🥡 Chinese · Dessert · Medium difficulty · Vegetarian
Caramel Sesame Balls
A vibrant Chinese dessert built around caramel, seasoned with glutinous rice flour and sugar.
- Prep time
- 14 min
- Cook time
- 31 min
- Total time
- 45 min
- Servings
- 8
- Calories
- 446 kcal
- Protein
- 8 g
- Carbs
- 42 g
- Fat
- 27 g
- Course
- Dessert
About this Chinese dessert
Caramel Sesame Balls is a Chinese dessert built around caramel sauce. It takes about 45 min from start to finish, 14 minutes of prep and 31 minutes of cooking, and serves 8.
Cooking method: dessert. Difficulty is rated medium. Vegetarian.
Good for: party & sharing, kid friendly.
Ingredients
Quantities are for 8 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 2 cups glutinous rice flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds
- Oil for frying
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Method
Step 1. Prepare the caramel: chop, zest or purée it as needed.
- Heat
- Off, no heat yet
- Look for
- Pieces are roughly the same size, so they all finish cooking together.
- Why it matters
- Even pieces cook at the same speed. Prepping everything first (mise en place) stops you scrambling once the pan is hot.
- Avoid
- Cutting pieces of mixed sizes: small ones burn while big ones stay raw.
Step 2. Mix the glutinous rice flour, sugar and sesame seeds until smooth and well combined.
- Heat
- Off, no heat
- Look for
- Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
- Why it matters
- Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
- Avoid
- Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.
Step 3. Fold in the caramel gently, then cook, bake or chill as the dish requires, about 19 minutes.
- Heat
- Keep the heat steady
- Look for
- The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
- Why it matters
- Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
- Avoid
- Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.
Step 4. Taste and adjust the sweetness.
- Heat
- Off, no heat
- Look for
- Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
- Why it matters
- Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
- Avoid
- Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.
Step 5. Let it cool or set for at least 10 minutes.
- Heat
- Off, let it sit
- Look for
- Steam slows, juices settle and the dish firms up slightly.
- Why it matters
- Resting lets juices redistribute and flavours settle, and the food is easier to slice and eat.
- Avoid
- Skipping the rest: juices run out and the dish falls apart.
Step 6. Decorate with hot water and serve.
- Heat
- Warm plates
- Look for
- Hot food on warm plates with a fresh, bright garnish on top.
- Why it matters
- Garnish adds colour, crunch and freshness. Tasting and adjusting salt or acid at the end lifts the whole dish.
- Avoid
- Waiting too long: the dish cools and crisp parts go soft.
Chef's tip
Use ripe ingredients for natural sweetness.
Equipment you will need
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or spatula
- Serving glasses or dish
Nutrition per serving
Estimated per serving: 446 kcal, 8 g protein, 42 g carbohydrate and 27 g fat. Roughly 7% of the energy comes from protein, 38% from carbohydrate and 55% from fat, using standard energy values.
Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.
When to cook Caramel Sesame Balls
Substitutions and variations
- Use plant milk and vegan butter for a dairy-free version.
- Cutting sugar by 20-25% works in many bakes, though texture may change slightly.
- Serve at room temperature or chilled so the flavours come through.
Frequently asked questions about Caramel Sesame Balls
How long does Caramel Sesame Balls take to make?
It takes about 45 min in total: 14 minutes of prep and 31 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving has about 446 kcal, with 8 g protein, 42 g carbohydrate and 27 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 8 servings.
Is Caramel Sesame Balls gluten-free?
It is not marked gluten-free in our data. Use certified gluten-free alternatives for any sauces or stocks if you need to avoid gluten.
Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
Yes, it is vegetarian: no meat, poultry or fish.
How difficult is it to cook?
It is a medium-difficulty recipe: it needs some timing and several steps, so read through the method before you start.
Can I make Caramel Sesame Balls ahead or freeze it?
Best eaten fresh, because crisp or fresh textures do not survive storage. Prepare components ahead instead, and store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 2 days.
How many servings does it make?
This recipe makes 8 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.