Snow skin mooncake with custard filling (冰皮月饼)

Step 1

Mix wheat starch (or cornstarch/tapioca starch), powdered sugar, melted butter and condensed milk until well combined. Add the eggs. Lightly beat until fully incorporated.

Step 2

Pour the mixture into a saucepan. Cook over low heat. Once the mixture starts to solidify at the bottom of the pan, stir and fold constantly with a flexible spatula.

Step 3

When the mixture becomes evenly solid, transfer it to a bowl. It should hold in shape but not too dry (please refer to the video below for the desired consistency).

Step 4

Lay a piece of cling film tightly over the cooked filling. Leave to cool completely then put into the fridge to firm up further.

Step 5

While waiting for the filling to cool, prepare the skin. Put glutinous rice flour, regular rice flour, wheat starch (or cornstarch/tapioca starch) and powdered sugar into a bowl. Pour in milk. Mix until smooth. Add condensed milk and oil. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Pour the mixture into a deep plate, then cover it with another plate. Cook it using one of these methods: [Option 1] In a microwave for 4 minutes on high power; [Option 2] In a steamer for 20 minutes over medium-high heat (see note 3).

Step 7

By then the mixture should have turned solid. Use a flexible spatula to scrape it off and transfer to another plate to speed up cooling (see note 4).

Step 8

When it’s cool enough to touch, combine and knead it in your hands until it becomes smooth (you’ll need to wear food-safe gloves to prevent sticking). Wrap it with cling film if not used immediately.

Step 9

Sprinkle matcha powder or purple sweet potato powder over the cooked dough. Knead to distribute the powder until the color becomes even. For the entire dough this recipe makes, you’d need about ½ teaspoon of powder.

Step 10

In a pan, toast glutinous rice flour over low heat for about 4 minutes. Transfer out to cool for later use.

Step 11

Take the filling out and knead in your hands briefly to make it smoother. Divide it into 8 equal pieces and roll each into a ball.

Step 12

Also, shape the skin into 8 equal balls. Flatten one piece into a round wrapper. Place a filling ball in the middle. Gently push the wrapper upwards to tightly cover the filling. Seal at the top.

Step 13

Roll the assembled ball in the toasted glutinous rice flour. Rub off any excess flour leaving just a very thin layer.

Step 14

Put the ball into a mooncake mold. Place the mold, with the opening facing down, onto a lightly dusted surface. Press the springy handle then lift up the mold. Push the handle again to release the mooncake (see note 5).

Step 15

In the fridge: Store them in air-tight containers in the fridge and consume within 72 hours.

Step 16

In the freezer: Lay them in a single layer to freeze. Once completely frozen, transfer them into air-tight containers/bags. Store in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Step 17

They’re best when consumed right after assembly. The skin will harden over time.

Step 18

To soften, you can [Option 1]: Lightly wet them and microwave them in a plate/bowl covered with cling film. Run on high power for 15 seconds. Check the softness and cook longer (10 seconds at a time) until softened. [Option 2]: Steam them for 2 minutes. Check the softness. Cook a little longer as needed.