Nutritious and Delicious Chapssal Yakbap (Sweet Rice Cake)
Nutritious and Delicious Chapssal Yakbap (Sweet Rice Cake)
Festive Season’s Delight: Easy Electric Rice Cooker Yakbap with Abundant Fresh Chestnuts
If you’re striving for a healthier lifestyle, instead of resisting cravings, try making better food choices yourself and controlling your portions. I recommend this simple and nutritious Yakbap, perfect for a homemade snack with your family, utilizing the seasonal ingredients of September and October. It’s a delightful way to stay nourished and enjoy a sweet treat even on busy days.
Main Ingredients- 400g Glutinous rice (chapssal)
- 10 Chestnuts
- 8-10 Pitted dates
- 30g Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds
- 20g Raisins
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
Syrup Mixture- 250ml Water
- 60-65ml Soy sauce (yangjo ganjang)
- 45g Brown sugar or raw sugar (won-dang)
- 1-2g Cinnamon powder (adjust to taste)
- 250ml Water
- 60-65ml Soy sauce (yangjo ganjang)
- 45g Brown sugar or raw sugar (won-dang)
- 1-2g Cinnamon powder (adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the 400g of glutinous rice thoroughly under running water. Place the rinsed rice in a bowl, add cold water, and soak for about 1 hour until well-hydrated. This soaking process ensures the rice becomes chewy and tender.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the key ingredients for a delicious Yakbap! Peel the 10 chestnuts carefully. If peeling is difficult, make a small cut on the shell, blanch in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then let it cool before peeling for easier removal. Roll and slice the 8-10 pitted dates for an attractive garnish. Briefly soak the 20g of raisins in lukewarm water to soften them. The prepared chestnuts, dates, and raisins will be used as toppings later.
Step 3
Let’s make the sweet syrup mixture that adds wonderful flavor to your Yakbap. In a pot or bowl, combine 250ml of water, 60-65ml of soy sauce, and 45g of brown sugar or raw sugar. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved. Sprinkle in 1-2g of fragrant cinnamon powder and mix. (You can add more cinnamon if you enjoy a stronger cinnamon flavor.) Drain the soaked glutinous rice and add it along with the 6-8 cut chestnuts into the syrup mixture. Gently mix everything together.
Step 4
It’s time to cook the Yakbap using your electric rice cooker! Transfer the syruped glutinous rice and chestnuts into the inner pot of the rice cooker and press the ‘Cook’ button. If you soaked the glutinous rice for about 1 hour, select the regular white rice cooking course (approx. 30-40 minutes). If you soaked the rice for 1.5 hours or longer, it’s better to choose the multi-grain course (approx. 40 minutes to 1 hour). Refer to your rice cooker’s manual for the appropriate setting.
Step 5
Once cooking is complete, steam will rise from the rice cooker! Carefully open the lid and gently mix the rice with a spatula, being careful not to mash the grains. This step helps the rice become chewy as it cools slightly. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and add the remaining ingredients: the prepared dates, raisins, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and other nuts. Mix them thoroughly. (*Remember to save some toppings for garnish later!)
Step 6
Now, let’s transfer the delicious mixed Yakbap into a container. Place the Yakbap neatly into a heat-resistant glass container or a stainless steel tray. Transferring it like this makes it easier to shape and cut later.
Step 7
Allow the Yakbap to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, the rice grains will become chewier and firmer, making them easy to cut. Use a knife to cleanly slice the Yakbap into bite-sized pieces (usually square shapes). You can then wrap individual portions or store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Enjoy your hearty and delicious nutritious snack anytime!
