Black Sesame and Lemon Curd Mooncake Filling

Make Black Sesame Powder

1. Preheat the oven to 300 F.

2. Wash the black sesame seeds.

3. Use a paper towel to pat dry.

4. Spread the sesame seeds out on a baking sheet. Make a little space and add the walnuts as well.

   

5. Bake for 15 minutes.

6. Transfer 100 g of the sesame seeds to a food processor and grind to a powder.

Make Black Sesame Filling

1. Roughly chop the walnuts.

2. Add the glutinous rice flour to a pan and heat over medium for 15 minutes, stirring constantly.

3. Combine the glutinous rice flour, walnuts, black sesame powder, remaining 20 grams of black sesame seeds, 40 grams of sugar, salt, and sesame oil.

4. Gradually add water one tablespoon at a time, mixing well, until the mixture can come together in your hand and hold its shape.

   

5. Let rest in the refrigerator.

Make Lemon Curd

1. Separate the egg yolks from the whites - we only need the yolks.

2. Zest a lemon.

3. Juice the lemon until you have about 2.5 tablespoons.

4. Beat the egg yolks and whisk 50 grams of sugar in until the color is pale yellow.

5. Stir in the lemon juice slowly.

   

6. Heat the mixture in a pan over low heat until it thickens. I usually test this by just running my spatula through it - if it takes a few seconds to fill in, it's ready!

7. Remove from heat and slowly add the cold butter, cutting pieces in and mixing well.

8. Mix well until the butter is fully melted, then let cool in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

   

Make Mooncake Filling Balls

1. I usually go with 25-30 grams of this filling to go with 30-35 grams of mooncake dough. So, measure out 25 grams of the black sesame paste.

2. Roll it into a small ball, and then cut it in half.

3. Use your thumb to make a small dent in the middle of each half.

   

4. Add in a small spoon of lemon curd into the dent (in both halves if you're brave).

   

5. Gently close the two halves and pinch at the seam.

6. Roll the ball gently in your hands to make sure the seam is smooth.

   

7. Repeat steps 1-6 until you use all the sesame paste.