Chinese Date Paste 棗泥餡
Another traditional Chinese dessert filling paste is this yummilicious concoction made from Chinese dates also known as jujubes 棗, a sweet pulpy fruit that is often used to sweeten Chinese desserts. The Chinese Date Paste 棗泥餡 is pretty simple to make and the end result is a rich, fruity, sweetly smooth and thick paste that can be used for stuffing pastries.
- Prep time
- 5 min
- Cook time
- 20 min
- Yield
- 10 servings
- Difficulty
- EASY
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 3/4 cups dried pre-pitted Chinese dates 棗, 300g
- 1 3/4 cups water, 400g
- 2 1/2 cups brown sugar, 500g
- 5 tbsp maltose sugar syrup 棗泥漿, 150g
- 1/2 cup + 3 tbsp neutral taste oil, 150g
Instructions
- 1
In a thick bottom sauce pan, add in the dates and water. Cook over low heat until the dates are soft.
- 2
Remove the pan and use the hand blender or a regular blender to pulverize completely.
- 3
Push the resulting paste through a sieve to get rid of the skins.
- 4
Put the paste back into the pan and add the sugar and maltose. Cook over low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- 5
Add in the oil and keep cooking, stirring, until all the oil is incorporated and the paste thickens and does not stick to your finger.
- 6
Note that the paste will stiffen as it cools. Let cool completely and use as desired.