Delicious Sesame Glutinous Rice Dumplings for Festive Occasions

This recipe is inspired by my love for traditional festival foods. Growing up, my family would prepare these dumplings during special occasions, and making them brings back those warm memories of cooking together and celebrating. I want to share this joy and tradition with you, hoping it brings a little bit of festive spirit into your kitchen no matter the season.

These dumplings are small, round treats made from glutinous rice flour, which is a type of sticky rice flour. They are rolled in sesame seeds and then cooked until they’re nicely toasted and golden. Inside, they’re often filled with a sweet paste, usually made from red beans or black sesame. When you bite into one, you get a lovely mix of crunchy and soft textures.

Sesame Glutinous Rice Dumplings are not just delicious; they are also part of tradition in many places, especially during certain festivals like the Lantern Festival. People make and share these dumplings as a symbol of happiness and togetherness.

Making these dumplings might seem tricky at first, but it’s actually a lot of fun. You’ll get to mix the dough, shape the dumplings, prepare the filling, and roll them in sesame seeds. It’s like being an artist in your kitchen!

Chef’s Notes – Sesame Glutinous Rice Dumplings

Ingredient Prep: Toast black sesame seeds until they start to pop for the fullest flavor. Ensure they cool completely before grinding to prevent the oil from turning the sesame paste bitter.
Dough Consistency: The texture of the dough is key. If it feels too dry and crumbles, add a teaspoon of water at a time until pliable. If it’s sticky, gradually incorporate more sweet rice flour until it’s easy to handle.
Filling Consistency: After processing the sesame filling, check for a spreadable but firm consistency, which makes the dumpling assembly easier. If it’s too runny, a little extra cornstarch can help thicken it.
Sealing Dumplings: Ensure the edges of the dumpling dough are thoroughly pinched together to prevent the filling from leaking during cooking. A light dab of water can help seal them if the dough dries out.
Boiling Techniques: Add the dumplings to the boiling water gently to avoid breaking them. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking at the bottom of the pot.
Testing for Doneness: Dumplings generally float to the surface when done, but give them an extra minute to ensure the inside is thoroughly cooked.
Serving Tips: These dumplings are best served hot and fresh. For an added touch, serve with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds over the top.
Flavor Enhancements: Consider drizzling a small amount of honey or a dollop of sweet red bean paste inside the dumplings for an extra layer of sweetness.
Storage Advice: If you need to store the dumplings, place them on a tray with a little space between each and cover with plastic wrap. They can be refrigerated for up to two days and reheated in a steamer.

Sesame Glutinous Rice Dumplings

5.0 from 1 vote

Dive into the delightful world of Sesame Glutinous Rice Dumplings, a cherished dessert perfect for celebrating Chinese Spring Festival or any special occasion. These vegan and gluten-free treats combine the nutty richness of black sesame with the unique texture of sweet rice, offering a delectable experience that’s both traditional and satisfying.

Course: DessertCuisine: ChineseDifficulty: Medium

Servings

dumplings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

150

kcal

Resting Time

minutes

Total time

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

Sesame Filling
2/3 cup finely ground black sesame seeds
2 tbsp melted coconut oil
1 tbsp cornstarch for binding
1 tbsp coconut sugar for sweetness
1/4 tsp pure stevia extract for additional sweetness
Dumpling Wrapper
1 1/4 cups sweet rice flour (also known as glutinous rice flour)
Just over 1/2 cup water to form the dough
Alternative Ingredients:
Replace coconut oil with vegan butter for a richer taste replaces coconut oil
Use maple syrup instead of coconut sugar for a different sweetness profile replaces coconut sugar
Substitute sweet rice flour with tapioca flour for a different texture replaces sweet rice flour

Directions

Prepare Sesame Filling – Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Spread black sesame seeds on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before blending with coconut oil, cornstarch, coconut sugar, and stevia in a food processor until smooth.
Chill Filling – Transfer the sesame paste to a bowl and refrigerate for about 10 minutes to firm up.
Make Dumpling Dough – In a bowl, combine sweet rice flour with water and mix until you achieve a smooth, non-sticky dough.
Assemble Dumplings – Take about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball. Create a well in the center and fill with about 1 teaspoon of sesame paste. Seal and roll again to form a smooth ball.
Cook Dumplings – Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add dumplings and cook until they float to the surface and roll with the boiling water, about 5 minutes.