Dorayaki is not only for kids, although the Japanese manga suggests that the anime character Doraemon loves eating this confection (銅鑼焼き, ドラ焼き). I have to make this claim because I’m too mature to belong to any younger groups, but still, I do not feel odd to feed myself with it.
Although each dorayaki is essentially a type of pancake, it is little more than a breakfast companion for maple syrup or for cuts of fresh fruits. I say so, since I also like it as an all-time snack.
The classic dorayaki is made up of two pancakes sandwiched with sweet red bean paste (aka azuki or anko sweet beans paste). In this simple recipe, I paired up the dorayaki with nutella, which is more available than the canned azuki here. But honestly, whenever I have time to prepare my own red bean paste, I may easily change my mind.
Shaping pancakes for dorayaki is a little bit more challenging than making those for breakfast because the two patties in pair, apart from being round, have to be in more or less the same size. But you shall soon see the steps are not that intimidating.
I have to admit, however, with each mouthful of dorayaki, I simply feel like travelling back to my younger ages. Just can’t help saying this is a nice treat for kids, for adults, young and elder ones included.
- Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 45g cake flour
- 40g brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp honey + 1 tbsp water
- ~3 tbsp nutella or ~3 tbsp red bean bean paste
- ~1/4 tsp cooking oil for pan frying
- yields about 6 pancakes of about 8 cm
Method
Beat egg until become frothy and add sugar. Whisk to dissolve.
Dissolve baking soda and dilute honey with water. Add them in the egg mixture.
Sieve in cake flour. Mix the wet and dry ingredients with a spatula but do not over-mix; break up any lumps by pressing them against the side of mixing bowl.
Cover bowl with a cling film, let the mixture rest for about 30 minutes.
Heat skillet over low heat, spray (or brush) a barely visible layer of oil on it. Ladle batter (slightly more than 1 table spoon) onto skillet. Flip pancakes after bubbles rise, about one minute and a half, and the bottom is golden brown. Fry the other side for another half minute or until done (the second side will not be evenly browned as the first due to the bubbles).
Repeat with the remaining batter; brush oil on skillet if required.
Sandwich two patties with nutella or red bean bean paste. Serve warm. If not consume immediately, seal or wrap the dorayaki to prevent it from turning dry.
Enjoy! Enjoy these no-milk pancakes that are cooked with little oil!
Note
Pouring batter over one point without shaking help make a rounder pancake (I don’t make perfect round shapes either). And, same amount of batter in each pour will give you pancakes of more or less the same size.
Make sure to cook these pancakes over low heat as the honey content in them burns more easily. If the skillet gets too hot, remove from heat for a while.
Do not apply excess oil for frying as the edges of pancakes will turn irregular than smooth.
- Category: Egg .
- 32 comments
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Oh! I used to buy these little treats at the Japanese town…but haven’t had it for a while. I like the idea of Nutella 🙂 Yours look so light and fluffy…yummie!
Hope you are having a wonderful week 🙂
I am so keeping this recipe… my kids love dorayaki… and so do I actually 😉
Thank you… 😀
Wow, dorayaki looks so yummy! Shall give this a try definitely! Great blog…since I live in Hong Kong and I am still learning about the food culture here, I really appreciate your recipes!
@purabi naha,
Thank you! Hope you will soon enjoy this – my lazy tweak of a Japanese recipe with Nutella.
Love the even color you got on all of them. Will be bookmarking this for later. I think Nutella is definitely more up my alley. 🙂
yummy! I love dorayaki!
These look very tempting. Now I think I will have problem sleeping. Wish I can have some before going to bed! I need to bookmark this to try. Thanks very much for sharing.
@Sarah@buttered-up,
Thank you! I should have credited my cast-iron skillet for doing a nice job for me. It conducts and retains heat well, making the browning easier.
Enjoy your dorayaki!
@Mary Moh,
Hope you would enjoy this soon!
Hahha…we both make “childhood” food! I know Doraemon likes 铜锣烧! Now I know you like it too. 😀
The two pancakes sandwich just so perfectly! You did an excellent job cos I think it is not easy.
@tigerish,
Proves that we both love to eat since we were kids? Ha!
Believe me, it is not that difficult, thank you for your kind words!
These pancakes remind me of the local versions we have here served with peanuts and sugar filling. Delicious!
hi maureen, i would love to try this too one day..i hope i dont ended up making them in all different sizes and shapes!
I think I’d eat these anyway, even if they were only for kids! I loved the red bean paste pastries we had in SE Asia. Now I need to learn to make my own to put in between these pancakes.
this is such a cool way to enjoy pancakes. I love how your pancakes are a smooth golden surface. My ones always look bubbly and cracked. red bean paste in between these sounds heavenly.
OMG… I love dorayaki… did not know that I can make them at home. xoxo
@lena,
Hi! I didn’t fry them in exactly the same size, but believe me, it is not difficult to make them look round. Enjoy yours soon!
@tinytearoom
Minimal oil plus an evenly heated skillet shall help make the pancake golden and smooth, have fun!
Delicious pancake, yours was evenly brown and same size. I like to serve with nutella.
The texture looks terrific….. and with nutella…sounds awesome! Slurp…. Am salivating!
Kristy
I grew up in Hong Kong, but I am living in Los Angeles now. These dorayakis look amazing! I love dorayaki because of Doraemon. They always look delicious on TV. My husband like dorayaki too. I am sure that he is happy that I have found this recipe. Thanks.
@Lokness,
You are so sweet, happy for your husband.
Have fun and enjoy!
I love Doraemon and how he and Nobita fight for those hopia (doriyaki).. Thank you so much, now I can make them for my siblings! I’m sure they’re gonna love these. Thank you ^_^
@munik-munik,
Enjoy sharing with your siblings. I believe you won’t fight : )!
I love dorayaki very much but never made them before just bought it from Korean/Japanese Supermarket near my house. But after read this recipe I will give try. Thank you for the great recipe. Wish me luck ^_^
@Endang,
Good luck and have fun!
After stopping at Narita airport in Japan and buying a box of dorayaki there, I can never eat the ones you find in Hong Kong shops again 🙁
So I’ve decided to try and make my own! I’ll be trying your recipe shortly and will let you know my thoughts 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
It says ‘Dissolve baking soda’, but with what? by adding it to the mix?
@ Katy Lafferty,
Ingredients:
– 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1 tbsp water
– 1 tsp honey + 1 tbsp water
Method:
– Dissolve baking soda and dilute honey with water. Add them in the egg mixture.
mm it look very delicious,i will make that for my girl
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I love dorayaki very much but never made them before just bought it from Japanese. But after read this recipe I will give try. Thanks
nice post 🙂 i like your dorayaki food article
This dorayaki make me mouthwatering…. Thanks for share… 🙂