Glutinous Rice Balls (Tangyuan)

Delight your taste buds with the comforting warmth of Glutinous Rice Balls (Tangyuan), a classic Chinese dessert that’s as rich in tradition as it is in flavor. These chewy rice dumplings are filled with a luscious black sesame, sugar, and butter paste, creating an irresistibly nutty and slightly sweet surprise in every bite. Served in a fragrant ginger-infused brown sugar syrup, this dessert is the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, with just the right amount of warmth for a cozy treat. Simple to prepare yet strikingly elegant, Tangyuan is a festive staple often enjoyed during Lunar New Year and other celebrations. Whether you're recreating cherished family traditions or exploring Asian cuisine, this recipe is a must-try for dessert lovers.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 200 grams Glutinous rice flour
• 180 milliliters Warm water
• 100 grams Black sesame paste
• 50 grams Sugar
• 25 grams Unsalted butter
• 30 grams Fresh ginger
• 100 grams Brown sugar
• 600 milliliters Water

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the black sesame filling by combining black sesame paste, 50 grams of sugar, and unsalted butter in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until it forms a smooth paste. Refrigerate the filling for about 15 minutes to firm up.

Step 2

To make the glutinous rice dough, add 180 milliliters of warm water to the 200 grams of glutinous rice flour in a mixing bowl. Mix the dough with your hands until it becomes smooth and non-sticky. Cover with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.

Step 3

Divide the dough into small equal pieces, about the size of a ping pong ball. Flatten each piece into a disc using your palm.

Step 4

Take a small spoonful of the chilled black sesame filling and place it in the center of a dough disc. Carefully wrap the dough around the filling and roll it gently into a ball. Make sure the filling is completely enclosed. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.

Step 5

In a medium saucepan, bring 600 milliliters of water to a boil. Add sliced ginger and brown sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Let it simmer for a few minutes to allow the ginger flavor to infuse.

Step 6

Gently drop the prepared glutinous rice balls into the boiling ginger syrup. Stir carefully to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the rice balls float to the top.

Step 7

Serve the glutinous rice balls warm in bowls with the ginger syrup.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1296.2 grams (1296.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2097

Total Fat 73.00g	94%
Saturated Fat 19.80g	99%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 55mg	18%
Sodium 99mg	4%
Total Carbohydrate 341.10g	124%
Dietary Fiber 20.20g	72%
Total Sugars 147.70g
Protein 30.70g	61%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1125mg	87%
Iron 16mg	91%
Potassium 740mg	16%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.6%

Protein: 5.7%

Carbs: 63.6%