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    Home » Recipes » Sweets

    "Dorayaki" Japanese Red Bean Pancake (どら焼き)

    Published: Nov 22, 2020 · Modified: Sep 9, 2021 by Yuto Omura

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    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!

    dorayaki side view

    Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Sudachi Recipes earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See disclaimer for more info.

    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!

    dorayaki and green tea overhead view

    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 featured image

    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!

    dorayaki cut in half close up

    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!

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    dorayaki cut in half close up

    "Dorayaki" Japanese Red Bean Pancake (どら焼き)


    • Author: Yuto Omura
    • Total Time: 50 minutes
    • Yield: 6 Dorayaki 1x
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    Description

    How to make Japanese Red Bean Pancake "Dorayaki". (makes 6-8)


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 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

    1. In a bowl, add 2 eggs, 80 sugar, and 1 tbsp honey.
      Making dorayaki: adding eggs, sugar and honey to a bowl
    2. Whisk until the eggs are a little fluffy.
      Making dorayaki: eggs, sugar and honey whisked until fluffy
    3. Sift 120g of flour and ½ tsp of baking soda into the egg mixture and whisk.
      Making dorayaki: sifting flour into the mixture and adding baking soda
    4. Add 50ml Water (3 tbsp and 1 tsp) and mix again.
      Making dorayaki: adding water to the pancake mixture
    5. Transfer the mixture into a jug or bottle and store in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
      Making dorayaki: transferring the mixture to a jug and refrigerating

    Frying

    1. 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.
      Making dorayaki: heating the pan
    2. 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.
      Making dorayaki: wiping excess oil with a paper towel
    3. 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.
      Making dorayaki: pouring the batter into the pan
    4. 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).
    5. Cook for about 1 ½ to 2 minutes or until you see bubbles forming on the top.
      Making dorayaki: bubbles forming on the top of the pancake
    6. 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!)
      Making dorayaki: flipping the pancake
    7. Once flipped, cook on the other side for about 1 minute and remove from the pan.
      Making dorayaki: cooking the other side for 1 minute
    8. Repeat until you have 12 pancakes.
      Making dorayaki: cooked pancakes on a white plate

    Assembly

    1. 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.
      Making dorayaki: spreading red bean paste onto one pancake
    2. Place a plain pancake on top of each one that has red bean paste. Lightly press around the edges to close the dorayaki.
      Making dorayaki: pressing a second pancake on top of the red bean paste
    3. Enjoy straight away or wrap in cling film and store in the refrigerator. Best eaten within 2 days.
      Making dorayaki: wrapping the dorayaki in cling film for later
    4. Enjoy!
      dorayaki cut in half close up

    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

    Keywords: How to make dorayaki, Japanese Dorayaki recipe, what is dorayaki, dorayaki recipe, dorayaki doraemon, what is dorayaki, red bean cake, Japanese sweets, castella pancake, Japanese pancake,Japanese pancake,dora yaki,Japanese desserts, japanese snacks

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    Thanks for visiting Sudachi Recipes. My name is Yuto and I'm a Japanese guy with a passion for food. Here I share tasty and accessible recipes so that you can bring a taste of Japan to your own kitchen.

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