Home Food & Receipts The Ultimate Guide to Making Delicious and Aesthetically Pleasing Chinese Zodiac Mooncakes

Food & Receipts

The Ultimate Guide to Making Delicious and Aesthetically Pleasing Chinese Zodiac Mooncakes

15 September, 2024

Mooncakes with the zodiac signs

Prep time: 30 mins Cooking time: 60 mins Servings: 4-5

Mooncakes are a traditional delicacy loved by many, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival. They come in various shapes and flavors, and today we’ll be making a unique and adorable set of mooncakes featuring the 12 zodiac animals.

1. Ingredients for 12 Zodiac Mooncakes

160g all-purpose flour
15g cornstarch
30g baking soda
2g baking powder
100g sugar
5g salt
100ml syrup (for baked mooncakes)
2ml red bean oil
27ml vegetable oil
Spices: cinnamon, five-spice powder

Pro Tips:

– When choosing green beans, opt for bright yellow ones that are dry and show no signs of mold.

– You can purchase these ingredients from our store or any specialty baking supply shop.

– For food safety, it’s best to make your own syrup at home by following this recipe.

Ingredients for 12 Zodiac Mooncakes

2. Steps to Make 12 Zodiac Mooncakes

Step 1 Prepare the Green Beans

Rinse 100g of green beans and soak them in water for 5-6 hours. This step is crucial for softening the beans and ensuring a smooth filling.

Soaking and preparing green beans

Step 2 Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, combine 160g of flour, 2g of baking soda, 100ml of syrup, 25ml of vegetable oil, and 2ml of red bean oil. Mix well using a stand mixer or by hand until you have a soft, smooth dough that doesn’t stick to your hands.

Mixing the dough

Step 3 Make the Green Bean Filling

After soaking the green beans, drain them and cook in a pot with 1 liter of water over medium heat for 20-25 minutes until tender. Transfer the cooked beans to a blender and purée until smooth. In a non-stick pan, combine the bean purée with 60g of sugar and ½ teaspoon of salt. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves. Add 2ml of vegetable oil and mix well. Finally, add 15g of cornstarch and 60ml of water, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and becomes a smooth, non-sticky paste.

Making the green bean filling

Step 4 Shape the Dough and Filling

To shape the dough, take about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball. Coat the ball with cocoa powder and knead until the powder is fully incorporated. Repeat this process to make 12 dough balls. Divide the green bean filling into 12 equal portions and flatten each dough ball. Place a portion of the filling in the center, gather the edges, and roll into a smooth ball. Set aside the remaining dough for decorating the mooncakes.

Shaping the dough and filling

Step 5 Create Zodiac Shapes

For the rat mooncake, shape the dough into a pointed cone for the body. Use the remaining dough to create ears and a tail, and use two black beans for eyes.

For the tiger mooncake, form the dough into a cylindrical shape for the body. Create the ears, mouth, and tail with the dough, and use two black beans for eyes. Mix some of the remaining dough with cocoa powder to create brown stripes for the tiger.

For the ox mooncake, shape the dough into a sphere and flatten the bottom slightly to create a stable base. Flatten a small piece of dough for the ears and create a brown nose and horns by mixing the dough with cocoa powder. Use a knife to make slight indentations on the horns to resemble an ox’s horns.

Continue using your creativity and the remaining dough to shape the rest of the zodiac animals.

Creating zodiac shapes

Step 6 Bake the Mooncakes

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes. Place the shaped mooncakes in the oven and bake at 200°C for 20 minutes. Remove them from the oven, spray with water, and let them cool for 5 minutes. In a small bowl, mix an egg yolk with a tablespoon of water and brush this mixture over the mooncakes. Return them to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes at 200°C.

Baking the mooncakes

3. Final Product

Your adorable and delicious 12 zodiac mooncakes are now ready to be enjoyed! These mooncakes have a soft, chewy texture and a sweet green bean filling. They are not only tasty but also make for a charming presentation.

Final product - 12 Zodiac Mooncakes 12 Zodiac Mooncakes

We hope you enjoyed this recipe for creating your own 12 zodiac mooncakes at home. Don’t forget to share your delicious creations with us!

Frequently asked questions

The Chinese Zodiac is a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal. The Zodiac is an integral part of Chinese culture and is often used for fortune-telling and predicting personality traits. Each animal has its own set of characteristics and elements, which are believed to influence the year’s events and the people born in that year. The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated with Mooncakes, is a time when the Zodiac is especially prominent, as the cakes are often decorated with the Zodiac signs.

To make delicious and visually appealing Mooncakes that embody the Chinese Zodiac, start by choosing a recipe that suits your taste preferences and skill level. You can find traditional recipes online or in cookbooks. Prepare the dough and filling according to the recipe, and then shape the dough into the desired Zodiac animal shapes. You can use molds or hand-sculpt the shapes. For decoration, use food coloring to create the details of the Zodiac signs, and consider adding edible gold or silver accents for a luxurious touch.

Creating intricate designs on Mooncakes can be achieved through careful planning and the right tools. First, decide on the design you want to create for each Zodiac sign. You can find inspiration online or create your own unique interpretations. Use food coloring gels or pastes to achieve vibrant and precise colors. Invest in a set of small paintbrushes to carefully paint the details onto the Mooncakes. You can also use toothpicks or wooden skewers for creating finer lines and dots.

To ensure consistent and delicious flavor in your Mooncakes, use high-quality ingredients and follow the recipe precisely. Measure your ingredients carefully, and taste the filling as you prepare it to adjust the sweetness or flavor intensity to your liking. You can also add secret ingredients or unique flavor combinations to make your Mooncakes stand out. For example, you might add a hint of orange zest or a splash of floral liqueur to enhance the flavor profile.

There are numerous creative ways to package and present your Zodiac Mooncakes as gifts. Consider using elegant boxes with a clear window to display the beautiful designs. You can decorate the boxes with ribbons or cords in the colors of the Chinese Zodiac. Include a personalized note or card explaining the significance of the Zodiac sign and the ingredients used in the Mooncakes. You could also create a custom stamp or seal with your Zodiac sign to impress upon the dough, adding a unique and artistic touch to your creations.