{"id":"recipe_a17e25914b","slug":"sakuramochi-cherry-blossom-rice-cake","title":"Sakuramochi (Cherry Blossom Rice Cake)","description":"A beautiful and traditional Japanese sweet consisting of pink-colored sweet rice cake with a smooth red bean paste center, wrapped in an edible pickled cherry blossom leaf. This Kansai-style version uses cracked glutinous rice for a delightful texture.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":25},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"150g Domyojiko (cracked glutinous rice)","name":"Glutinous rice","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"3/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"cracked (Domyojiko)","notes":"Japanese sweet rice","group":"Mochi","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"200ml water","name":"Water","quantity":200,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"3/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Mochi","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"15g granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"granulated","notes":"","group":"Mochi","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"A drop of pink food coloring","name":"Food Coloring","quantity":0.5,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"drop","form":"liquid","notes":"pink or red to achieve a cherry blossom hue","group":"Mochi","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"150g Koshian (smooth red bean paste)","name":"Red bean paste","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":5.3,"usUnit":"oz","form":"smooth (Koshian)","notes":"can also use chunky Tsubuan","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"6 Pickled cherry blossom leaves","name":"Cherry","quantity":6,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":6,"usUnit":"piece","form":"pickled","notes":"salted","group":"Garnish","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Soak the pickled cherry blossom leaves in water for about 15 minutes to remove excess salt, then pat them dry with a paper towel.","group":"Preparation","title":"Soak the pickled cherry blossom leaves","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a heat-proof bowl, mix the water and a tiny drop of pink food coloring. Add the Domyojiko rice and stir gently.","group":"Cooking the Rice","title":"Mix the water and a tiny drop of pink food coloring","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking the Rice"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and microwave for 6 minutes (or steam over boiling water at 100°C (212°F) for 15-20 minutes).","group":"Cooking the Rice","title":"Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and microwave","timerMinutes":6,"sourceTitle":"Cooking the Rice"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Remove from heat, add the sugar, and stir. Let it sit covered for another 10 minutes to steam and absorb the remaining moisture.","group":"Cooking the Rice","title":"Remove from heat","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Cooking the Rice"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Divide the red bean paste into 6 small balls. Once the rice has cooled slightly, divide the rice into 6 equal portions.","group":"Assembly","title":"Divide the red bean paste","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Wet your hands to prevent sticking. Flatten a portion of rice in your palm, place a red bean ball in the center, and wrap the rice around it. Repeat for all pieces.","group":"Assembly","title":"Wet your hands to prevent sticking","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Wrap each mochi ball with a prepared cherry blossom leaf, vein side facing out.","group":"Assembly","title":"Wrap each mochi ball","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"}],"notes":"If you cannot find Domyojiko (cracked glutinous rice), you can pulse regular glutinous rice in a blender briefly. Ensure the cherry blossom leaves are soaked to remove excess salt.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["steam"],"equipment":["microwave or steamer","heat-proof bowl","plastic wrap"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","dairy_free","gluten_free","nut_free","egg_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":6,"unit":"pieces","note":"Standard sized rice cakes"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Best enjoyed fresh, but mochi can be made a few hours in advance and kept at room temperature."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Refrigeration can harden the rice.","reheatingNotes":"If it hardens, a very brief microwave burst (5-10 seconds) can soften it."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_a17e25914b%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=17bc86a7-6ef5-4977-91a0-226df9e426a6","imageAlt":"Sakuramochi (Cherry Blossom Rice Cake) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["mochi","wagashi","japanese sweet","cherry blossom","spring dessert","vegan dessert"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Sakuramochi (Cherry Blossom Rice Cake)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T19:41:15.077Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T19:41:15.077Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_ca9c87ad67","slug":"injeolmi-korean-rice-cakes","title":"Injeolmi (Korean Rice Cakes)","description":"A classic Korean dessert consisting of chewy, soft rice cakes made from glutinous rice flour and coated in nutty, toasted soybean powder.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Korean"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ca9c87ad67%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=385f6364-55ea-4845-ab94-8ac79d9d42d0","imageAlt":"Injeolmi (Korean Rice Cakes) — recipe cover","tags":["korean","rice cake","mochi","gluten free","vegan","chewy","soybean","traditional"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_ccccb482e4","slug":"kakigori-japanese-shaved-ice","title":"Kakigori (Japanese Shaved Ice)","description":"A light and airy traditional Japanese dessert made of finely shaved ice flavored with sweet syrups and topped with condensed milk or traditional ingredients like sweetened red beans.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ccccb482e4%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=9bded2bc-0f7d-4a29-a087-57febe37da7e","imageAlt":"Kakigori (Japanese Shaved Ice) — recipe cover","tags":["kakigori","shaved ice","japanese dessert","summer","refreshing","cold treat"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_fe47d48a74","slug":"patbingsu-korean-shaved-ice","title":"Patbingsu (Korean Shaved Ice)","description":"A classic Korean summer treat featuring snowy shaved ice topped with sweet red bean paste, chewy rice cakes, and creamy condensed milk.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Korean"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_fe47d48a74%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=26197653-fe28-4705-bcc9-a99fc3eeffb9","imageAlt":"Patbingsu (Korean Shaved Ice) — recipe cover","tags":["patbingsu","shaved ice","korean dessert","red bean","summer","refreshing","mochi"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4}]}