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The dessert, From around the world

Dorayaki

Dorayaki are small thick Japanese pancakes filled with sweet red bean paste, served as a dessert for 6 people, two per guest. They take 35 minutes of active work and are made entirely in the morning for the same day, with the filling added just before guests arrive. This is an easy recipe, under €1.40 per person, and the trick to success is cooking the pancakes over very low heat so they stay pale and soft.

For dessert, dorayaki, those little thick Japanese pancakes filled with sweet red bean paste.

Dorayaki
For
6 people
Work
35 min
Total time
1 h
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.40
Calories per person
380 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Dorayaki surprise you with their contrast, a thick, soft, almost spongy pancake wrapped around a sweet, slightly earthy red bean filling. The honey in the batter gives it that light caramel note and golden color that make this Japanese dessert so distinctive, nothing like a regular pancake, yet easy enough for a home kitchen.

It's a dessert that changes things up from the usual cake for a themed dinner party or a family meal when you want a little trip abroad without tackling a technical recipe. Kids love it too, thanks to the soft texture and mild sweetness, and it fits nicely after an Asian-inspired meal or simply as an original sweet treat.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 3 steps, 55 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 10 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

In the morning, make the batter, let it rest, then cook all 24 pancakes and set them aside under a clean kitchen towel. Just before your guests arrive, fill the dorayaki with red bean paste and close the pancakes in pairs. At serving time, arrange them on a plate, two per person, keeping them wrapped in plastic until then so they stay soft.

The ingredients

6 people

Dairy

  • Eggs 4
  • Milk 8 cl

Pantry

  • Sugaroften in the pantry 100 g
  • Honeyoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Flouroften in the pantry 200 g
  • Baking powderoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Red bean paste (anko) 400 g
  • Neutral oiloften in the pantry 1 tbsp

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Whisk the eggs with the sugar and honey until the mixture turns pale, then add the milk. 5 min

    Liquid honey gives a golden color and that light caramel flavor typical of dorayaki.

  2. Fold in the sifted flour and baking powder, mix without overworking the batter, then let it rest. 30 min

    This resting time relaxes the batter, so the pancakes puff up nicely without bubbles.

  3. Lightly oil a pan over low heat, pour in a small ladle of batter and cook until small bubbles appear, flip and cook a few more seconds. Make 24 pancakes in total. 20 min

    Wipe the pan with an oiled paper towel between pancakes so they all keep the same color.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Let the pancakes cool under a clean kitchen towel, then spread a generous spoonful of red bean paste on half of them before closing with the others. 10 min

    Without anko, a thick pastry cream, dulce de leche, or chocolate hazelnut spread all work well instead.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Arrange the dorayaki on a plate, two per person.

    Keep them wrapped in plastic while they wait, they'll stay nice and soft.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use the same size ladle for every pancake, dorayaki pair up better two by two when they match in size.
  • If the batter spreads too much in the pan, it's too thin, stir in a spoonful of flour before cooking the rest.
  • Don't spread the filling all the way to the edge, leave a small border so the red bean paste doesn't squeeze out when you close the pancakes.

The variations

  • Swap the red bean paste for sweetened white bean paste or chestnut cream for a milder filling.
  • For kids, fill with chocolate hazelnut spread or dulce de leche, the result still feels like a familiar treat.
  • For a quicker version, make just 12 larger pancakes with the same batter, which cuts down the cooking time.

What to serve it with

  • Unsweetened Japanese green tea
  • A scoop of matcha ice cream
  • Fresh fruit like mandarin or persimmon

Storage

Filled dorayaki keep for two days in the refrigerator in an airtight container, best taken out a little before serving so they're not too cold. The plain pancakes, without filling, freeze well and can be filled once thawed.

Questions about this recipe

Where can I find red bean paste?

Anko is sold at Asian grocery stores, usually in the sweets section, ready to use in a jar or pouch. You'll find both a smooth version and one with whole bean pieces, either works for this recipe.

Can I make dorayaki without honey?

Yes, you can replace the honey with the same amount of maple syrup or extra sugar. The color will be slightly less golden and the flavor a touch less caramelized, but the texture stays the same.

How do I know when to flip the pancake?

Small bubbles appear on the surface of the batter and the edges start to look slightly dry. That's your cue to flip, the second side only needs a few seconds.

Can I make more dorayaki for a bigger group?

Yes, the recipe doubles easily, just keep the same ratios for the batter and filling. Plan for a bit more cooking time since the pancakes are made one at a time in the pan.

Can some dorayaki be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 35 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 3 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make some dorayaki?

Allow 1 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 35 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in some dorayaki?

About 380 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does some dorayaki cost?

About €1.40 per person, that's €8.40 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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