My recipe for Better For You Butter Mochi is a butter mochi recipe that I adapted to be as tasty as possible using just enough of the sweet, rich, and delicious ingredients to make a tasty treat. This post was updated with minor edits on June 22, 2023.
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During one of our trips to Hawaii, I bought a fundraiser cookbook, 50th Anniversary Best of Our Favorite Recipes published by the Maui Association for Family and Community Education. I love cookbooks with recipes by everyone’s grandmother and auntie, showcasing traditional and everyday recipes such as malasadas, pork adobo, and laulau. I did do a double take and chuckled when I read “Garbage Cookies,” “Sex in a Pan”, such creative recipe names. 😉 As I flip through the cookbook, part of me longs for a record of recipes from my mom and dad, my aunts, and my grandmother and that longing inspires me to I continue on with my project to write recipes for my children, which I happily share with my Nut Free Wok readers.
I don’t recall eating butter mochi as a child but grew to love it while spending time with Japanese-American friends who were from Hawaii. Butter mochi is a Hawaiian style dessert made with sweet glutinous rice flour baked with coconut milk or cow’s milk, eggs, butter, and coconut. I decided to try making butter mochi many years ago because my mother in law loves it and now my children enjoy it too.
Making it healthier:
Most traditional butter mochi recipes involve coconut milk, whole milk. 5 eggs, 1 stick of butter, 2 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 cup shredded coconut, all of which are super rich for 24 servings! So through the years I’ve made many variations of butter mochi. Instead of using two cans of coconut milk, I use fat free coconut milk. Instead of using any coconut milk, I use fat-free evaporated milk. How would it taste with half the sugar? How would it taste with 4 eggs, with 3 eggs? Can I get away with less butter? I’ve tried using as little as 2 tablespoons which is okay but 4 tablespoons is just enough for a wonderful aroma and a crispy crust when eaten while still warm and fresh from the oven. I am very happy with this lightened up recipe that tastes like a treat.
Allergy Aware Asian Fare suggestions:
If coconut is not an allergen concern, then use the canned coconut milks. I personally like using the reduced fat coconut milk from Trader Joe’s (as discussed in another post, call Trader Joe’s to check about your family’s allergens before using). Native Forest produces an Organic Coconut Milk (affiliate), you can download the allergen table on Edwards & Son’s website. If one doesn’t want to use coconut, then substitute with two cans of non-fat evaporated milk (NOT the thick sweetened condensed milk) or other equivalent dairy substitute.
Eggs makes the butter mochi airy and you will see that it looks puffy toward the end of the baking time in the oven. This last time I made it, I had no eggs in my refrigerator and an egg substitute worked perfectly. I used Ener-G Egg Replacer (affiliate) but I’m sure the oil, water, and baking powder substitute (1.5 tablespoons oil, 1.5 tablespoons water, 1 teaspoon baking powder and mix together = 1 whole egg) would work just as well to leaven the butter mochi. To avoid strong aftertastes, I use the equivalent of 2 eggs rather than 3. My younger son who is allergic to eggs tried it for the first time and his response makes my efforts so worthwhile:
“Mmmm….Wow….This is better than I thought it would be….Can I have another piece?”
Milk is not one of our family’s allergens, but since I’ve made butter mochi at least a dozen different ways with reasonable success, I think you could make it with any dairy substitute of your choice. You just need 3 cups of liquid soy milk, rice milk, coconut milk, etc. and a milk allergy safe butter substitute. I have had great results with other recipes and like the taste of Earth Balance’s Buttery Sticks, it is peanut and tree nut free but it contains soy.
As mentioned in my post about Chinese New Year rice cake, I recommend using Mochiko sweet rice flour by Koda Farms (affiliate). Koda Farms’ website has an allergen statement (top 8 allergen and gluten free). Even if one doesn’t have food allergies, it’s a superior product and grandmother approved.
Better For You Butter Mochi
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter or non-dairy butter alternative
- 3/4 cup sugar (organic) use a little more if using regular sugar
- 2 cans of non-fat evaporated milk (12 oz each) or 2 cans of coconut milk or 3 cups of milk allergy safe substitute
- 3 eggs beatened (or egg substitute of choice for *2* eggs)
- 1 box Koda Farms sweet rice flour 16 ounce
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup grated coconut optional, additional 1/4 cup for garnishing if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F and spray a 13 x 9 glass baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Microwave the butter in a large bowl, 30 seconds at a time until it is 75% melted (a quick stir will melt it the rest of the way).
- Add sugar, evaporated milk (or coconut milk or milk substitute), and eggs (or egg substitute) and beat with a mixer on low for 1 minute.
- Add rice flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, salt, and grated coconut (if desired) and beat with a mixer until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
- Pour into the baking dish and bake for 1 hour, or until golden brown.
- Allow to cool and cut into 24 pieces.
Recipe Notes
1 box of sweet rice flour is 1 pound (464 grams)
The calorie count is an approximation and includes coconut, which is optional.
Party theme ideas:
I had previously shared recipes for Sweet Cucumbers, Kalua Pork, Turkey Spam Musubi, and this Hawaiian dessert would round out the theme. Cut up some pineapples and you can host a Hawaiian themed party!
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This recipe is a family favorite and and an expected dish from us at family potlucks. So glad we found this recipe on your website!
Thank you so much, I’m so honored that it’s become a family favorite in your family gatherings!
Hi Sharon,
Have you ever tried making this with pumpkin puree for the fall? I’m hoping it is ok to substitute a 14 oz can for some of the coconut milk.
Hi Faith!! I actually have a recipe for pumpkin mochi muffins. I did try using pumpkin puree in place of some of the milk or coconut milk, but it was a little bit too sticky over several tests. They were perfect as muffin sized treats.
This is our go to recipe for Butter Mochi now! It never fails us! Thank you, Sharon!!!
Thank you so much for your great feedback, enjoy the recipe Faith!!
Hi Sharon, My daughter and I just made a batch of your Butter Mochi using Trader Joe’s Coconut Cream (dairy allergy) and it’s is so yummy! My favorites are the corner pieces that are crunchy on the outside and chewy inside! Thank you for this awesome recipe!
You’re welcome Faith!!! So glad you and your daughter enjoyed this recipe! Congrats to your family BTW, so happy for her milestone.
Super interested in trying this recipe! Are the calories per serving?
It’s about 210 calories per serving. I try to add the calorie info in the recipe cards but there might be some that I missed, feel free to let me know if you don’t see it.
Thank you so much for this delicious recipe, Sharon. I have to be on a special diet due to some health issues, so I am thrilled that I found your website.
You’re welcome! Enjoy the recipe and be well. <3
I’ve made this several times with coconut milk and it’s delicious!
Thank you Vicki! It’s a wonderful recipe, one of my favorites. <3
Question- how big are your cans of evaporated milk. I’m in Canada so the cans might be a different size
Thanks
Good question! Typically 12 ounces, I should update my recipe to clarify. Thanks!!
I was looking for a dairy free butter mochi recipe and came across this one. It was wonderful! Thank you Sharon!
Whooo-hoo! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe, isn’t it amazing? I love this recipe, all the yum, less guilt, and easy to adapt.
If I’m using a different brand of rice flour, do you have measurements for the amount of rice flour?
It’s one pound, about 3.5 cups. HTH
Made this today with my kids and it’s amazing!!! Wow!! I ordered that flour from Amazon. I’ve never eaten anything like this so thank you for introducing my family to coconut deliciousness ?
Aloha, I’d like to try your recipe using brown sugar as that’s what I usually use. Have you tried it with brown sugar? I also would like to try almond milk but it seems runny. Ihave never made this before but love to eat it. Your recipe sounds fabulous!
I think it will be fine with brown sugar. You could also try it with almond milk but maybe use less. If you happen to share the mochi with anyone, be sure to let them know that you made it with almond milk, in case they have a nut allergy.
Hi Sharon,
I love the sound of a reduced calorie butter mochi, so was wondering if I can substitute Splendora for the sugar?
I don’t use sugar substitutes so I have no experience with it. You might need to experiment with using the splendora product.
Hi Sharon! My son and I made this yesterday for dessert for our japanese Christmas Eve dinner. It was so good! We used coconut milk and included the shredded coconut. We will definitely be making this again! Thanks so much for the recipe.
That’s awesome! Happy New Year, Robin!
This recipe is awesome. I am vegan and used vegan butter and a flax egg in the recipe instead. No one was the wiser. Brought it for a class picnic and all of the kids loved it. Thank you for the recipe!
What a great idea to make it even better by using a vegan butter and flax egg (I’ve never tried flax egg, glad to know that it works)! And I love to hear when the recipes are kid-approved. Thanks for taking the time to share Heather! 🙂
I made it! The whole family loved it! Do you dress it up any certain way? I got pretty fancy and ate a substantial amount right out the pan ? it was delicious!
So AWESOME, Jackie!!! Isn’t it an amazing dessert? It’s usually just served as is like a brownie, cut and serve.
My go-to mochi recipe, you are the best!
Whooo-hoo! Thanks for the compliment! 🙂
I’m not sure what size to get of the canned coconut milk. Do you know how many oz are in each can?
I don’t have a can handy at home to check for you, but I estimate that they are about 14-16 ounces.
I will try it today and was also wondering if u had a brownie buttermchi version ? My son likes it and it’s his 7th birthday in a couple days and wanted to make it for him. ?
Thank u so much for ur time and care!
Ash
Oooo, a brownie buttermochi sounds really good. I will have to try it sometime. Should I make it “regular” or “better for you” style, haha! Happy birthday to your son! 7 is great!
Sharon, ur posting is awesome. Im addicted to buttermochi but know it’s rich and as a result don’t endulge as often as I’d like so when I found ur site it was like I’d died and gone to heaven ! Ur the best !
You’re welcome! The better for you mochi recipe is a game changer! 😉 My friends totally love it when I make it for potlucks and parties.
I just made this recipe today and I love it! I never had butter mochi before so I don’t know how it normally tastes, but it probably would be way too sweet and heavy for me anyway. I used organic honey in place of the sugar and reduced the amount of coconut milk by 1/3 cup. Yum!!
I am so glad your adaptations worked, sounds so yummy! 🙂
Original buttermochi is not too sweet or heavy at all. U seriously have never tried it? It’s beyond amazing
Oooo, yes I have. It’s one of those “a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips” kind of experiences. I just cannot indulge like that anymore.
Make this. Now. You won’t regret it!
This is the ultimate recipe to accommodate some of the most frequently occurring child allergens.
I’ve made this recipes 5 times in the past two weeks for my son’s nursery cooking class. We had to avoid peanut, tree nuts (but not coconut), dairy, and egg amongst other things, and this recipe did the trick. It’s a really forgiving recipe too so for instance you can use light coconut milk or full fat coconut milk and it will still taste yummy.
Some observations
1) In my initial batch I used 3/4 cup coconut sugar and it turned out too dark and too sticky. Subsequent batches with 1 cup organic cane sugar was perfect.
2) I’ve used dairy free and soy free Earth Balance butter substitute successfully
3) I tried substituting the 1/2 cup coconut with 1/2 cup chocolate chips as another poster suggested. It didn’t taste quite right and I think coconut is better BUT the kids thought it was fine (I think it’s because kids like all things chocolate!)
Hi Lauren, thanks for sharing your feedback and I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Good to know that coconut sugar didn’t work as well, I’ve never baked with it before so I wouldn’t have known.
These look delightful!
G’day This looks delish and wish I could try this now! Pinned
Cheers! Joanne
Hope you will like to share some of your other recipes at my new Say Gday Party…can link up to 3!
We substituted the grated coconut for vegan chocolate chips and they turned out so good! My husband thinks this one tastes much better than the original (and so much healthier)! At first my daughter thought it was okay but today she was chowing down on it. Between the three of us, we ate half the pan already! I can’t wait to share the recipe with my mom… She loves the original recipe but doesn’t like that it required so much sugar! Thank you! And Happy New Year to you too!
P.S. Another place that sells Koda Farms mochiko flour is at the commissary (if you know anyone who can get on a military base).
Oh, I love the idea of adding vegan chocolate chips! That takes it to a whole new level, what a great idea! Isn’t it great when a healthy, allergy friendly version tastes better than the original recipes? And I love it when a recipe is grandmother approved! 😉
Excited to make this with my daughter tomorrow. She has an egg and dairy allergy so she has never been able to enjoy butter mochi. Thank you so much!
Hi Lisa! Whoo-hoo! Let me know what your daughter thinks. Happy new year!
Hi Sharon, just found your blog while searching for mochi cake recipe. I wonder how many grams of mochiko is one box koda farm sweet rice flour….I live in the UK and they’re not available here but can get some mochi ko from the japanese shops. Looking forward to hear back from you. Thank you.
Hi, great question! 1 box is equivalent to 1 pound (454 g). Enjoy!
Hi there, I just tried this recipe(with great success, they’re delicious), and I was curious as to whether or not you refrigerated your mochi? When I tried them in Hawaii, they did not, and so I’m likely not going to either but I thought I might inquire as to whether or not doing so ruined the texture because it will likely take me many days to eat through that much mochi.
Hi Mason, I don’t refrigerate the mochi but it does go bad after a few days! I usually try to either share the mochi with friends or make it for an event. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for your question!
Safeway sells it. white box with the words mochiko check in the ethnic section.
Good tip, Sharon. There isn’t one near our house but there is one right near where my husband works. Maybe I can get him to stop in.
Fantastic, let me know how it works out, Vivian! 🙂
Sharon, looks good. I would love to try this. I have not been successful in finding Koda a Farms sweet rice flour. Where do you purchase the flour? Has anyone in the S. F. Valley found this?
Hi Vivian, you can find their flours at most Asian markets, especially a Japanese market. Do you have a Nijiya in your area? Koda Farms also has instructions on ordering their products via mail.