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Lotus Seed Paste
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Lotus Seed Paste

Homemade lotus seed paste is smooth, fragrant and you can customize the level of sweetness to taste. Make it as filling for sweet treats, such as mooncakes.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 111 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Chinese, Vietnamese

Ingredients

  • 7 oz lotus seed see Notes for dried seeds, fresh
  • 2 cups water
  • salt pinch
  • 1.6 oz granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup neutral cooking oil either coconut oil or neutral-flavored oil, generic cooking oil

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Inspect lotus seeds and remove the green germs in the center if there is any left.
  2. Add lotus seeds, water and a pinch of salt to a small pot. Bring it to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 25-30 minutes until the seeds are completely soft.
  3. Drain the seeds and let them cool down for several minutes. Reserve 3-4 tablespoons of the cooking liquid.
  4. Add lotus seeds to a food processor and process until smooth. Add just enough cooking liquid to make it easier to purée the seeds. Adding too much liquid will increase the cooking time in the later step. Add sugar and process for a few more seconds.
  5. Strain the purée (optional) and transfer it to a pan. Place over medium-low heat and constantly stir to cook off the excess moisture. After about 4-5 minutes, add oil and continue to stir to incorporate the oil and cook off the moisture.
  6. It may take 25-30 minutes of stirring and cooking the paste. It is ready when it can stick to itself and no longer stick to the pan. It should be firm enough to stand on its own while still soft to the touch.
  7. Transfer to a plate to cool completely. Then you can use it right away, or cover and refrigerate and use it the next day. You should have about 8.5oz (or 240g) of lotus seed paste.

Notes

  • You will have about 8.5oz (or 240g) of lotus seed paste from this recipe. That is enough for me to make 12 small 60g snow skin mooncakes or 4 medium 100g baked mooncakes with no salted egg yolk in the filling.
  • If you use dried lotus seeds, soak them in water overnight before boiling them.
  • You can adjust the amount of sugar to taste. This white lotus seed paste recipe is not too sweet. Sweeter paste can be kept for longer though.
  • I don't use a lot of oil and sugar so I added them all at once. If you decide to use more oil or sugar, you may want to add them in batch. If you increase the amount of sugar significantly, you may want to use icing sugar to make sure it is incorporated well into the paste.
  • You will have about 8.5oz (or 240g) of lotus seed paste from this recipe. That is enough for me to make 12 small 60g snow skin mooncakes or 4 medium 100g baked mooncakes with no salted egg yolk in the filling.

Nutrition Information

Calories 111kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 14g (5%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 3mg (0%) Potassium 226mg (5%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 8IU (0%) Calcium 28mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 111

% Daily Value*

Calories 111kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 14g 5%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Potassium 226mg 5%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 8IU 0%
Calcium 28mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.