Snack Attack: Hoddeok(sweet pancakes with brown sugar filling)

Ever since I started the BoricuKorean Diet(3 days ago), I've been craving sweets. It has been difficult because Koreans usually eat very little sweets and what they have is very different as to what we eat here for dessert.

Therefore, I researched 'til I found this recipe for Hoddeok. Hoddeok is a sweet yeast pancake with brown sugar and walnuts. It's delicious! It satisfied all my sweets craving even more than I had imagined. Crunchy on the outside, doughy on the inside with the melted-syrupy sugar. It's beyond amazing!

Chulbal! RECIPE TIME!

Ingredients:
Dough
1 pack of yeast
1 cup of lukewarm water
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp canola oil
2 cups all-purpose flour

Filling
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup of chopped pecans

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix water, yeast, sugar, salt, and canola oil. Stir until all is dissolved and mixed well.

2. Add flour to the yeast mix. Mix with a rice spoon until all the flour is well integrated with the wet ingredients.

3. Cover the dough and let it rest for an hour so it can grow. 

 

4. While the dough rises, start the filling by mixing brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans.

5. After the hour, check the dough(If it hasn't risen, leave it a few mins extra). Knead the dough in the bowl to take out the excess air and bubbles. Let it rest with the lid for 10 mins.

6. After it has risen again, knead the dough in a table cutter covered with flour so it doesn't stick to your fingers.(use as much as you like but don't abuse of it). After kneading form a ball and cut them into 8 mini balls. 

 7. Flatten the dough in your hands and fill it. When finished filling, close it forming a dough ball(like steamed buns).

8. Heat in medium 1 tbsp of canola oil in a flat pan or griddle. When it is hot, place the hoddeok. Flatten them forming the shape of a pancake. Place a lid when cooking so the sugar will melt and create a syrup.

ASSAH! It's done! The final result is sweet but not overly sweet.

Hoddeok season is winter because it helps keep your body warm. It's a good hearty snack or breakfast. Try it! It's soo worth the long process!