Mochi-Stuffed Jujubes (Soft Hearts)

Step 1

Working one at a time, make a lengthwise cut on12 dried jujubesall the way to the center; carefully remove pits without breaking them, leaving as much flesh intact as possible. Place pits in a medium saucepan; set aside. Set jujubes aside separately.

Step 2

Combine6 Tbsp. mochiko(sweet rice flour) and 3 Tbsp. room-temperature water in a medium bowl and mix and press with your hands until a dough forms. Form dough into small balls that are slightly smaller than your jujubes (about 1 tsp. or ½" in diameter), then gently roll balls into fat cylinders. Place a cylinder in the center of each reserved jujube, gently pressing sides to ensure good contact between dough and jujube. (Extra dough can be made into little mochi balls and cooked in syrup.)

Step 3

Place½ cup raw sugarorlight brown sugar,½ tsp. dried osmanthus flower, and 2 cups water in reserved saucepan with pits (using the pits here will add more jujube flavor to the syrup). Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and let simmer until sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Add stuffed jujubes and reduce heat. Simmer gently, adjusting heat as needed, until jujubes float to the surface and mochi is slightly puffed, 10–13 minutes. Remove from heat; fish out and discard pits.

Step 4

Immediately arrange stuffed jujubes on a plate or in a shallow bowl. Drizzle syrup over and top with more dried osmanthus flower. (For a cold and chewier treat, combine jujubes and syrup in an airtight container, cover, and chill at least 20 minutes and up to 2 days.)