Chinese Desserts, Cakes and Confectionery Recipes - Sweet Ginger Balls Recipe

Ingredients

• 450g/1lb strong plain (all-purpose) flour

• 30ml/2 tbsp butter

• 15ml.1 tbsp caster sugar

• 2.5ml/1/2 tsp salt

• 1 sachet easy-mix yeast

• 300ml/1 1/4 cups warm milk or water

• 25g/1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

• 50g/1/3 cup chopped mixed peel

• 50g/1/4 cup glace cherries

• 50g/1/3 cup dates, chopped

• 15ml/1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

• pinch of ground ginger

---

Method:

1. Sift the flour into a bowl. Run in the butter then add the sugar, salt and yeast.

2. Work in the warm milk or water and knead to a smooth dough. Cover and leave in  a warm place for 45 minutes.

3. Mix together all the dough and shape it into 18 small balls. Press them flat, spoon some of the mixture into each and close the dough around the filling.

4. Place the balls in a steamer basket, cover and leave to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

5. Simmer over slightly sweetened water for about 30 minutes.