Coconut Rose Mochi (Chi Chi Dango)

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Step 2

Grease a 9x13" pan REALLY WELL. REALLY REALLY WELL. Mochi will stick to any ungreased spots.

Step 3

Mix mochiko, sugar, coconut milk, and water. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl as mochiko can clump and fall to the bottom.

Step 4

Split the batter in half. Add coconut extract to one half.

Step 5

Pour coconut batter into pan and bake for 10-15 minutes or until just set.

Step 6

Meanwhile, add rose water and food coloring to the other half.

Step 7

When coconut batter is just set, pour rose batter on top.

Step 8

Cover pan TIGHTLY with aluminum foil. If too much steam escapes during baking the mochi will dry out. Bake for one hour. The edges of the mochi may be a little dried out but the center should be moist and squishy.

Step 9

Remove foil and let cool completely.

Step 10

Turn mochi out onto a board dusted with potato starch. Trim off the ends with a pizza cutter. You can discard these if they are too dried out to eat.

Step 11

Cut the remaining mochi into strips and then rectangles. I made mine about .5 x 1 inch long, but you can make them as big or small as you like. Mochi is typically easier to eat in small bites because of how dense and chewy it is.

Step 12

Toss in potato starch as needed to keep from sticking. Keep mochi in an airtight container at room temperature.