Moon Cakes

By debjones

Moon cakes are traditionally made to celebrate the Chinese Moon Festival which takes place on the first full moon following the autumn equinox. They can be made with traditional wooden molds that can be purchased over the Internet or as small round balls.

Ingredients

• Filling:
• Dough: 3 boxes pre-made pie crust like Pilsbury
• 1/2 c. coconut flakes
• 1/4 c. walnuts
• 1/4 c. salted almonds
• 1/4 c. raisins
• 3/4 c. dried cranberries
• 4 oz. red bean paste (1/2 of a can)
• Glaze:
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp. water
• Sesame seeds(optional)

Details

Servings 18
Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 40mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Put filling ingredients into a food processor and mix for 2 minutes until nuts and fruit are finely chopped.
3. Remove dough from package and flatten out. Using a wide mouth cup or glass (about 3" in diameter), cut circles. Place circle into mold or keep flat on the table if you are not using a mold. Add 1 - 2 teaspoons of filling, depending on the size of the mold. Bend the edges toward the center to seal. If using a mold, press down firmly. Then whack the mold on the side of a counter to release the cake.
4. Place the cake on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. Continue until all dough is used.
5. Paint the egg mixture over each cake and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
6. Bake for 18 minutes.
7. Remove from cookie sheets and cool before serving.
8. Happy Moon Festival!