These are pumpkin-filled, pumpkin-SHAPED, pumpkin mochi. AHHHH SO CUTE! And very delicious, too. The mochi is soft and chewy on the outside, pillowy and pumpkin-y on the inside.
This recipe makes 8 mochi, so I often double or even triple it for gatherings. (People tend to be very impressed by these.)
A few notes before starting:
- Pumpkin purée – I just use the canned kind, but you can absolutely make your own from scratch.
- Sweetness – This recipe uses minimal sugar so the mochi are not too sweet. Feel free to add more to taste!
- Shaping – It’s okay if they turn out inconsistently shaped. These are fun! Plus, pumpkins all look a little funky anyway…
Pumpkin Mochi
These soft, chewy pumpkin mochi are the perfect not-too-sweet fall treat. They're surprisingly easy to make and only take 5 simple ingredients. Bring them to a potluck to impress your family and friends, or make a batch to celebrate Halloween or Thanksgiving.
Ingredients
Filling:
Instructions
Making the filling:
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Add the pumpkin purée (250g), butter, sugar, and salt to a nonstick pan. Set the heat to medium and stir with a spatula until combined.
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Keep stirring constantly until the purée reduces to a thick, paste-like consistency. This takes 25-30 minutes (a great opportunity to catch up on a show or book!).
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Once cooled, divide the filling into 8 equal pieces and roll each into a ball. Keep in the freezer until ready to use.
Making the mochi:
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In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining pumpkin purée (175g), glutinous rice flour, corn starch, and sugar. Stir with a spatula until a rough dough forms, then knead by hand until smooth.If you find that the dough is too sticky, knead in a little glutinous rice flour at a time until it no longer sticks to your hands.
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Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each into a ball.
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Flatten a dough ball into a circle, about 1-cm thick. Place a ball of filling in the center, then fold in the edges of the dough and pinch the seam closed. Roll the filled dough gently into a smooth ball.
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Use a toothpick or the back of a paring knife to press 8 evenly spaced lines around the ball, from top to bottom, to create the pumpkin shape. Press a goji berry (or raisin) into the center top. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
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Arrange the mochi in a lined steamer basket with just a little space between them.
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Set the basket over a pot of boiling water on medium-high heat, cover with a lid, and steam for 10 minutes.
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Turn off the heat and let the mochi rest for 2 minutes before uncovering.
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Serve warm or let cool before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
Serving Size 1 mochi
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 130kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 2g4%
- Total Carbohydrate 26g9%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 7g
- Protein 2g4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
This recipe uses 1 15-oz can of pumpkin purée total.
Instead of making the pumpkin filling, you can also use store-bought or homemade red bean paste!
