Coconut Sesame Butter Mochi Cake Food

MOCHI CAKE, ANY WAY YOU WANT IT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 9"-diameter cake pan or an 8x8" baking pan or 14 cups of two standard 12-cup muffin pans. (If you only have 1 muffin pan, you can bake the extra batter in a small loaf pan or mini muffin pan, or just discard it.) Generously coat pan with sugar, tapping out excess (about ¼ cup should do it).
• Place 1½ cups (300 g) sugar and 6 Tbsp. butter in a large bowl. If using coconut milk, heat in a small saucepan over medium, whisking constantly, until no clumps remain, then whisk into sugar mixture. If using half-and-half, whisk directly into sugar mixture. Add eggs, vanilla, and salt and whisk to combine.
• Whisk rice flour, powdered flavoring of choice (or 3 Tbsp. more rice flour), spice of choice, and baking powder in a medium bowl to combine, then whisk into egg mixture. Scrape batter into prepared pan and sprinkle with coconut or sesame seeds.
• Bake until top begins to crack and cake springs back when gently pressed, 55-65 minutes for cake and 45-55 minutes for cupcakes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cake cool in pan 10 minutes. Run a knife around perimeter of cake, place a plate over pan, and invert cake onto plate. Hold wire rack over cake and invert cake onto rack (simply turn cupcakes out onto rack and turn over). Let cool completely.
• Do ahead: Cake can be baked 5 days ahead. Store tightly wrapped at room temperature.

COCONUT-SESAME BUTTER MOCHI CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch-square cake pan or 10-1/2-by-7-inch cake pan with butter.
• Put the 4 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until melted. Meanwhile, whisk the coconut milk to remove any lumps. Add the coconut milk to the melted butter and reduce the heat to low. Gently warm the mixture, stirring often, until just above room temperature and no lumps remain.
• Whisk together the mochiko, sugar, baking powder and sea salt in a large bowl.
• Whisk together the eggs, evaporated milk and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Add the melted butter-coconut milk mixture, whisking continuously, until fully incorporated and smooth with no lumps.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and tap the pan on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. Evenly sprinkle the top with the coconut chips or flakes. Sprinkle with the black and white sesame seeds and finish with the fleur de sel.
• Bake the mochi until it is set and golden brown on top, 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes. You can bake the mochi longer for a firmer texture, or for less time for a gooier texture. If using a glass or dark metal pan, subtract a few minutes from your baking time.
• Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Coat a knife with butter and cut around the edges to help the cake separate from the pan and prevent the cake from sticking to the knife. Serve the cake directly from the pan.

BUTTER MOCHI

Steps:

• Make the mochi: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch cake pan, then line the bottom and sides with parchment paper.
• Whisk the mochiko, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Prepare the batter in a stand mixer or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer or whisk: Whisk the eggs and sugar until pale yellow and thick. Continue whisking while pouring in the coconut milk, then the butter and vanilla. Continue whisking while gradually adding the mochiko mixture. Whisk until the batter is completely smooth. Pour into the prepared pan, then tap it against the counter to get rid of any air bubbles.
• Bake until golden brown and crackly, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. When you press the center, it should bounce back but not indent at all. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Use the parchment paper to slide the cooled mochi out of the pan.
• The mochi is delicious plain, but you can add a glaze if you'd like: Mix the confectioners' sugar with 2 tablespoons passion fruit pulp until smooth. It should be thick but drippy. If needed, add another 1 to 2 tablespoons pulp. If you'd like to create an ombré or sunset effect, scrape some into another bowl or multiple bowls and tint with food coloring. Spread the glaze evenly over the mochi, in stripes if you'd like, and let stand until set.
• Cut the mochi into squares or bars. Serve immediately, or keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.