It is believed that the moon is at its fullest on the 15th day of the Chinese eighth lunar month. The Autumn Moon Festival is celebrated with these tasty pastries: flaky on the outside and a sweet filling of red bean paste, lotus seed paste, fruit or nuts on the inside. Learn about the Moon Festival. type: rolled makes: 2 dozen pastry 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons dark corn syrup 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 eggs 6-7 tablespoons cold water filling 1/2 cup chopped dates 1/2 cup orange marmalade 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts 1/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut 1/4 cup coarsely chopped raisins glaze 1 egg 1 tablespoon milk Preheat oven to 375F. Combine dates, marmalade, walnuts, coconut and raisins in medium bowl; set aside. Sift together flour, baking powder, and sugar. Slowly beat in corn syrup and oil. Add eggs, one at a time. Add a little of the cold water, use just enough to hold dough together. Roll out dough between two pieces of wax paper until 1/8" thick. Carefully remove the top sheet of wax paper. Cut out 4" rounds. Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each round. Gather the edges of dough, pinch together to seal in the filling. Form pastry into a ball shape and place about 2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet, seam side down. Slightly flatten balls to flatten tops. Make the glaze by whisking together the egg and milk. Brush tops and sides of the pastry with the glaze. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden browned, don't overbake. Let cool on cookie sheet 1 minute then transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely. |
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Moon Cakes |