-low and let it cook on low flame for half an hour.
3. To check the doneness of the beans, eat one or two. When the beans are cooked, drain off the excess water and then mash the beans thoroughly with a potato masher or wooden spoon until they reach the desired consistency.
4. Now add salt, brown sugar, and cinnamon powder to it. Mix well and adjust as per taste. Then cover it and keep it aside.

To Prepare the Black Sesame Powder

1. Using a wooden spoon, roast the black sesame seeds in a dry pan on medium flame. Keep stirring the seeds frequently.
2. When the seeds start to crackle and release an aromatic aroma, reduce the flame to low and continue cooking them for another five to ten minutes until they become crisp. Remove from the pan and let cool slightly.
3. When the mixture has cooled, grind it with a coffee grinder or motor pestle.
4. Put the ground sesame seeds in a bowl and add the sugar and salt. Set aside for later use.

To Prepare Roasted Soybean Powder

1. Combine roasted soybean powder, sugar, and salt in a bowl and mix well. Drain the azuki beans and rinse thoroughly with water. Set aside for later use.

To Prepare Mugwort Powder

1. Now add the mugwort powder, sugar, and salt to another bowl and mix that too well. Put this aside.

To Make the Dough

1. To make sweet rice, combine the caster sugar and salt in a large bowl and mix well. Then put boiling hot water little by little and stir with a wooden spoon.
2. Then, once you have added in all the water, knead the dough well by hand. If you find your dough too wet, add just a little regular flour to it.
3. Place the kneaded dough in a place, and cover it with a damp tea cloth. This will keep the dough moist so that it does not dry out and also enable the dough to rise after processing.
4. After this process, your dough becomes ready and is kept safely for further use.

To Make the Gyeongdan

1. Boil water in a pot. Pour cold water into a large bowl. Spread some flour on a well-cleaned surface.
2. Divide the dough into three equal pieces and shape into a cylinder. Cut each cylinder into twenty pieces. Don’t forget to cover the work with a damp tea towel.
3. Roll each piece into a round shape and then make a hole in the center with your thumbs. Place a ball-sized amount of bean paste in the center of that hole. Close it tightly and place it on a plate, then cover it with a damp tea towel.
4. Now slowly drop the rice balls into the boiling water. Cook them for about three to five minutes, or until they start floating.
5. To remove them from the boiling water, you can use a spider or strainer spoon.
6. First drain the rice balls well and then hot roll them in black sesame seeds, mugwort, and roasted soybean powder.

CONCLUSION

Gyeongdan is a quintessential Korean dish – chewy, and mildly sweet, but with its varied filling and coating, it can pack in the whole experience of textures. Whether it is for a sweet craving or a special day, these rice cakes are a treat you can easily make at home and are easy and delicious. For those interested in trying traditional Korean sweets, Gyeonggi is a great choice because of its variety of flavors and how easy it is to make. Be sure to try this dish once, and you will be able to enjoy the delicious taste of Gyeongdan!

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