Momiji Manju (Maple Leaf Cakes)

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Cakes cupcakes Medium

Soft honey sponge wraps a ball of smooth red bean paste. A maple leaf mold gives the classic shape; a mini muffin or madeleine pan makes a good stand-in. Makes 12 cakes in about 1 hr 4 min.

Prep 30 min

Cook 14 min

Cooling 20 min

Total 1 hr 4 min

Servings 12

Ingredients

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servings

2 (100 g)eggs
⅓ cup (70 g)granulated sugar
1 tbsp (20 g)honey
¾ cup (100 g)all-purpose flour
½ tsp (2 g)baking powder
2 tbsp (30 ml)whole milk
9 oz (250 g)smooth red bean paste (koshi-an)
½ tbsp (10 g)unsalted butter, melted, for the pan

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Instructions

Whisk the eggs, sugar and honey over a bowl of warm water until just warm, then beat on high 5 to 6 minutes until pale and thick enough to leave a ribbon.
Sift in the flour and baking powder and fold gently. Fold in the milk.
Cover and rest the batter 20 minutes.
Heat the oven to 350 F (175 C). Brush a maple leaf mold, madeleine pan or mini muffin tin with butter.
Roll the bean paste into 12 balls of about 20 g.
Fill each cavity halfway with batter, press in a bean paste ball and cover with more batter.
Bake 12 to 14 minutes, until golden and springy.
Cool 2 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips

Fold flour in gently; the foam gives the soft texture.
Make sure the bean paste is fully covered to avoid leaks.
Buy smooth bean paste or make your own from adzuki beans.
Good with green tea.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make momiji manju (maple leaf cakes)?

Plan on 30 minutes of prep and 14 minutes of cooking, plus 20 minutes to chill. The recipe makes 12 cakes (12 servings).

How should I store momiji manju (maple leaf cakes)?

Keep airtight at room temperature up to 2 days; best on the day baked.

Can I make momiji manju (maple leaf cakes) ahead?

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

A maple-leaf-shaped cake from Hiroshima's Miyajima island, made of sponge batter around sweet red bean paste. Serve it with green tea.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

122 Calories / serving

1.1g Fat

25.2g Carbs

3.1g Protein

15.7g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~1464 cal · 13g fat · 302g carbs · 37g protein · 188g sugar

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