By Renton’s own Kat Lieu

This Mochi Waffle Holiday Tree Recipe is an excerpt from “Modern Asian Baking at Home: Essential Sweet and Savory Recipes for Milk Bread, Mochi, Mooncakes, and More; Inspired by the Subtle Asian Baking Community.”

“Looking for a bright and cheery dish that’s perfect during the holidays? Stack these thick and chewy pandan mochi waffles to resemble an evergreen tree,” said Renton cookbook author, Kat Lieu. “Garnish this “tree” as desired and have fun with this quick, easy, and festive recipe. Then surprise a loved one with it!”

Ingredients

Waffle Batter:

1 cup (235 g) full-fat coconut milk

1 teaspoon instant yeast

11/2 cups (180 g) glutinous rice flour

2 tablespoons (about 16 g) tapioca flour

1/3 cup (67 g) granulated sugar

3 eggs (about 150 g)

6 tablespoons (85 g) butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 to 2 teaspoons colored pandan extract

Pinch of salt

Miso Caramel Sauce:

1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar

100 g butter, (a little less than 1 stick), cubed

60 g coconut milk

1 tablespoon miso

For the optional toppings:

Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Whipped cream

Fruits of choice

Edible sprinkles

Yield: 1 waffle holiday tree

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Directions

Mix the waffle batter.

Add all the waffle batter ingredients to a blender, starting with the eggs and other wet ingredients before adding the dry ingredients.

Mix on low speed until a smooth batter forms.

Cover and refrigerate for 60 minutes.

Make the miso caramel sauce.

Heat the sugar in a heavy saucepan over low heat for about 15 minutes, until melted and caramelized.

Mix in the butter and stir until combined and smooth.

Add in the coconut milk and continuously whisk as it simmers for about 2 minutes, until the caramel thickens.

Mix in the miso and stir until incorporated.

Remove from heat and transfer to a jar. Cover and cool.

Preheat the waffle iron or bubble-waffle iron. Spray with cooking spray, and pour 2/3 cup of batter (or the amount recommended by the manufacturer) onto the center of the iron.

Close the lid and cook for the recommended amount of time (following the instructions by the manufacturer) until the waffle is golden and cooked thoroughly.

Repeat with the remaining batter. Cool completely.

Assemble the waffle holiday tree.

Place 1 waffle on a serving plate.

Cut a second waffle so that it is slightly smaller than the first waffle.

Cut a third waffle so it is slightly smaller than the second waffle.

Cut the fourth waffle, so it is slightly smaller than the third waffle.

Stack the waffles on top of each other in size order.

Save a small piece of waffle to top the stack.

Drizzle the miso caramel sauce over the waffles.

Garnish and decorate with your choice of optional toppings. Finally for a snowy look, dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Tip: Feel free to substitute the miso caramel sauce with syrup or another liquid sweetener.