Manju (Japanese Sweet Bean Paste Cookies)

Manju (Japanese Sweet Bean Paste Cookies)
  • PREP TIME
    45 mins
  • COOK TIME
    15 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    1 hrs
  • SERVING
    50 People
  • VIEWS
    12

Delicate, melt-in-your-mouth Manju cookies, enfolding a luscious heart of sweet red bean paste. This recipe simplifies the process by using readily available canned koshi an, allowing you to enjoy this traditional treat with ease.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    23 g
  • Cholesterol
    25 mg
  • Fiber
    1 g
  • Protein
    2 g
  • Saturated Fat
    3 g
  • Sodium
    114 mg
  • Sugar
    8 g
  • Fat
    4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step
5 mins

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). (Prep time: 5 minutes). Grease two baking sheets or line with parchment paper.

02

Step
5 mins

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the sugar and softened butter until light and fluffy. (Mixing time: 3-5 minutes). Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, until well combined.

03

Step
2 mins

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. (Prep time: 2 minutes). Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a smooth dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.

04

Step
25 mins

Lightly flour your hands. Take a small portion of dough (about the size of a walnut) and flatten it into a 4-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Ensure the center is slightly thicker than the edges. (Prep time: 20-25 minutes).

05

Step
2 mins

Place about 1 1/2 teaspoons of koshi an in the center of each dough circle. Gently gather the edges of the dough together and pinch to seal completely, encasing the filling. Place the formed manju, pinched-side down, on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

06

Step
18 mins

Brush the tops of the manju with evaporated milk to promote browning. (Prep time: 2 minutes).

07

Step

Bake in the preheated oven until the tops are lightly golden brown. (Bake time: 15-18 minutes). Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

For a richer flavor, use browned butter in place of regular softened butter.
If the dough is too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it becomes manageable.
You can use other fillings, such as white bean paste or chocolate, for a creative twist.
Store cooled manju in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Janiya Padberg

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.5/ 5 ( 4 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (4)
  • Dusty Roob

    Great recipe! A tip from my side: you can adjust the sweetness according to your preferences.

  • Keara Gutkowski

    I tried it with Nutella filling, and it was a huge hit! Thanks for the inspiration.

  • Lenore Jacobs

    The recipe was clear and straightforward. My family loved them!

  • Dudley Adams

    These were surprisingly easy to make and tasted just like the ones I get at the Japanese bakery!

LEAVE A REVIEW

Please Rate