This authentic chocolate mochi recipe is an absolute joy! Dreamy, delicious, and delicately soft, this dessert delivers a unique flavor and texture that instantly makes you fall head over heels in love!
Mochi is a huge part of Japanese tradition, and that's what makes this recipe so special. Everyone who tries chocolate mochi loves it, from little ones to grown-ups, and it's easy to see why.
This special recipe is inspired by the fusion of the sweets of two cultures—Japanese mochi and Western chocolate truffles. Imagine the kinds of buttery soft truffles that you find in Belgium or France, with the fun textures that you get with the classic Japanese rice cake.
They are so much fun to eat – soft, smooth, and chewy–and the chocolate filling tastes sublime. There's no doubt about it... chocolate mochi is one of those delicious delicacies that never fails to bring a smile.
Why you'll love this chocolate mochi recipe
- It's buttery soft and very fun to eat.
- The deep, velvety chocolate flavor is heavenly.
- It's an authentic Japanese favorite that makes a great alternative to western sweet recipes.
- They are like a blissful mix of Japanese and Western worlds, inspired by traditional mochi and chocolate truffles.
Equipment needed
There are a few special pieces of kitchen equipment that you'll need before you start making this magnificent mochi recipe.
- Mixing bowl – you'll need this to mix up all the various different ingredients
- Whisk – essential for getting that silky smooth chocolate ganache and mochi
Special ingredients needed
You'll need these special ingredients to master the art of chocolate mochi making!
- Glutinous rice flour – also known as mochi flour, this special starchy flour is the basis for making your mochi mixture.
- Cocoa powder – go for a high quality type to get the best the flavor.
Top Tip
Use milk chocolate when making the ganache. The recipe doesn't work so well with dark chocolate.
How to make chocolate mochi
You need milk chocolate, cream and butter.
Place those 3 ingredients in a bowl and melt gently in the microwave.
Stir it and make sure everything is melted and smooth. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
For the mochi you need flour, butter, sugar, milk and cocoa powder.
Place the flour, sugar and content in a container.
Mix, then slowly incorporate the milk.
Heat it up gently in the microwave, ensuring no lumps, then stir in the butter.
Knead the mochi dough until smooth and pliable. Divide into 16 portions, then flatten each portion into a disc and place the chilled ganache in the center.
Wrap the mochi around the ganache and seal by pressing the seams together. Roll the ball in cocoa powder. Repeat until done. Enjoy!
Would you like to save this?
What to serve with chocolate mochi
Serve with a dollop of your favorite ice cream and a scattering of fruit. Chocolate mochi, ice cream, and fruit are like a holy trinity of deliciousness!
Variations and substitutions
- Want to make vegan chocolate mochi? Replace the whole milk with coconut milk and the chocolate mochi with vegan chocolate. You could also use oat or almond milk as dairy-free milk.
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for a little twist on the flavor.
What is mochi?
Mochi is a traditional Japanese sweet. These delicious little rice cakes, which are shaped like cute little buns, are a big part of Japanese traditional cuisine and are adored by everyone, from the young to the old.
What is mochi made of?
At its foundations, mochi is made of glutinous rice flour and water. This sticky rice is called 'mochigome' in Japan. Its high starch content makes it stickier than regular rice – perfect for stretchy mochi dough!
In addition to the two base ingredients, mochi can be flavored with various ingredients. These include chocolate, coconut, strawberry, cookies and cream, and coffee. For me, chocolate butter mochi is the best of the lot!
Traditional mochi-making involves two people, one pounding by hand and one with a giant hammer, placing the mochi in a giant mortar. They take turns beating the mochi dough at dangerously high speed, which is all part of the madcap fun of this traditional practice.
When are the origins of mochi?
Mochi has been a staple of Japanese culinary culture for many years. The cake can be traced back to the Jomon period (14,000-300 BCE), although it's not known precisely when making this traditional, much-loved snack became common practice.
At the beginning of the 6th century, homemade mochi became more prevalent when earthenware steamers became widely used nationwide.
However, food scholars insist that the mochi we know and love today became popular during the Heian period (794-1185 CE) when emperors and noblemen would serve it as a dessert at feasts during essential celebrations.
They considered mochi to be 'food for the gods' and would even offer it in religious offerings in Shinto and Buddhist rituals.
What does chocolate mochi taste like?
Like heaven!
This homemade chocolate mochi recipe is a combination of some of your favorite sweets. Imagine taffy crossed with marshmallow, crossed with chocolate truffles. Is your mouth watering yet?
It's like a blissful mix of tastes and textures that combine for the ultimate chocolate treat.
Best of all, it's homemade. So, no nasty preservatives, only good quality, natural ingredients!
It's like the taste of traditional, authentic Japan, with the wonderful Western twist of chocolate ganache added to the centre for a stunning chocolate surprise. Incredible!
Is chocolate mochi gluten free?
Yes! Although the name 'glutinous rice flour' might make you think that mochi contains gluten, it actually doesn't. Despite its name, glutinous rice is entirely free from gluten.
Gluten-free and delicious. What's not to love?
Is mochi sweet?
Normal mochi itself isn't sweet. The sweetness comes from added flavors. In this instance, the milk chocolate, milk, and sugar bring sweetness to these little traditional Japanese rice cakes.
What is glutinous rice flour?
Otherwise known as mochiko flour or sweet rice flour, glutinous rice flour is a type of flour that's ground from short-grain glutinous rice or sticky rice.
Where can I get glutinous rice flour?
Glutinous rice flour is available in most quality supermarkets and stores in the US and the UK. It is also available in Asian food stores.
If you can't find it in shops, you can buy mochiko here.
Can I use plain flour in place of glutinous rice flour?
No. Unfortunately, you can't substitute glutinous rice flour for regular rice flour. Plain flour doesn't have the same properties as glutinous rice flour, and you won't get that wonderful springy texture.
Why is my mochi not stretchy?
If your mochi dough is not stretchy enough, it could be due to the flour-to-water ratio. You need to add more glutinous rice flour. Add a sprinkle and mix it in, then continue to beat the mochi dough.
Continue this process until you've reached the desired consistency.
Why is my mochi so sticky?
Mochi is supposed to be sticky! Keep your hands wet when handling mochi—this helps to remove the notoriously sticky substance.
Adding too much water to the mix could cause overly sticky mochi. If your mochi dough is unworkable, try adding a sprinkle of flour.
How do you store chocolate mochi?
The best way to store chocolate mochi is in an airtight container at room temperature. This prevents it from drying out and cracking.
Can you store mochi in the fridge?
Generally, storing mochi in the fridge is not a good idea. It will harden and lose its velvety, soft, stretchy texture.
Can you freeze mochi?
You can store mochi in the freezer, although the taste and texture will suffer somewhat.
To freeze mochi, wrap each mochi cake individually in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Then, store the container in the fridge for up to one month.
To defrost mochi, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and consume them the following day.
More amazing chocolate dessert recipes
Chocoholics rejoice! There are many more fantastic chocolate recipes to tantalize your tastebuds. Here are some of my personal favorites:
- Mochi brownies — soft, gooey, and delicious. These mochi brownies were invented by a sweet-toothed genius in Hawaii, blending the best of both worlds. Too good to miss!
- Chocolate and pistachio brownies – more chocolate brownies; these bad boys are one of my favorites.
- Chocolate flapjacks – these classic flapjacks are perfect as snacks, lunch box fillers, or as a special treat
- Chocolate courgette cake – you won't believe how delicious this recipe is! Light, rich, and with a topping that will blow you away, this is a cake recipe that you'll come back to again and again.
- Black forest gateau – the kind of decadent chocolate cakes
- Chocolate orange brownies – these little heavenly bites are very easy to whip up and nigh-on impossible to resist
- African Prince pie – a chocolate dessert that's fit for royalty
- Chocolate concrete – an old-school classic that has stood the test of time. Serve it with this pink custard for a delicious blast from the past
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Mochi Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 balls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Discover the perfect fusion of chewy mochi and rich chocolate in this delectable Chocolate Mochi recipe, offering a delightful twist on a classic treat.
Ingredients
Ganache
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup double/heavy cream
Chocolate Mochi
- ⅔ cup glutinous rice flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- For the Ganache: Place the ganache ingredients in a microwave-friendly bowl. Microwave it in 30-second blasts, stirring in between, until everything is melted and a smooth sauce is formed. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours until it solidifies.
- For the Chocolate Mochi: Place the flour, cocoa, and sugar in a microwave-friendly bowl and stir well.
- While whisking, slowly add the milk until the mixture is smooth and without lumps.
- Zap the contents for 30-second stints (no more than 2 minutes) until the mixture is warm and pliable.
- Whisk out any lumps and add butter to the mixture until it’s well incorporated. Reheat the contents in the microwave again for 3 minutes.
- Knead the mochi until smooth and pliable. Let it cool to room temperature.
- When the ganache is ready, divide the mochi and ganache into 16 portions.
- Flatten each portion into an even 5cm (2-inch) disk, then fill with ganache. Wrap the mochi around the ganache and seal by pressing the seams together.
- Roll the ball in cocoa powder and tweak the shape as needed. Repeat another 15 times. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- We have attempted making the ganache with 70% dark chocolate. It’s doable but the ganache is a lot harder in consistency, making it harder to work with, even at room temperature.
- Another name for glutinous rice flour is mochi flour.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Chill
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 148
- Sugar: 11.9 g
- Sodium: 333.7 mg
- Fat: 7.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.6 g
- Trans Fat:
- Carbohydrates: 19.4 g
- Fiber: 0.9 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 13.5 mg
Make my day! - Share your thoughts...