Tang Yuan (Chinese Sweet Rice Dumplings)

These smooth and chewy dumplings are perfect to eat with family on a cold winter's night.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hr
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 1 hr 5 mins
Course Dessert
Servings 16 dumplings

Ingredients
  

For the Filling

  • 1 cup Sesame powder
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup shortening (melted) Use can use other forms of fat ie: butter or lard

For the dough

  • 1 cup glutinous rice flour
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 16 2x2 squares parchment paper

Instructions
 

For the Filling

  • In a bowl, combine 1 cup sesame powder, 1 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup melted shortening together into a paste.
    2. Press sesame paste into 1/2 inch diameter balls. If the balls can't hold their shape, add more melted shortening.
    3. Place in the refrigerator to chill.

To make the dumplings

  • In a bowl, knead 1 cup glutinous rice flour and 1/2 cup water to form a smooth and slightly tacky dough. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour. If the dough cracks, add more water.
    2. Take the chilled filling out of the refrigerator.
    3. Divide dough into 16 ping pong ball sized portions. Roll them into balls.
    4. Placing your thumbs in the center of a dough ball, shape into a bowl. 
    5. Place a ball of filling into the center of the dough. Stretch the edge of the dough around the filling and pinch to close. 
    6. Gently roll the dumpling into a smooth ball. Place filled dumplings onto a piece of parchment paper.
    7. Boil enough water to submerge the dumplings completely.
    8. Carefully place each dumpling into boiling water and stir gently to prevent sticking to the pot and each other.
    9. When the dumplings start to float, let them cook for another minute. Ladle them into bowls and enjoy them while they're hot.

Notes

  1. It's important to use glutinous rice flour. Do not substitute with sweet rice flour (ie: Mochiko). The texture comes out more dense and gummy.
  2. Enjoy your tang yuan as is or serve them in a lightly sweetened syrup. We served ours in a syrup made of water and rock sugar. 
  3. When your tang yuan are made, you can freeze them for later use or cook them immediately. When freezing, place the tang yuan on a cookie sheet. Once frozen, they can be stored in a plastic bag or air tight container.
Keyword lunar new year, sweet dumplings, tang yuan