The filling for five-nut mooncakes is made by blending various flavors from multiple ingredients, with raw walnut and raw peanut as the base, complemented by raisins and roasted black sesame for added texture and aroma. Additionally, there is a clever fusion of glutinous rice flour, dried rose petals, milk powder, and dried osmanthus flowers. Each ingredient is carefully selected and processed to ensure the final product has a rich layering and unique flavor.
To start the preparation, first spread the raw walnuts and raw peanuts on a baking tray and place them in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for about 10 minutes. During this process, at the fifth minute of baking, add the dried rose petals and dried osmanthus flowers, baking them together for the remaining five minutes to allow the floral fragrance to permeate the nutty aroma.
Next, remove the baked walnuts and peanuts, and use a blender to crush them into a slightly granular state, which provides an extra crunch when tasted. Similarly, the rose petals and osmanthus flowers should also be crushed. For the roasted black sesame and raisins, they should be ground into powder or fine particles to ensure all ingredients can be mixed evenly.
Gather all the processed ingredients in one place and gradually add an appropriate amount of glutinous rice flour for mixing until the mixture can easily be formed into a ball without sticking to the hands. The amount of glutinous rice flour can be adjusted according to the actual situation, generally around 100 grams. Next, mix in the milk powder to enhance the smoothness of the filling, and sprinkle in the sugar-coated osmanthus flowers for a touch of sweetness. Finally, while stirring, add water in small amounts multiple times until all ingredients can come together into a soft, non-sticky filling ball.
Through this series of meticulous steps, the filling for five-nut mooncakes is ready, brimming with a multitude of flavors and aromas, awaiting to be encased in the pastry skin, creating a delightful feast for the taste buds during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
