A delightful dessert featuring colorful glutinous rice balls filled with a creamy custard, served in a fragrant sugar water.
A delightful dessert featuring colorful glutinous rice balls filled with a creamy custard, served in a fragrant sugar water.

Ingredients
Purple Glutinous Rice Balls
- 150gglutinous rice flour
- 80gcooked purple sweet potatoes
- 1tbspsugar
- 1tspcooking oil
- 50mLwater
Orange Glutinous Rice Balls
- 150gglutinous rice flour
- 80gcooked orange sweet potatoes
- 1tbspsugar
- 1tspcooking oil
- 50mLwater
Custard
- 60gcustard powder
- 40gmilk powder
- 45gsugar
- 100mLcoconut milk
- 80mLmilk
- 1pieceegg, beaten
- 25mLcooking oil or melted butter
Sugar Water
- 1000mLwater
- 2piecepandan leaves, knotted
- 10gsliced ginger
- 50gpalm sugar
How to make Sweet potatoes Tang Yuan
Custard Filling
Combine custard powder, sugar, and milk powder. Add coconut milk, milk, and beaten egg. Mix well until incorporated.
Add cooking oil and mix well again. Strain the mixture to remove lumps.
Transfer to a lightly greased heatproof dish and steam at high heat for 10 minutes.
Remove from the steamer, let cool for 10 minutes, and knead into a smooth paste.
Roll the custard into balls about 2cm in size and set aside.
Glutinous Rice Balls
Mash the purple sweet potatoes in a mixing bowl, add half of the glutinous rice flour, oil, and sugar.
Knead the dough until smooth and not sticky, then divide into balls.
Flatten the dough, place a custard ball inside, and seal it. Repeat until all dough and custard are used.
Repeat the process for the orange sweet potato dough.
In a pot, combine water, pandan leaves, sliced ginger, and palm sugar. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Add the glutinous rice balls to the pot, stir to prevent sticking, and cook until they float. Serve hot.
Tips & Tricks
Ensure the sweet potatoes are thoroughly cooked and mashed for a smooth dough.
Adjust the water content in the dough based on the moisture of the sweet potatoes.
FAQS
Can I use other types of sweet potatoes for this recipe?
Yes, you can use other varieties of sweet potatoes, but the flavor and color may vary. Purple and orange sweet potatoes are recommended for their sweetness and vibrant colors.
What can I substitute for palm sugar?
You can substitute palm sugar with brown sugar or coconut sugar, but keep in mind that the flavor may be slightly different.
How do I know when the glutinous rice balls are cooked?
The glutinous rice balls are cooked when they float to the surface of the water. This usually takes about 5-10 minutes after adding them to the boiling water.
Can I prepare the custard filling in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the custard filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before using it to fill the dough.
What is the best way to store leftover Sweet Potatoes Tang Yuan?
Store any leftover Sweet Potatoes Tang Yuan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in hot water before serving.
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Tham Jessica
(@jessieinthekitchen)
I loved to cook and enjoyed learning about all sort of cuisines. Today, I am still in the kitchen and every chance I get, I cook. Some days it isn’t even fancy or a hard recipe. Some days it’s a classic, but something that I’ve created. Cooking is my time to be me. I loved to cook and enjoyed learning about all sort of cuisines. Today, I am still in the kitchen and every chance I get, I...
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