Tangyuan (Glutinous Rice Balls)

Experience the comforting sweetness and chewy texture of Tangyuan (Glutinous Rice Balls), a traditional Chinese dessert perfect for celebrations or cozy evenings. These delicate rice balls are made with glutinous rice flour and filled with a rich, fragrant black sesame paste, offering a delightful contrast of flavors and textures. Simmered in a warm ginger-infused syrup sweetened with brown sugar, this recipe combines aromatic spices and indulgent fillings for an unforgettable treat. Whether you're celebrating the Lantern Festival or craving an authentic Asian dessert, Tangyuan is easy to make and a joy to savor. Perfect for dessert lovers and cultural food enthusiasts alike, this recipe brings a taste of tradition to your table!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 200 grams Glutinous rice flour
• 180 milliliters Water
• 100 grams Black sesame seeds
• 50 grams Granulated sugar
• 30 grams Unsalted butter
• 20 grams Ginger
• 50 grams Brown sugar
• 1000 milliliters Water for boiling

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the black sesame filling. Toast the black sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes until fragrant. Let them cool slightly.

Step 2

Grind the toasted sesame seeds into a fine powder using a blender or food processor. The texture should be slightly coarse.

Step 3

In a small bowl, combine the ground sesame seeds with granulated sugar and melted unsalted butter. Mix until it forms a thick, paste-like consistency.

Step 4

Divide the sesame paste into small balls, roughly 1 teaspoon each, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill them in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Step 5

To make the dough, place the glutinous rice flour in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add the water, stirring continuously, until a smooth and soft dough forms. The dough should not be sticky to touch.

Step 6

Divide the dough into small pieces, each about the size of a ping-pong ball.

Step 7

Take one piece of dough and flatten it in your palm to create a small disc. Place one chilled sesame paste ball in the center of the disc, then carefully wrap the dough around it, sealing completely.

Step 8

Gently roll the filled dough ball in your palms to smooth the surface. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.

Step 9

In a large pot, bring 1000 milliliters of water to a boil. Add ginger slices and brown sugar to create a ginger syrup. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 10

Gently drop the filled rice balls into the boiling syrup. Stir them gently to prevent sticking, and cook until they float to the surface, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 11

Once the tangyuan are cooked through, serve them warm in a bowl with some of the ginger syrup.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1647 grams (1647.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1927

Total Fat 77.10g	99%
Saturated Fat 22.30g	112%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 66mg	22%
Sodium 37mg	2%
Total Carbohydrate 289.60g	105%
Dietary Fiber 15.70g	56%
Total Sugars 98.80g
Protein 31.50g	63%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1082mg	83%
Iron 16mg	87%
Potassium 226mg	5%

*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: 35.1%

Protein: 6.4%

Carbs: 58.6%