Top 6 Traditional and Modern Mooncake Fillings in 2024

Have you ever wondered what makes mooncakes a meaningful gift during the Mid-Autumn Festival? The answer lies in the variety and refinement of each filling. From the crispy crust to the rich filling, every mooncake tells a unique culinary story. Join Annam Gourmet in exploring 6 unique mooncake fillings, where tradition meets modernity, offering an unforgettable culinary experience this Mid-Autumn Festival.

1. Introduction to Mooncake Fillings

The full moon of the eighth lunar month brings with it the distinctive aroma of cinnamon and star anise, along with golden mooncakes. Each mooncake is not only a meaningful gift but also an exciting culinary journey. From familiar flavors like mung bean and lotus seed to innovative creations like green tea, chocolate, and cheese, every mooncake tells a unique culinary story.

According to legend, Cuội flew to the moon with Hang Nga after drinking an immortality potion. To remember his homeland, he brought a precious plant and planted it on the moon. This plant bore fruit on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, symbolized by the mooncakes. To this day, mooncakes remain a symbol of family reunion and togetherness.

2. Traditional Mooncake Fillings

2.1 Mung Bean Filling

Mung beans have long been considered a nutritious food, believed to cool the body, detoxify, and promote health. Using mung beans as mooncake filling not only brings a delicious flavor but also reflects care for the health of loved ones.

To create a delicious mung bean filling, several meticulous steps are involved, such as soaking, cooking, grinding, mixing with sugar, and other ingredients. The preparation methods vary slightly by region, resulting in distinctive flavors. Pairing mung bean-filled mooncakes with a cup of hot tea allows you to fully appreciate the flavor of both.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

Filling:

• 200g peeled mung beans
• 150g sugar
• 30g glutinous rice flour
• 50g cooking oil
• 50g maltose

Dough:

• 300g flour
• 2 egg yolks
• 5g honey
• 15g peanut butter
• 40g vegetable oil
• 210g mooncake syrup

Tools:

• Pot
• Pan
• Scale
• Sieve
• Wooden spoon
• Mooncake mold
• Oven

Instruction:

Step 1: Prepare Mung Bean Filling:

• Soak the Mung Beans: Wash peeled mung beans and soak in water for 3-4 hours or overnight until softened.
• Cook the Mung Beans: Boil mung beans in a pot with water until soft and tender. Drain and let cool.
• Grind the Beans: Blend the cooked mung beans with a bit of water until smooth.
• Cook the Filling: Heat 30ml of oil in a pan, add the blended beans, and sugar, and stir on low heat until smooth and no longer sticky. Add roasted glutinous rice flour for better binding. Let cool and shape into small balls of the desired size

Step 2: Make the Dough:

• Mix mooncake syrup, egg yolks, peanut butter, and alkaline water (if used) in a bowl. Gradually add flour and knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Shape the Mooncakes:

• Divide the dough into small portions, about 20-25g each. Roll each portion flat, place a mung bean filling ball in the center, and wrap tightly.
• Press the wrapped dough into a mold to shape.

Step 4: Bake the Mooncakes:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes.
• First Bake: Place the mooncakes on a baking tray and bake for 7-10 minutes until slightly set and light golden. Remove from the oven and let cool.
• Glaze and Second Bake: Brush a thin layer of egg yolk on the mooncake surface, then bake for an additional 7-10 minutes until evenly golden.

Step 5: Finish:

• Let the mooncakes cool completely, then store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days to allow the oil to seep, making them softer and more flavorful.

Tips:

• Add a bit of cooking oil when grinding the beans for a smoother filling.
• If glutinous rice flour is unavailable, substitute with tapioca flour.
• Knead the dough well and store the mooncakes in a cool, dry place for a softer and tastier texture.

2.2 Lotus Seed Filling

Lotus seeds, long a symbol of purity and nobility in Asian culture, have a mildly sweet, creamy flavor. They are a key ingredient in mooncakes, especially for those who appreciate sophistication.

In Asian culture, lotus seeds symbolize purity, nobility, and longevity. Therefore, lotus seed mooncakes are often gifted on special occasions to express respect and honor. Paired with green bean soup or sweet glutinous rice balls, these mooncakes create a refreshing, nutritious dessert.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

Filling:

• 200g dried lotus seeds
• 150g sugar
• 30g glutinous rice flour
• 50g cooking oil
• 50g maltose
• 1 egg white (optional, for a smoother filling)

Instruction:

Step 1: Prepare Lotus Seed Filling:

• Cook the Lotus Seeds: Remove the lotus heart (if present) and rinse. If using dried seeds, soak in water for 4-6 hours before cooking. Boil until tender, then drain.
• Grind the Seeds: Blend the seeds with a little water until smooth.
• Cook the Filling: Heat oil in a pan, add the blended seeds, and sugar, and stir on low heat until thick and not sticky. Add roasted glutinous rice flour for better binding. Cool and shape into small balls.

Step 2: Make the Dough

• Mix the Dough: In a bowl, mix the golden syrup, egg yolks, peanut butter, and alkaline water. Gradually add the flour, mixing until it forms a smooth, elastic dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Assemble the Mooncakes

• Divide the Dough and Filling: Divide the dough into small portions, each weighing around 20-25g. Flatten each portion, place a lotus seed filling ball in the center, and wrap it completely.
• Mold the Mooncakes: Place the mooncake into a mold and press gently to shape.

Step 4: Bake the Mooncakes

• Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes.
• First Bake: Place the mooncakes on a baking tray and bake for about 7-10 minutes. Remove and let cool.
• Apply Egg Wash and Second Bake: Lightly brush the top with egg yolk and bake for another 7-10 minutes until they are golden brown.

Step 5: Final Touch

Allow the mooncakes to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days to let the flavors develop and the crust become tender and fragrant.

Tips:

• To achieve a nice golden color, add a little cooking oil to the egg yolk before brushing it onto the mooncakes.
• For a unique flavor, consider adding some dried orange peel, pandan leaves, or nuts to the filling.
• For a smoother filling, blend the lotus seeds with some of the water used to cook them.

2.3 Mixed Nut Filling

Mixed nut filling combines various ingredients to create a unique harmony of flavors. Typically, this filling has a rich, slightly salty flavor from meat, the creamy texture of oil, the crunchiness of nuts, and the freshness of candied fruit. Its diverse texture can be chewy, crunchy, or a combination of both.

Mixed nut filling is a Vietnamese culinary creation that reflects the richness and diversity of traditional cuisine. Each mixed nut mooncake tells a story of reunion, warmth, and family togetherness. For those who love bold flavors, pairing these mooncakes with a glass of red wine provides an unforgettable culinary experience.

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Mixed Nuts Filling

• Prepare the Dry Ingredients: Finely dice all dry ingredients, such as cashews, watermelon seeds, roasted sesame seeds, candied winter melon, red ginger candy, candied lotus seeds, Chinese sausage, jambon, and candied kumquat, and place them in a large bowl.
• Prepare the Candied Pork Fat: Dice the pork fat, blanch it in boiling water, drain, and marinate with sugar until it becomes translucent.
• Mix the Filling: Add the candied pork fat to the bowl of dry ingredients. Add Mei Kuei Lu wine, soy sauce, cooking oil, five-spice powder, and sugar, then mix well. Gradually sprinkle in the glutinous rice flour to help bind the filling. If the mixture is still too dry, add a little water.
• Form the Filling Balls: Divide the filling into small balls, typically weighing 80-100g each.

Step 2: Make the Dough

• Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, mix the golden syrup, egg yolks, peanut butter, and alkaline water (if used). Gradually add the flour, mixing until it forms a smooth, elastic dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Assemble the Mooncakes

• Divide the Dough and Filling: Divide the dough into small portions, each weighing around 40-50g. Flatten each portion, place a mixed nuts filling ball in the center, and wrap it completely.
• Mold the Mooncakes: Place the mooncake into a mold and press gently to shape.

Step 4: Bake the Mooncakes

• Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes.
• First Bake: Place the mooncakes on a baking tray and bake for about 7-10 minutes until they start to set and turn slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool.
• Apply Egg Wash and Second Bake: Lightly brush the top with egg yolk and bake for another 7-10 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden color.

Step 5: Final Touch

Allow the mooncakes to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days to let the flavors develop, and the crust becomes tender and fragrant.

Tips:

• To achieve a nice golden color, add a little cooking oil to the egg yolk before brushing it onto the mooncakes.
• For a unique flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon, star anise, or other spices to the filling.
• You can adjust the amount of ingredients in the mixed nuts filling to suit your taste.

3. Modern Mooncake Fillings

3.1 Green Tea Filling

The green tea filling is born from the combination of traditional mooncake-making techniques and modern culinary trends. The idea of using green tea powder as a filling comes from the desire to create a mooncake with a unique flavor that appeals to younger tastes. With its slightly bitter, refreshing taste of tea leaves combined with a moderate sweetness, the green tea filling offers a novel and sophisticated culinary experience.

To enhance the flavor, you can pair green tea mooncakes with a fragrant lotus tea or a glass of cold fresh milk. This combination provides a wonderful culinary experience, helping you relax and fully enjoy sweet moments with family and loved ones. Additionally, green tea mooncakes can be paired harmoniously with various fresh fruits, making them an ideal dessert for afternoon tea.

Mooncake Recipe:

Ingredients

Green Tea Filling:

• 200g skinless mung beans
• 100g sugar
• 20g green tea powder
• 30g glutinous rice flour
• 50g cooking oil
• 50g maltose

Mooncake Dough:

• 300g all-purpose flour
• 2 egg yolks
• 5g honey
• 15g peanut butter
• 40g vegetable oil
• 210g golden syrup

Equipment:

• Pot
• Pan
• Scale
• Sieve
• Wooden spoon
• Mooncake mold
• Oven

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Green Tea Filling

• Soak the Mung Beans: Rinse the skinless mung beans and soak them in water for 3-4 hours or overnight until they are soft.
• Cook the Mung Beans: Put the mung beans in a pot, cover with water, and cook until they are soft and fully cooked. Drain using a sieve.
• Blend the Mung Beans: Place the cooked mung beans in a blender and blend with a little water until smooth.
• Cook the Green Tea Filling: Heat 30ml of cooking oil in a pan, add the blended mung beans, and mix in the sugar and green tea powder. Stir continuously over low heat until the filling is smooth and does not stick to the pan. Add roasted glutinous rice flour to improve binding. Allow the filling to cool, then divide it into small portions and roll into balls of the desired size.

Step 2: Make the Dough

• Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the golden syrup, egg yolks, peanut butter, and alkaline water (if used). Gradually add the flour, mixing until it forms a smooth, elastic dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Assemble the Mooncakes

• Divide the Dough and Filling: Divide the dough into small portions, each weighing about 20-25g. Flatten each portion, place a green tea filling ball in the center, and wrap it completely.
• Mold the Mooncakes: Place the mooncake into a mold and press gently to shape.

Step 4: Bake the Mooncakes

• Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes.
• First Bake: Place the mooncakes on a baking tray and bake for 7-10 minutes until they start to set and turn slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool.
• Apply Egg Wash and Second Bake: Lightly brush the top with egg yolk and bake for another 7-10 minutes until they have a nice, even golden color.

Step 5: Final Touch

Allow the mooncakes to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days to let the flavors develop, and the crust becomes tender and fragrant.

Tips:

• To achieve a deeper green color, you can add a little natural green food coloring to the filling.
• For a unique flavor, consider adding a few drops of green tea essence to the filling.
• To get a beautiful green and smooth filling, use pure green tea powder and blend the mung beans with some of the cooking water.

3.2 Chocolate and Coffee Filling

The chocolate and coffee filling is a perfect blend of two modern flavors, creating a delightful culinary surprise. Premium chocolate, with its rich and slightly bitter taste, combines beautifully with the aromatic roasted Arabica coffee, resulting in a unique symphony of flavors. The filling is smooth, creamy, and melts in your mouth, leaving a memorable bittersweet aftertaste.

To fully enjoy this special flavor, pair the mooncake with a glass of rich red wine or a hot cup of black coffee. This combination will enhance the richness and complexity of the flavors, offering an unforgettable culinary experience. Alternatively, you can enjoy the mooncake with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream or a few crunchy biscuits for a perfect dessert.

Mooncake Recipe:

Ingredients:

Filling:

• • 150g dark chocolate
  • 100g heavy cream
  • 20g instant coffee powder
  • 10g cocoa powder
  • 50g butter
  • 20g powdered sugar
  • 1 egg yolk

Dough:

• • 200g all-purpose flour
  • 100g golden syrup
  • 85g cooking oil
  • 15g cocoa powder
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 5g honey
  • 15g peanut butter

Equipment:

• Double boiler
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Mooncake mold
• Oven

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate and Coffee Filling

• Soak the Mung Beans: Rinse the skinless mung beans and soak them in water for 3-4 hours or overnight until they are soft.
• Cook the Mung Beans: Put the mung beans in a pot, cover with water, and cook until they are soft and fully cooked. Drain using a sieve.
• Blend the Mung Beans: Place the cooked mung beans in a blender and blend with a little water until smooth.
• Cook the Chocolate and Coffee Filling: Heat a pan with 30ml of cooking oil, add the blended mung beans, and mix in the sugar, instant coffee powder, and cocoa powder. Stir continuously over low heat. Once the filling thickens, add chopped dark chocolate and stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
• Add Binding Ingredients: Add roasted glutinous rice flour to help bind the filling. Allow the filling to cool, then divide it into small portions and roll into balls of the desired size.

Step 2: Make the Dough

• Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the golden syrup, egg yolks, peanut butter, and alkaline water (if used). Gradually add the flour, mixing until it forms a smooth, elastic dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Assemble the Mooncakes

• Divide the Dough and Filling: Divide the dough into small portions, each weighing about 20-25g. Flatten each portion, place a chocolate and coffee filling ball in the center, and wrap it completely.
• Mold the Mooncakes: Place the mooncake into a mold and press gently to shape.

Step 4: Bake the Mooncakes

• Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes.
• First Bake: Place the mooncakes on a baking tray and bake for 7-10 minutes until they start to set and turn slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool.
• Apply Egg Wash and Second Bake: Lightly brush the top with egg yolk and bake for another 7-10 minutes until they have a nice, even golden color.

Step 5: Final Touch

Allow the mooncakes to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days to let the flavors develop, and the crust becomes tender and fragrant.

Tips:

• To help the filling set faster, place it in the freezer.
• For a special flavor, consider adding some pistachios or almonds to the filling.
• You can increase the amount of coffee powder in the filling for a stronger coffee taste.

4. Creative Combinations in Mooncake Fillings

4.1 Asian-European Ingredient Fusion

The trend of combining Asian and European ingredients in mooncake fillings is creating a new wave of creativity in the culinary world. Combining matcha green tea and red beans, durian and mascarpone cheese, or black beans and chocolate, has resulted in mooncakes with unique flavors—both familiar and new.

4.2 Vegetarian Fillings and Variations Using Natural Ingredients

With the increasing focus on health, vegetarian mooncakes with variations using natural ingredients are becoming a popular choice. Fillings made from pure mung beans, lotus seeds, cashews, taro, or dried fruits offer a delicious, nutty flavor while providing essential nutrients. Vegetarian mooncakes are not just a tasty treat but also a smart choice for those who care about health and want to enjoy traditional flavors in a modern way.

5. Five Types of Mooncake Fillings at Annam Gourmet

At Annam Gourmet, each mooncake is a work of culinary art, offering diners unforgettable taste experiences. With a refined combination of premium ingredients and meticulous production processes, we proudly present unique mooncake fillings that promise to please even the most discerning customers:

Matcha With Dark Chocolate 75% Vegan Mooncake

The green tea and dark chocolate mooncake is sure to win over even the most selective of palates. It combines the subtle bitterness of matcha green tea with the rich sweetness of premium dark chocolate. This unique combination is a testament to the endless creativity of modern cuisine, where cultures merge and complement each other.

Coconut Cold Coffee With Baileys Mooncake 

Each bite of the coffee coconut mooncake with Baileys Irish Cream is a journey of unique flavors. The bitterness of the coffee is enveloped in creamy coconut, accented by the enticing aroma of Baileys, creating a delightful and sophisticated treat.

Caipo With Pork Floss 1 Yolk Mooncake

The Caipo With Pork Floss 1 Yolk Mooncake from Annam Gourmet is a unique fusion of traditional and savory flavors. It features a rich, salted egg yolk center symbolizing the moon, surrounded by a soft, sweet, and slightly chewy mooncake dough. What sets this mooncake apart is the addition of pork floss, a savory, shredded pork topping that complements the sweet and salty combination. The mooncake delivers a balanced taste experience, blending the umami of pork floss with the creamy texture of the egg yolk. It's perfect for those who enjoy unconventional yet delightful twists on traditional mooncake flavors.

Scallops & XO Sauce 1 Yolk Mooncake

The mixed seafood mooncake with scallop and salted egg yolk at Annam Gourmet takes you on a journey to the sea with every bite. You will taste the light sweetness of mung beans, the crunchy texture of various nuts, and the fresh sweetness of scallops, all blended harmoniously, delivering a truly unforgettable culinary experience.

Lotus Herbal Beauty Tea Vegetarian Mooncake (180g)

The Lotus Herbal Beauty Tea Vegetarian Mooncake (180g) from Annam Gourmet is a unique fusion of traditional mooncake and wellness tea ingredients.his mooncake is a balance of flavor and nourishment, offering a soft texture with a mildly sweet and herbal taste. The lotus herb adds a subtle floral note, while the beauty tea ingredients contribute to its rejuvenating qualities. Ideal for health-conscious individuals, the mooncake also reflects Annam Gourmet's commitment to providing high-quality, natural products.

 

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with these 5 unique mooncake fillings at Annam Gourmet. Each mooncake tells its own story, crafted from premium ingredients and the skill of our artisans. Each is a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, familiar ingredients, and unexpected innovations, promising to please every palate.

Contact Information - Annam Gourmet

• Website: https://shop.annam-gourmet.com/
• Hotline: 1900 636431
• Email: customerservice@annam-gourmet.com