Moon Cakes
Ingredients :
· 4 c. all-purpose flour
· 1 tbsp. baking powder
· 1/2 tsp. salt
· 3 eggs
· 3/4 c. sugar
· 3/4 c. unsalted butter or margarine, melted
· 2 tbsp. water
· 1.5 c. sweet red bean paste
· 1 egg or egg white, lightly beaten
How To Make :
· Preheat oven to 375ºF.
· Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.
· In a second bowl, beat 3 eggs and sugar until they thicken, about 10 minutes.
· Add melted butter, water, and the flour mixture to eggs and sugar. Stir until the mixture becomes doughlike.
· Using your hands, shape dough into a long rope about 1ø inches thick. Cut into about 20 equal pieces.
· Flatten each piece of dough into a circle about 3 inches across.
· Place about one teaspoonful of bean paste in the center of the circle and fold the edges of the dough toward the center. Pinch the edges together firmly to seal. (It may help to dampen your fingers with a little bit of water.)
· Gently roll each cake into a ball and flatten slightly. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling. Use a cookie cutter to lightly press a design into the top of each cake, or draw a design with a fork tine or toothpick.
· Place cakes one inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Lightly glaze the top of each cake with beaten egg. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and allow to cool. Serve at room temperature.
Preparation time: 45 to 60 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes Makes about 20 Cakes