Red Bean Paste Filled Flaky Matcha Mooncakes

Flaky mooncakes are a type of Chinese pastry known for their delicate, multi-layered crust that crumbles beautifully when bitten into. The flaky texture is achieved by incorporating lard or shortening into the dough (or oil as in my version), creating thin, crisp layers. These mooncakes are often filled with sweet or savory ingredients, such as red bean paste, lotus seed paste, or minced meat. The contrast between the light, crisp pastry and the rich, flavorful fillings makes flaky mooncakes a beloved treat during the Mid-Autumn Festival and other festive occasions.

I personally prefer Hong Kong Style Mooncakes, which I have also prepared before with a non-traditional filling—cheesecake. You can find the recipe here [LINK].

Ingredients (15 mooncakes)

Water Dough:

- 85g all-purpose flour 

- 10g icing sugar

- 30g cooking oil

- 35g water 

- Pinch of salt

Oil Dough:

- 90g all-purpose flour

- 40g cooking oil 

- 3g matcha powder 

Filling:

- 225g sweet red bean paste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Filling:

- Portion red bean paste into 15 equal parts and roll into balls.

2. Make the Water Dough:

- Place all ingredients for the water dough in a mixing bowl, except for the water.

- Start with half the amount of water first. Gradually add more as needed to knead into a soft, non-sticky dough.

- Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.

3. Make the Oil Dough:

- Mix the oil and flour in a small mixing bowl and knead into a smooth, non-sticky dough.

- Cover and set aside for 30 minutes.

4. Rolling and Wrapping:

- Flatten the water dough into a disc.

- Place the oil dough ball in the middle and wrap the water dough around it.

- Cover and let it rest for 15 minutes.

- Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a rectangle, about 30 x 40 cm.

- Fold 1/3 from the left, then another 1/3 from the right, keeping the edges as rectangular as possible.

- Roll it out again into a rectangle, about 30 x 40 cm.

- Roll it up tightly from the side near you into a Swiss roll.

- Divide the dough into equal pieces. Cover tightly with cling wrap and let it rest for another 30 minutes.

5. Shaping:

- Take one piece of dough, flatten it in the middle, and gather the two sides up to meet. Flatten with your palm.

- Use a rolling pin to roll it out into a disc, slightly thicker in the middle.

- Place a ball of red bean paste in the middle.

- Wrap the dough around the filling, pinch to seal, and place seam side down. 

- Repeat with the remaining dough and filling. 

- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

6. Baking:

- Bake in the preheated oven at 190 degrees Celsius for 25 minutes.

- Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a rack.