Today I am recreating one of my favorite frozen desserts: durian mochi. It involves making a creamy durian filling then freezing it and wrapping it with homemade mochi. There is no baking involved and very little cooking so it is very hard to mess up. Even though it is frozen, the filling is still very soft and creamy.
Combine the durian, heavy cream, condensed milk, vanilla extract, and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend for 30-60 seconds until it is very smooth. If you are using a blender, you can use your blender's tamper to push the ingredients down.
Fill an ice cube tray or spherical silicone mold tray with the durian filling and let it freeze for at least 2 hours until solid.
Mochi Dough
Stovetop Method: In a saucepan, whisk together the glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water. Cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly for 2-3 minutes until it forms a thick and translucent dough. Let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes.
Microwave method: In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk together the glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water until smooth. Cover the bowl with a wet paper towel or plate slightly larger than the bowl. Microwave the mixture for one minute, then give it a good stir. Repeat this process three more times until the mochi is thick and translucent. Let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes.
Assemble
Lightly dust your work surface with some cornstarch. Place the dough on the surface and roll it into a ⅛-inch thick rectangle. Use a knife to cut the dough into 8-10 sections. See the picture in the blog post.
Take a piece of dough and place a piece of frozen filling in the center.
Pull the sides of the mochi over the filling to enclose it. Use your fingers to pinch the edges so there are no holes. Dust the mochi with cornstarch and use a pastry brush to remove any excess. You do not want too much starch on the outside or it will taste starchy.
Place the durian mochi seam-side down and repeat with the remaining mochi. When they are all wrapped, transfer them to the freezer for at least 15 minutes to firm up before serving. You can store the mochi in a plastic bag in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let them cool at room temperature for 10 minutes before eating.