The Mid-autumn festival ( 中秋節 ) or where the locals here call it the Mooncake festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth moon of the Chinese calendar which will be on 3rd October this year.
According to Chinese history, the Han Chinese overthrew the Mongols in the 14th century by hiding secret messages in mooncakes which started a rebellion that eventually led to the downfall of the dynasty.
The moon will be at its fullest on this day and this represents the fullness and completeness of the family. The Chinese traditionally celebrate this festival with family gatherings where mooncakes are served and lanterns are lit.
Mooncakes of so many flavors and lanterns are on sale at all shopping outlets. A single mooncake normally costs more than RM10 and it will be more economical if you can make your own mooncake. All ingredients for making mooncakes and attractive mooncake molds and even decorative boxes ( in case you want to present them to family members and friends) can be bought from bakery shops selling baking ingredients ( one example is "Bake with Yen").
I have made some mooncakes which does not need baking and it is just so easy and simple.

Here is the recipe for those want to save costs.
Ping Pei Mooncake
Ingredients:
150 gm fried glutinous rice flour (Kou fun)
160 gm icing sugar
30 gm vegetable shortening ( i used extra virgin olive oil)
150 gm cooled boiled water
1/2 tsp banana or pandan essence
green food coloring (optional)

Filling: 700 gm lotus seed paste

Method:
1. Sieve flour and icing sugar, make a well in the center, add olive oil, water and essence. Mix well and knead to form a smooth dough, leave to proof for 1/2 hour. Divide into equal portions.
2. Flatten dough and wrap with lotus seed filling. Sprinkle with some flour, place dough into the mold, press and tap it out. Serve.


I bought this chocolate cheese mooncake at RM12.45. The ingredients consists of lotus seed, cheese, cocoa powder, sugar, peanut oil, flour, water and permitted flavoring. Ingenious way of using the cheese as the egg yolk.

Labels: Asian, homemade mooncakes