Black Sesame Tangyuan (Glutinous Rice Balls with Sesame Paste Filling)
Black sesame tangyuan are Chinese glutinous rice dumplings filled with a sweet, roasted sesame paste. The filling is made by combining ground black sesame with sugar and butter until it forms a dense, jet-black paste, which is then wrapped in a smooth ball of glutinous rice flour dough. When dropped into boiling water, the dumplings float to the surface as they cook through. Biting into one releases the molten sesame filling, which flows out from within the chewy, elastic skin in a rich, nutty stream. They are traditionally served in a light ginger syrup, where the warm spiciness of the ginger plays against the deep sesame richness. The textural contrast between the springy outer shell and the flowing interior makes each piece both satisfying and indulgent.
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Instructions
- 1
Mix sesame, sugar, and melted butter for filling, then chill.
- 2
Combine flour and warm water to make a soft dough.
- 3
Flatten dough pieces, add filling, and seal into balls.
- 4
Boil until dumplings float, then remove.
- 5
Simmer ginger syrup and serve warm with tangyuan.
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