MOCHI BUTTER CAKE
Mochi Butter Cake Recipe – Chewy, Buttery & Deliciously Soft
This Mochi Butter Cake is a wonderfully chewy, buttery, and tender dessert with lightly golden edges and a soft, bouncy center. Made with glutinous rice flour, this Hawaiian-inspired treat has a unique texture that's completely different from traditional cake.
If you love mochi and buttery desserts, this easy butter mochi cake is a recipe you need to try. It's rich without being overly complicated, requires simple ingredients, and comes together in one bowl with minimal effort.
Perfect for parties, holidays, potlucks, afternoon snacks, or simply satisfying a sweet craving, this chewy cake is delicious served warm or at room temperature.
Why You'll Love This Mochi Butter Cake
- Chewy and soft: Glutinous rice flour creates the signature mochi texture.
- Rich and buttery: Melted butter gives the cake an irresistible flavor.
- Golden edges: The edges become lightly crisp while the center stays chewy.
- Easy to make: No complicated baking techniques are required.
- One-bowl friendly: The batter comes together quickly with minimal cleanup.
- Perfect for sharing: Cut it into squares for parties and gatherings.
Ingredients for Mochi Butter Cake
- 1 box (16 oz) glutinous rice flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 can (13.4 oz) coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
How to Make Mochi Butter Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper for easier removal.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, coconut milk, and vanilla extract.
Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Add the glutinous rice flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture.
Whisk until the batter is completely smooth and no large lumps remain.
The batter will be relatively thin compared with traditional cake batter. This is normal.
Step 4: Pour Into the Pan
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
Gently tap the pan on the counter a couple of times to release any large air bubbles.
Step 5: Bake the Mochi Cake
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 50–60 minutes.
The top should become golden brown and the center should be set.
A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean, although a few moist crumbs are perfectly fine.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan.
For the cleanest slices and best chewy texture, allow the cake to cool completely before cutting.
Step 7: Slice and Serve
Cut the cooled mochi butter cake into squares or rectangles.
Serve at room temperature or slightly warm.
What Is Mochi Butter Cake?
Mochi butter cake, often called butter mochi, is a popular Hawaiian-style dessert made with glutinous rice flour.
Unlike traditional cakes made with wheat flour, glutinous rice flour gives this dessert its characteristic chewy, elastic texture.
Butter, coconut milk, and evaporated milk add richness and create a tender interior, while the surface develops a beautiful golden color during baking.
What Makes Butter Mochi Chewy?
The secret is glutinous rice flour, also known as sweet rice flour.
Despite its name, glutinous rice flour does not contain gluten. It gets its distinctive sticky and chewy texture from the type of starch found in sweet rice.
Do not substitute regular rice flour, as it will produce a completely different texture.
Tips for the Best Mochi Butter Cake
- Use glutinous rice flour or sweet rice flour, not regular rice flour.
- Measure the ingredients accurately.
- Make sure the melted butter has cooled slightly before mixing with the eggs.
- Whisk the batter until smooth and lump-free.
- Don't overbake the cake.
- Allow the cake to cool before slicing.
- Use parchment paper for easier removal if desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain their chewy texture.
How Do I Know When Mochi Butter Cake Is Done?
The top should be golden brown and the center should look set rather than liquid.
Insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
A slight softness in the center is desirable because the cake will continue to firm up as it cools.
Why Is My Mochi Cake Too Hard?
Overbaking is one of the most common reasons mochi butter cake becomes too firm.
Keep an eye on the cake toward the end of the baking time and remove it once the center is set and the top is golden.
Storing the cake uncovered can also cause it to dry out, so keep leftovers in an airtight container.
Why Is My Mochi Cake Not Chewy?
The most important factor is using the correct flour.
Make sure you're using glutinous rice flour, sometimes labeled sweet rice flour or mochiko. Regular rice flour does not produce the same chewy texture.
Can I Make Mochi Butter Cake Without Coconut Milk?
Coconut milk provides richness and a subtle coconut flavor that's characteristic of many butter mochi recipes.
You can experiment with other dairy or non-dairy liquids, but the flavor and texture may change.
Mochi Butter Cake Variations
Coconut Mochi Butter Cake
Add shredded coconut to the batter for extra coconut flavor and texture.
Chocolate Butter Mochi
Add cocoa powder and chocolate chips for a rich chocolate version.
Ube Butter Mochi
Add ube flavoring or ube puree for a vibrant purple dessert with a sweet, nutty flavor.
Matcha Butter Mochi
Add high-quality matcha powder for a fragrant green tea variation.
Mango Butter Mochi
Fold small pieces of ripe mango into the batter for a tropical twist.
How to Serve Mochi Butter Cake
This chewy dessert is delicious on its own, but you can serve it with simple toppings and accompaniments.
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Toasted coconut
- Fresh mango
- Powdered sugar
- Caramel sauce
- Chocolate sauce
Can You Make Mochi Butter Cake Ahead?
Yes. Mochi butter cake is an excellent make-ahead dessert.
Once cooled, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for short-term storage.
The texture can become even more pleasantly chewy after resting for several hours.
How to Store Mochi Butter Cake
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature.
If your kitchen is particularly warm, you can refrigerate it, although refrigeration can make the texture firmer.
Allow refrigerated pieces to come to room temperature before serving.
Can You Freeze Mochi Butter Cake?
Yes. Cut the cooled cake into individual portions and wrap them tightly.
Place the pieces in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze.
Thaw at room temperature before serving. You can also gently warm individual pieces for a softer texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mochiko the same as glutinous rice flour?
Mochiko is a type of sweet or glutinous rice flour commonly used for making mochi and other chewy desserts. Check the package label to make sure you're purchasing glutinous or sweet rice flour rather than ordinary rice flour.
Does butter mochi contain gluten?
Glutinous rice flour itself is naturally gluten-free, but always check the labels of all ingredients if you need to avoid gluten because manufacturing practices can vary.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes. If using salted butter, reduce or omit some of the added salt according to your taste.
Why does my butter mochi crack?
Small cracks on the surface can occur naturally as the cake cools. Excessive cracking can be related to oven temperature or baking time.
Should mochi butter cake be refrigerated?
It doesn't necessarily need refrigeration for short-term storage. An airtight container at room temperature is generally best for maintaining its chewy texture.
Can I make this recipe in a smaller pan?
Yes, but the baking time will change. A smaller pan creates a thicker cake, so it may require additional baking time. Always check the center for doneness.
Final Thoughts
This Mochi Butter Cake is a deliciously unique dessert that combines rich buttery flavor with the soft, chewy texture of mochi. It's simple to prepare, easy to customize, and perfect for sharing.
Whether you enjoy the classic coconut flavor or try a variation like chocolate, ube, or matcha, this chewy cake is sure to become a favorite.
Slice it into golden little squares and enjoy a buttery, chewy treat that's impossible to resist!
