Snow days and Mochi ice cream recipe.

"Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness.” 
― Mary Oliver

Today the sun is finally out. It's been out the last few days, but it has been staying hidden behind the clouds. Today we are so fortunate to see the sun shining so brightly and beautifully. We had a few days of snow—quite a bit of snow!

During our snowy days, we enjoyed warm drinks, snuggle time, books, board games, and Mochi ice cream. It's ice cream wrapped in sweet flour dough. It's delicious and so easy to prepare.

Ingredients

1/2 cup of Mochiko sweet rice flour (You can find this flour in most Asian markets).

3/4 cup of water

1/4 cup of sugar

Corn Starch

Ice cream (Any ice cream will work. I used strawberry flavor ice cream).

Optional: Food coloring. This is actually added to the flour mix. It makes it fun! I used a little bit of red food coloring.

Cupcake liners

Cupcake pan

Plastic wrap

Cutting Board

Rolling pin

Scissors

Knife

Large Bowl (Microwave-safe bowl)

Ice cream scoop/measuring spoon (tablespoon)

Preparing your ice cream

Start by scooping out your ice cream. I actually used a measuring spoon for this. Doing this scoops your ice cream into small ice cream balls.

Next, you will want to scoop each ice cream ball into your cupcake liner. I scooped out about 10 ice cream balls. Once this step is complete, you will want to place your cupcake pan with your ice cream in the freezer. Leave them in the freezer for an hour.

Preparing your sweet rice flour dough

Mix your sweet rice flour and water in a bowl. Give it a gentle mix until everything is smooth. Next, add your sugar. Continue mixing.

At this point, everything will be completely mixed together. This next step is completely optional, but if you want, you can add just a little bit of food coloring. I used just a tiny bit of red food coloring. My oldest daughter wanted it to go with the Valentine's theme we have been working on.

Next, take your microwave-safe bowl and cover the top with plastic wrap. Place your flour mixture into the microwave for 2 minutes. Remove your bowl from the microwave, and make sure to grab it with a kitchen towel. Your bowl may be hot, and also be careful when removing the plastic wrap. Remove your plastic wrap and give it another stir. Cover again, and add it back into the microwave for 30 seconds.

Finally, remove your bowl from the microwave. Your dough should be shiny and ready for the next step. While preparing for the next step, I left my plastic wrap off. This will help cool your dough.

Preparing to roll out the flour

Take some plastic wrap and cover the top portion of your cutting board. Take a generous amount of cornstarch and apply some on top of the plastic wrap. This will keep your dough from sticking to the surface.

You'll also want to apply some to your rolling pin. Next, remove your dough from the bowl. It may still be hot, but hopefully, by this point, it has cooled down some. Place your dough on the cutting board. Again, take some cornstarch and apply some on the dough. This really helps when rolling out the dough.

You're ready to start rolling out your dough. Once your dough is rolled out into a nice thin layer, you'll want to take a knife and make even 3-inch square pieces.

Next, take some scissors and cut each square piece out through the plastic wrap.

Place your square pieces on a plate and place them in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.

While you wait, grab a book and a warm drink!


Preparing to wrap your ice cream

Take both your ice cream and dough out. Quickly take a layer of your mochi dough and ice cream. Wrap the dough over your ice cream, making sure that the mochi dough is completely wrapped around the ice cream ball. If you have extra on top, you can take your scissors and cut that portion off. Leave the plastic wrap on and place it back into the cupcake liner. You'll do this for each one.

Once you're done, place it in the freezer for about an hour. If you want a softer, chewier dough, leave it in for 20 minutes.

**Note**
If you are enjoying these right out of the freezer, place them on a plate and let them sit for a minute or two. This will help soften them up a bit.


Is it snowing where you live? What are some activities you enjoy doing on snow days? :)

Enjoy.

-Stephanie