Hodu-Gwaja Korean Walnut Cakes

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Pastries doughnuts Medium

Small golden walnut-shaped cakes made from a walnut-flecked batter with sweet red bean paste and walnut inside. They are cooked in a special mold. Makes 10 cakes in about 45 minutes.

Prep 20 min

Cook 25 min

Total 45 min

Servings 10

Ingredients

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servings

1 ⅓ cups (150 g)cake flour
¾ tsp (3 g)baking powder
¼ cup (50 g)granulated sugar
1 pinch (1 g)fine salt
1 (50 g)egg
½ cup (120 ml)whole milk
1 ½ tbsp (20 g)unsalted butter, melted
3 ½ tbsp (25 g)walnuts, finely ground, for the batter
5 ½ oz (150 g)sweet red bean paste
⅓ cup (40 g)walnuts, coarsely chopped, for the filling
1 tbsp (15 g)melted butter, for the mold

Fresh ingredient guides

WalnutsHow to pick, season & nutrition · 219 kcal per 30 g

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Instructions

Whisk the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Whisk the egg, milk and melted butter in another bowl, combine, then stir in the ground walnuts. Rest 15 minutes.
Heat a hodu-gwaja mold over low heat and brush both sides with melted butter.
Pour batter to fill each cavity about 60 percent.
Place 1 tablespoon bean paste and some chopped walnuts in each, then cover with more batter.
Close and cook over medium-low heat for 4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
Remove, let cool 5 minutes, and trim any excess. Repeat with remaining batter.
Serve warm.

Tips

Keep the heat low so the center cooks.
Use a thick bean paste so it does not leak.
Eat them fresh.
Good with hot tea.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make hodu-gwaja korean walnut cakes?

Plan on 20 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking. The recipe makes 10 cakes (10 servings).

How should I store hodu-gwaja korean walnut cakes?

Best the same day; refrigerate up to 2 days and reheat in a dry pan.

Can I make hodu-gwaja korean walnut cakes ahead?

It is at its best the day it is made; prepare it a few hours before serving.

Hodu-gwaja originated in Cheonan in 1934 and is shaped like a walnut. Serve it with hot tea.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 10 servings this recipe makes.

179 Calories / serving

8.7g Fat

23.0g Carbs

3.1g Protein

17.0g Sugar

Whole recipe (10 servings): ~1790 cal · 87g fat · 230g carbs · 31g protein · 170g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.