The process of making black sesame mooncakes is both traditional and full of fun. First, mix the inverted syrup, water, and peanut oil together, stirring thoroughly until they blend into a smooth mixture. The dough should feel soft and not overly dry. Next, gradually add black rice flour and all-purpose flour to the dough through a sieve, ensuring there are no lumps and all ingredients combine evenly to form a soft and elastic dough. Then, cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it sit for about an hour to allow the flavors of the various ingredients to fully meld.
While waiting for the dough to rest, you can start preparing the filling. Place the black sesame seeds in a pan and patiently stir-fry until a fragrant aroma wafts out and they take on an enticing brown color. Then, add the similarly roasted peanuts and gradually mix in an appropriate amount of water according to personal taste, thoroughly stirring to ensure both components are tightly combined while retaining a certain graininess for texture. During this process, the natural oils released by the black sesame and peanuts are sufficient, so there’s no need to add extra oil. With the incorporation of granulated sugar, the filling gradually becomes sticky and easy to form into balls, both loose and easily moldable.
Once the dough and filling are ready, you can proceed to the shaping stage. Divide the dough into small portions of about 30 grams each, and shape the filling into 45-gram balls. Although the wrapping process may require some skill, there’s no need to overly pursue visual perfection; the important thing is to enjoy the fun of making it yourself. Gently press with a lion’s dance mold, revealing mooncakes in various shapes that carry auspicious meanings.
To achieve an enticing sheen on the mooncakes’ surface, lightly brush on a thin layer of egg wash, then place them into a preheated oven. After initially baking for about 2 minutes, carefully cover the mooncakes with a layer of aluminum foil to prevent uneven coloring. As time passes, the charming aroma of freshly baked mooncakes gradually fills the room. When the mooncakes come out of the oven, the golden-yellow crust envelops the sweet black sesame peanut filling, not only appealing in color but also offering a full sense of happiness in every bite.
Finally, share this sweetness made with your own hands with family and friends. The moment you cut the mooncake is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a transmission of emotions and culture.
