{"id":"recipe_6f061f7399","slug":"yakgwa-korean-honey-cookies","title":"Yakgwa (Korean Honey Cookies)","description":"A traditional Korean treat made with wheat flour, sesame oil, and ginger juice, deep-fried to a golden crisp and soaked in a sweet ginger-honey syrup. These cookies have a dense, melt-in-the-mouth texture.","serves":10,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":180,"activeMinutes":60},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"all-purpose","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"3 tbsp Sesame oil","name":"Sesame Oil","quantity":45,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1/2 cup Honey","name":"Honey","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"Used in dough and syrup","group":"Common","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"3 tbsp Rice wine (Soju)","name":"Rice wine","quantity":45,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"Soju can be used","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tbsp Ginger juice","name":"Ginger juice","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"freshly squeezed","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1/2 tsp Cinnamon powder","name":"Cinnamon","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1/4 tsp Salt","name":"Salt","quantity":1.5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 cup Water","name":"Water","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"Used for syrup","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 inch Ginger, sliced","name":"Ginger","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced","notes":"Fresh root","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"Vegetable oil for frying","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"quart","form":"","notes":"For deep frying","group":"Frying","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 tbsp Pine nuts","name":"Pine Nuts","quantity":10,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"For garnish","group":"Garnish","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Sift the flour, cinnamon, and salt into a large bowl. Add the sesame oil and rub it into the flour with your hands until the texture resembles fine crumbs.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"Sift the flour, cinnamon, and salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a separate small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of honey, rice wine (or soju), and ginger juice. Pour this mixture into the flour.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"Whisk together 3 tablespoons of honey, rice wine, and ginger juice","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Gently knead the dough until it just comes together. Do not over-knead. Roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness and cut into small rectangles or use a traditional flower mold.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"Gently knead the dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"To make the syrup, combine 1/2 cup of honey, water, and sliced ginger in a pot. Simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, then let it cool.","group":"Syrup Preparation","title":"To make the syrup","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Syrup Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Heat oil to 250°F (121°C). Fry the cookies in batches. They will sink at first; when they float to the top, increase the heat to 300°F (149°C) and fry until golden brown on both sides.","group":"Frying","title":"Heat oil to 250°F","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Frying"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Drain the cookies briefly and then submerge them in the cooled ginger syrup. Let them soak for at least 2 hours (ideally overnight).","group":"Finishing","title":"Drain the cookies briefly and then submerge them","timerMinutes":120,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Remove from syrup and garnish with pine nuts before serving.","group":"Finishing","title":"Remove from syrup and garnish","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Ensure you don't over-knead the dough; it should be just combined to maintain a layered, flaky texture. Soaking the cookies for at least 2-4 hours is essential for the syrup to reach the center.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Korean"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["Sieve","Rolling pin","Flower mold or cookie cutter","Deep fryer or heavy pot","Tongs"],"diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","egg_free"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":20,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes approximately 20 cookies"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Yakgwa is best made a day in advance to allow the syrup to penetrate fully."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer shelf life.","reheatingNotes":"Serve at room temperature."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_6f061f7399%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=41f5842d-dc98-4123-a342-f830e5420037","imageAlt":"Yakgwa (Korean Honey Cookies) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["traditional","honey","ginger","korean-dessert","fried","yakgwa"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Yakgwa (Korean Honey Cookies)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T19:46:36.968Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T19:46:36.968Z","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}]}