Dorayaki with Custard Cream Filling

Dorayaki is a classic Japanese sweet made with two soft, pancake-like cakes sandwiched together with a sweet filling. In this version, the pancakes are filled with smooth homemade custard cream, creating a rich and comforting dessert that’s perfect for tea time, snacks, or special occasions.

Time Required

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: About 50 minutes (plus chilling time)

Ingredients

For the Pancakes

100g all-purpose flour

60g sugar

20g honey

30g milk, room temperature

2 eggs, room temperature

1g baking powder

For the Custard Filling

2 egg yolks

35g sugar

15g cake flour, sifted

200ml milk

1g vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Pancake Batter

Beat the Eggs

Place the eggs in a bowl and whisk until light and airy.

Add Sweeteners

Mix in the sugar and honey, stirring until fully blended.

Add Flour

Sift the flour and baking powder into the mixture and stir until smooth.

Add Milk

Pour in the milk and vanilla extract, mixing gently until the batter becomes silky.

Chill the Batter

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the batter for around 30 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Custard Cream

Mix Yolks and Sugar

Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until pale and creamy.

Add Flour

Stir in the sifted cake flour until no lumps remain.

Warm the Milk

Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until small bubbles appear around the edges. Avoid boiling.

Combine Carefully

Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture in several additions, stirring continuously to keep the eggs from scrambling.

Cook the Custard

Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat while stirring constantly. Continue until the custard thickens and becomes smooth.

Cool Completely

Transfer the custard to a shallow bowl, cover the surface with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator until cold.

Step 3: Cook the Dorayaki Pancakes

Heat the Pan

Lightly grease a non-stick frying pan and place it over low to medium heat.

Fry the Batter

Pour small rounds of batter into the pan. Once bubbles appear on the surface, flip each pancake and cook the other side until lightly golden.

Repeat until all the batter is used.

Step 4: Assemble the Dorayaki

Prepare the Filling

Once the custard has chilled completely, stir it until creamy and place it into a piping bag.

Fill the Pancakes

Pipe a generous amount of custard onto one pancake and top it with another pancake to form a sandwich.

Serve

Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat.

Helpful Tips

The custard should be thick and smooth enough to hold its shape after piping.

Chilling both the batter and custard improves the final texture.

Cook the pancakes slowly over gentle heat for even browning and softness.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator

Keep leftover dorayaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Freezer

The pancakes can be frozen without filling. Wrap each pancake individually and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Defrost before adding the custard.

Why This Recipe Is Worth Trying

Soft and Creamy

The fluffy pancakes paired with velvety custard create a delicious balance of texture and flavor.

Beginner-Friendly

The recipe uses simple ingredients and easy steps, making it suitable for cooks of any level.

Great for Any Occasion

These sweet treats work wonderfully as breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack.

Beautiful Presentation

Dorayaki looks elegant and impressive, making it ideal for serving guests or sharing with family and friends.

Final Thoughts

Custard-filled dorayaki is a delightful Japanese dessert that combines soft pancakes with rich, creamy filling. The sweet and fluffy texture makes every bite comforting and satisfying. Whether you make them for yourself or loved ones, these homemade dorayaki are sure to become a favorite treat. Enjoy!