Delicious Homemade Tong Yuen (Glutinous Rice Balls): A Traditional Chinese Dessert Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup glutinous rice flour
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1/4 cup rock sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 piece ginger, about 2 inches
  • 1 tablespoon sweet osmanthus flowers (optional)
  • 1/2 cup black sesame seeds
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup icing sugar

Steps and instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix the black sesame seeds, melted butter, and icing sugar to form the filling. Roll them into small balls and place in the freezer to firm up.
  2. In another bowl, gradually add warm water to the glutinous rice flour and knead until it forms a smooth dough.
  3. Divide the dough into small pieces, roll each piece into a ball, then flatten it. Place a sesame filling in the center of the dough, then close it up and roll into a ball shape.
  4. In a pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil, add ginger and rock sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
  5. Add the Tong Yuen into the boiling water. Cook until they float to the surface. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  6. Remove the Tong Yuen with a slotted spoon and place them into the ginger syrup. Add sweet osmanthus flowers if using, and let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
  7. Turn off the heat, let it cool down a bit and your Tong Yuen is ready to serve.

Tools for making

  • Bowl - For mixing the glutinous rice flour and water.
  • Pot - Used to boil water and cook the ginger syrup.
  • Slotted spoon - To remove the Tong Yuen from the boiling water.
  • Rolling pin - For flattening the dough and rolling the Tong Yuen.
  • Freezer - To chill the sesame filling balls.

Recipe variations

  • Use a different type of filling such as red bean paste, peanut butter, or chocolate ganache.
  • Add different flavors to the ginger syrup, such as pandan leaves, cinnamon sticks, or orange peel.
  • Try using different types of flour for the dough, like rice flour, tapioca flour, or even all-purpose flour.
  • Experiment with different crusts by coating the Tong Yuen in crushed nuts, coconut flakes, or sesame seeds before cooking.
  • Create a savory version by using a meat or vegetable filling, seasoned with spices and herbs.
  • Add a twist by incorporating fruits into the filling, such as diced mango, strawberries, or blueberries.
  • Make a vegan version by using plant-based butter or coconut oil in the filling, and substitute the honey or syrup for a vegan-friendly sweetener.
  • For a healthier option, use alternative sweeteners like stevia or date syrup instead of rock sugar.

Recipe overview

Tong Yuen (also known as Tang Yuan) is a traditional Chinese dessert typically served during the Lantern Festival or Winter Solstice Festival, but it's also popular as a sweet treat year-round. This dessert features small, chewy dumplings made from glutinous rice flour, filled with a sweet black sesame filling and served in a warm, sweet ginger syrup. Making Tong Yuen at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. This recipe will guide you through the process step-by-step, from preparing the sweet sesame filling, crafting the dumplings, to creating your own ginger syrup. The end result is a heartwarming dessert that wonderfully balances sweetness, nuttiness, and a slight spiciness from the ginger.

Common questions

  1. What is Tong Yuen? Tong Yuen is a Chinese dessert made of glutinous rice flour dough, filled with various sweet fillings, and cooked in a sweet ginger syrup.
  2. Can I use regular rice flour instead of glutinous rice flour? No, glutinous rice flour is essential for the chewy texture of Tong Yuen. Regular rice flour will not yield the same results.
  3. Can I make the filling ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the black sesame filling ahead of time and store it in the freezer until you are ready to use it.
  4. Can I use other fillings? Yes, you can experiment with different fillings such as red bean paste, peanut butter, or lotus seed paste.
  5. How do I know when the Tong Yuen are cooked? The Tong Yuen will float to the surface when they are cooked. Cook them for an additional 2-3 minutes after they float.
  6. Can I store leftovers? Yes, you can store any leftover Tong Yuen in the ginger syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat before serving.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Mixing Bowl - A bowl to mix the glutinous rice flour and water to make the dough.
  • Rolling Pin - Used to flatten the dough and wrap the filling.
  • Slotted Spoon - To remove the Tong Yuen from the boiling water and transfer them to the ginger syrup.
  • Pot - Used to boil water and cook the Tong Yuen.

Origin stories

Tong Yuen, also known as tangyuan, is a traditional Chinese dessert that is often enjoyed during the Lantern Festival, marking the end of Chinese New Year celebrations. This time-honored dish stems back to the Song Dynasty, where it was initially known as "floating yuanzi". Made from glutinous rice flour and water, these little dumplings can be sweet or savory, and are often filled with ingredients like black sesame, red bean, or peanut butter. The round shape of Tong Yuen is symbolic, representing reunion and completeness, making it a significant dish for family gatherings and festive celebrations. As families sit together to prepare these delights, conversations and laughter fill the air, reflecting the heart-warming essence of this culinary tradition.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.