This Custard Mochi (Daifuku) is a soft, chewy Japanese-style dessert filled with a smooth, creamy vanilla custard. With its delicate texture and lightly sweet flavor, this homemade daifuku is a beautiful treat that feels special yet approachable to make at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and chewy mochi with a creamy custard center
- Lightly sweet and perfectly balanced
- No baking required
- Fun hands-on dessert project
- Naturally vegetarian and halal-friendly
Custard Mochi (Daifuku)
Soft chewy mochi dough
Ingredients
Custard Filling
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Dash of salt
Mochi Dough
- 1 cup Mochiko sweet rice flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Dash of salt
- 3/4 cup water
- Yellow food coloring optional
- Potato starch or cornstarch for dusting
Instructions
Make the Custard
- Add milk to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until just boiling.
- Lower heat and slowly whisk in flour, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Cook on low heat, whisking constantly, until thick and bubbling (5–10 minutes).
- Strain custard through a mesh sieve to remove any lumps and let cool.
- Transfer custard to a piping bag and pipe 8 small dollops onto a lined tray. Freeze for 1 hour.
Make the Mochi
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine sweet rice flour, sugar, salt, water, and a few drops of food coloring. Cover loosely with plastic wrap.
- Microwave for 1 minute, uncover and stir.
- Continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until mochi becomes translucent and sticky (3–4 minutes total).
- Let cool slightly until safe to handle.
Assemble
- Dust a work surface generously with potato starch. Turn mochi out and dust the top.
- Shape into a 1/2-inch thick disk and divide into 8 equal pieces.
- Dust hands with starch, roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into a disk.
- Place one frozen custard dollop in the center and gently pinch mochi closed around the filling.
Notes
Store mochi lightly dusted to prevent sticking
Ingredients
Custard Filling
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Dash of salt
Mochi Dough
- 1 cup Mochiko sweet rice flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Dash of salt
- 3/4 cup water
- Yellow food coloring (optional)
- Potato starch or cornstarch, for dusting
Instructions
Make the Custard
- Add milk to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until just boiling.
- Lower heat and slowly whisk in flour, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Cook on low heat, whisking constantly, until thick and bubbling (5–10 minutes).
- Strain custard through a mesh sieve to remove any lumps and let cool.
- Transfer custard to a piping bag and pipe 8 small dollops onto a lined tray. Freeze for 1 hour.
Make the Mochi
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine sweet rice flour, sugar, salt, water, and a few drops of food coloring. Cover loosely with plastic wrap.
- Microwave for 1 minute, uncover and stir.
- Continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until mochi becomes translucent and sticky (3–4 minutes total).
- Let cool slightly until safe to handle.
Assemble
- Dust a work surface generously with potato starch. Turn mochi out and dust the top.
- Shape into a 1/2-inch thick disk and divide into 8 equal pieces.
- Dust hands with starch, roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into a disk.
- Place one frozen custard dollop in the center and gently pinch mochi closed around the filling.
Tips & Tricks
- Freeze custard fully so it’s easier to wrap
- Keep hands well-dusted to prevent sticking
- Work quickly while mochi is still warm and pliable
- Avoid overfilling to prevent tearing
Details
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Freeze Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 mochi
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Microwave + Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Dietary Notes: Vegetarian, halal-friendly
Notes
- Store mochi lightly dusted to prevent sticking
- Food coloring is optional and purely decorative
- Can be filled with chocolate or fruit custard variations
Nutrition (Approximate per mochi)
- Calories: 165
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fat: 4g
FAQ
What is daifuku?
Daifuku is a Japanese mochi dessert traditionally filled with sweet fillings.
Can I make custard mochi ahead of time?
Yes, but it’s best enjoyed within 24 hours.
Why is my mochi tearing?
It may be too thin or overfilled. Keep the center thicker.
Can I steam the mochi instead of microwaving?
Yes, steam for about 15 minutes, stirring halfway.
Storage
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day
- Refrigeration will firm up the mochi
- Not freezer-friendly once assembled
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Conclusion
This Custard Mochi (Daifuku) combines soft, chewy mochi with silky vanilla custard for a delicate dessert that’s both fun to make and a joy to eat. Perfect for special occasions or when you want to try something a little different at home.