Dorayaki is a golden honey flavoured pancake held together with a thick layer of sweet red bean paste. This iconic treat is loved by children and adults alike. With just a handful of easily accessible ingredients, you can make this popular Japanese sweet snack at home!
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Dorayaki
What is Dorayaki?
Dorayaki is a delicious sweet snack made up of two honey castella pancakes held together with a thick helping of anko (red bean paste).
Dora (どら) means "gong" and yaki (焼き) means fry. I guess the gong part comes from it's round shape and smooth golden surface.
This classic Japanese sweet is loved by children and adults alike!
This recipe is pretty simple and uses basic pantry items that you most probably already have in your cupboard (except the red bean paste, but that's optional really).
It's also based on my mum's recipe (thanks mum!), so you can enjoy this delicious dorayaki that has been enjoyed by my family for many years!
Doraemon
Anyone who knows about Japanese pop culture has probably seen (or heard of) Doraemon.
Doraemon is a popular anime and manga character in Japan. He's a blue robot cat that absolutely loves dorayaki. In fact, he'll pretty much fall for any trap or trick if there's a chance of getting his paws on some dorayaki. I'd say he has pretty good taste!
Doraemon is one of the most loved characters in Japan, and he's addicted to one of the most loved snacks!
Dorayaki Fillings
Dorayaki is traditionally filled with red bean paste made from adzuki beans, also known as anko. There are two types of anko and either can be used according to your preference.
Tsubuan is a chunky red bean paste with whole beans and skins still intact. It has a great texture and you can find it on Amazon here.
Koshian is a smooth red bean paste with no bits. I used koshian when I made the dorayaki pictured above, but that's only because I had it leftover after making Ichigo Daifuku. You can buy koshian smooth red bean paste on Amazon here.
Dorayaki can also be enjoyed with other fillings too! Here are a few ideas:
- Custard Cream
- Matcha Cream
- Chestnut Filling
- Nutella Chocolate Spread
- Cream Cheese
These are just a few ideas, but anything thick and pasty would be a great filling for dorayaki! Make it your own!
This recipe makes 6 complete dorayaki (12 pancakes in total). I hope you enjoy my family's classic dorayaki recipe!
Watch our video, How to make Dorayaki step by step!
"Dorayaki" Japanese Red Bean Pancake (どら焼き)
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 Dorayaki 1x
Description
How to make Japanese Red Bean Pancake "Dorayaki". (makes 6-8)
Ingredients
- 2 Eggs
- 80g Sugar
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 50ml Water (3 tbsp 1 tsp)
- 120g Weak flour
- ½ tsp Baking soda
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola, a flavourless oil is best)
- 300g Red bean paste (about 2 tbsp per pancake)
Instructions
Batter
- In a bowl, add 2 eggs, 80 sugar, and 1 tbsp honey.
- Whisk until the eggs are a little fluffy.
- Sift 120g of flour and ½ tsp of baking soda into the egg mixture and whisk.
- Add 50ml Water (3 tbsp and 1 tsp) and mix again.
- Transfer the mixture into a jug or bottle and store in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Frying
- Start heating the pan on the lowest heat for about 10 minutes before you want to make the dorayaki. This will make the heat even on the pan.
- Add a tiny bit of oil to the pan and then using a paper towel, spread it all over the pan and remove any excess. This will give the dorayaki a clean smooth surface without any spots.
- Take the jug from the refrigerator and pour the batter in. When pouring, pour the batter in one spot and allow it to spread out, the size should be about 8cm (about 3 inches) in diameter.
- Cook however many will fit but make sure there's space in between them, you don't want them to stick together. I recommend about 3 at a time, so it will be about 4 batches. (add oil and remove excess with a paper towel when necessary).
- Cook for about 1 ½ to 2 minutes or until you see bubbles forming on the top.
- Using a spatula, carefully flip each pancake. (If you're not confident in your flipping skills, try using two spatulas, one on each side so that they keep their shape!)
- Once flipped, cook on the other side for about 1 minute and remove from the pan.
- Repeat until you have 12 pancakes.
Assembly
- Add 2 tbsp of red bean paste to 6 of the pancakes. Try and spread it so that it's thicker in the middle, this will help make the dorayaki's shape.
- Place a plain pancake on top of each one that has red bean paste. Lightly press around the edges to close the dorayaki.
- Enjoy straight away or wrap in cling film and store in the refrigerator. Best eaten within 2 days.
- Enjoy!
Notes
This recipe works well with either tsubuan (chunky red bean paste) or koshian (smooth red bean paste). Make it according to your preference!
Dorayaki is also delicious with other fillings such as custard, cream, chestnuts etc.
If you like more filling of course you can add more.
- Prep Time: 35 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Sweets
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
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