The Japanese tradition of celebrating fresh Sakura or cherry blossoms every year when the streets glisten with breathtaking views of pink blooms has captured the hearts of many around the US. When the fresh spring blooms engulf almost every landscape, it gives a perfect opportunity to bring some flowery twigs home and craft delectable recipes to relish the spirit of spring.
Several Japanese Spring festival treats feature Sakura blooms in delightful and creative ways that seem like works of art. From fresh sakura salad to melt-in-your-mouth sakura mochi, every recipe represents Spring at its best.
Make sure to capture this bountiful cherry blossom spring delight this spring before it goes away all too soon.
7 Cherry Blossom Recipes To Celebrate Spring
1) Cherry Blossom Crepe Roll - Kanto Sakura Mochi
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Cherry blossom crepe roll, also called Kanto Sakura Mochi from East Japan, consists of a thin pancake-like layer around a sweet filling often made with bean paste. The small crepes are made with flour, rice powder, pickled sakura petals, sugar, water, sweet bean paste, and some oil. Then it is wrapped with sakura leaves for serving.
2) Domyo-ji Sakura Mochi
Domyo-ji Sakura Mochi recipe comes from Eastern Japan. This treat features a soft rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste wrapped in pickled cherry blossom leaves. The wrapping of the leaf adds a floral fragrance and flavour to the treat, creating a perfect springtime recipe.
3) Cherry Blossom Pound Cake
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Cherry blossom pound cake delights taste buds with its moist and fluffy texture infused with flavonoids of fresh cherry blossom. The main ingredients are butter, sugar, eggs, and flour, and cherry blossom extracts and petals add the flavour. Topping with a light glaze or sugar adds to the appeal.
4) Cherry Blossom Filled Buns - Sakura Anpan
Sakura Anpan are sweet buns filled with sweet red bean paste with cherry blossom flavour. This traditional Japanese treat has a subtle floral aroma and a touch of saltiness, complementing the sweetness of the red bean paste. The flaky texture of the buns adds more joy to the experience.
5) Cherry Blossom Cocktail
Cherry Blossom Cocktail is a perfect drink to capture the spring in a martini glass. It's a tangy concoction of cherry jam, gin, lemon, and vanilla-infused vermouth, complemented by cherry blossoms. The vanilla cherry blossom vermouth adds sweetness to the mix, creating a refreshing drink perfect for sipping in the springtime breeze.
6) Cherry Blossom Rice Cake - Kansai Style
Kansai-style sakura mochi is chewier than other sakura mochi. It is made with soft rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom leaf. This variation typically has a sweeter taste than other styles.
7) Cherry Blossom Steamed Cakes - Sakura Ukishima
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Sakura Ukishima, also known as Cherry Blossom Steamed Cakes, are soft, spongy cakes made from a batter of flour, sugar, and eggs. They are flavoured with cherry blossom extract or garnished with pickled cherry blossoms. The cake is cooked by steaming and creates a fluffy texture.
You can use pickled sakura blossoms to make many other desserts and drinks, but these recipes are a must-try if you want to enjoy a festive feast. With subtle, sweet, and floral notes, cherry blossoms will be your favourite spring ingredient after trying these recipes.