Hotteok (Korean Sweet Filled Pancakes)

Method

1. 1
   • dry yeast7 g
   • white sugar3 tbsp
   • water2¼ dl

   Proof the yeast — Stir the lukewarm water together with 1 tbsp of the white sugar and the yeast in a large bowl. Leave it for about 10 minutes, until the surface is foamy and smells of bread.

   ⏱10 min
2. 2
   • wheat flour250 g
   • glutinous rice flour60 g
   • white sugar3 tbsp
   • salt1 tsp
   • vegetable oil4 tbsp

   Knead a soft dough — Add the wheat flour, glutinous rice flour, the rest of the white sugar, the salt and 1 tbsp of the oil. Mix to a soft, sticky dough, then knead it in the bowl for 3-4 minutes until it is smooth and comes away from your fingers in one piece.

3. 3

   Let the dough rise — Cover the bowl and leave the dough somewhere warm for about 1 hour, until it has doubled and the surface is visibly domed and bubbly.

   ⏱1 hr
4. 4
   • dry yeast7 g
   • brown sugar120 g
   • ground cinnamon2 tsp
   • walnuts60 g

   Mix the cinnamon filling — Meanwhile stir the brown sugar, cinnamon and chopped walnuts together in a small bowl. Keep the filling dry and loose — it only turns to syrup in the pan.

5. 5
   • vegetable oil4 tbsp

   Fill and seal the balls — Oil your hands well, knock the dough back and divide it into 8 pieces. Flatten each piece into a disc in your palm, spoon a heaped tablespoon of filling into the middle, then gather the edges up over the top and pinch them tightly shut into a sealed ball.

6. 6
   • vegetable oil4 tbsp

   Fry and press flat — Heat 1 tbsp oil in a heavy frying pan over medium heat. Lay in two balls seam-side down, cook for 30 seconds, then press each one flat to about 1 cm with a spatula. Fry 2-3 minutes per side, until deep golden and crisp where the syrup leaks and caramelises at the edge.

   ⏱5 min
7. 7
   • white sugar3 tbsp
   • vegetable oil4 tbsp

   Finish the batch and cool briefly — Lift them onto a rack and repeat with the rest, adding a little more oil for each batch. Let each hotteok stand for a minute before biting in — the sugar inside comes out molten.