Yakgwa

Name: Yakgwa
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted; 3 tbsp toasted sesame oil; 1/4 cup honey; 1 cup rice syrup; 1/2 cup water; 1 oz fresh ginger, sliced; 4 cups vegetable oil

Traditional Korean fried honey cookies soaked in a fragrant ginger syrup. They feature a unique layered, chewy texture with a delicate rich flavor.

60 minMediumServes 12210 cal/serving

KoreanDessertStovetopVegetarianDairy-FreeEgg-FreePork-FreeLow-SodiumNightshade-Free

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
3 tbsp toasted sesame oil
1/4 cup honey
1 cup rice syrup
1/2 cup water
1 oz fresh ginger, sliced
4 cups vegetable oil

Instructions

1

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour and 3 tbsp toasted sesame oil, rubbing the oil into the flour with your palms until sandy.
2

In a saucepan over medium heat, boil 1 cup rice syrup, 1/4 cup honey, 1/2 cup water, and 1 oz sliced fresh ginger for 2 minutes, then cool to room temperature.
3

Pour 3 tablespoons of the cooled syrup into the flour mixture and knead gently into a cohesive dough.
4

Roll the dough out to half an inch thick and cut into small squares or press into decorative cookie molds.
5

Heat 4 cups vegetable oil to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and fry dough pieces until they float and expand.
6

Increase heat to 320 degrees Fahrenheit and fry until deep golden brown, then drain.
7

Submerge the warm fried cookies into the remaining ginger syrup for at least 2 hours before serving.

Questions

Can I make Yakgwa gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Yakgwa keep?

Keep it covered in the refrigerator and eat it within three days.

Can I halve or double Yakgwa?

Yes. As written it serves 12. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

Sikhye (Sweet Rice Punch) drink
Soju Yogurt Cocktail drink
Pomegranate Blueberry Antioxidant Smoothie drink

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