Healthy Homemade Vegan Matcha S’mores Recipe | with Black Sesame and Kinako Mochi!

Healthy Homemade Vegan Matcha S’mores Recipe | with Black Sesame and Kinako Mochi!

by Garie Sison

As warming and comforting as a campfire s’mores sounds, it’s almost too sinfully delicious that having that much sugar and chocolate can be leave you feeling a bit too unhealthy. So here at matcha.com, we tried to come up with a better and healthier—but still as tasty—homemade s’mores version. The result: kinako mochi marshmallows with black sesame graham crackers and a matcha green tea spread!

It sounds like a mouthful, and believe me, it's definitely a mouth-full! But each bite will leave you feeling curious, and wanting more at the same time. With the newer and healthier alternatives for our homemade matcha s’mores, there are so many elements, flavors, and textures in this recipe that surprisingly work so well together.

Tying in the Japanese Elements

It’s no marshmallow, but mochi has much more chew and flavor, especially with the kinako powder! If you’re not so familiar with mochi, it is a sweet Japanese rice cake, with a soft and chewy outer layer, and a sweet and sticky inside. Some mochi variations contain some sort of filling, ranging from ice cream to red bean taste among others. All different but all so tasty!

Additionally, kinako is a Japanese condiment made from roasted soybeans. It is typically in Japanese desserts, giving these treats a warm and nutty flavor, similar to that of peanuts. Covering the mochi in kinako powder definitely gives it an added depth. The mochi and kinako elements tie in perfectly with matcha.com’s high quality matcha, making this the perfect inventive, healthy, and delicious Japanese treat.

Health Benefits of the Ingredients

Here at matcha.com, we’re all about finding healthier alternatives, while still keeping the fun alive! Marshmallows are loaded with sugar, but mochi is naturally gluten-free and contains less sugar than marshmallows. It still gives you that chewy texture that is satisfying without being overly sweet.

Kinako powder is a good source of protein and has multiple health benefits thanks to its soy bean source. It is also a good source of protein, helps absorb fat, and may even promote hair growth. These are just some benefits of kinako powder to name a few.

Black sesame seeds are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. They also contain various vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iron, and magnesium. Some studies suggest that consuming black sesame seeds may help lower blood pressure, improve heart health, and support healthy bones.

To top it all off, the benefits of matcha are abundant. It is a Japanese green tea powder that is overall healthful and good for you. From its mood and energy boosting effects, to its skin and heart health protection, the list of good things matcha can do for you is long. You can read up more on the matcha health benefits, according to science, here.

Now it’s time to get baking!

Healthy Homemade Vegan Matcha S’mores Recipe | with Black Sesame and Kinako Mochi!

Healthy Homemade Vegan Matcha S’mores Recipe

Yields: 10 s’mores

Black Sesame Graham Cracker Ingredients:

  • 90 g whole wheat flour
  • 30 g all purpose flour
  • 50 g black sesame paste
  • 50 g white sugar
  • 3 g baking soda
  • 1.5 g salt
  • 55 g vegan butter, cold
  • 25 g agave nectar
  • 25 g water, cold
  • 2.5 g vanilla

Kinako Mochi Ingredients:

  • 100 g glutinous rice flour
  • 50 g white sugar
  • 220 ml water
  • kinako powder, as needed

Matcha White Chocolate Ingredients:

  • 100 g vegan white chocolate
  • 6 g matcha

Black Sesame Graham Cracker Recipe:

  1. Combine flours, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
  2. Add black sesame paste and cold butter. Mix until crumbly.
  3. Combine honey, water, and vanilla.
  4. Add to the mixture, and mix until it forms a ball.
  5. Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes or until firm.
  6. Roll out the chilled dough to your desired thickness, and cut out with a cookie cutter or a knife.
  7. Transfer to a lined baking pan, and prick the surface with a fork.
  8. Bake for 12-15 minutes at a pre-heated oven at 174C.

Kinako Mochi Recipe:

  1. Mix rice flour, sugar, and water together. Transfer to a saucepan or a microwavable bowl.
  2. Cook at low heat, while continuously stirring with a spatula OR cover and microwave for 30 seconds.
  3. Cook until a ball is formed OR remove from the microwave and mix then repeat twice. Let it cool.
  4. Pour kinako powder in a flat surface and the cooled mochi dough.
  5. Cut into squares and cover with more kinako.

Matcha White Chocolate Recipe:

  1. Melt white chocolate.
  2. Add sifted matcha, and mix.

Healthy Homemade Vegan Matcha S’mores Recipe Assembly:

  1. Now that all elements of the dish are ready, it’s time for assembly!
  2. Get one black sesame graham cracker as the base of the s’more.
  3. Spoon out a dollop of the matcha spread on the cracker base. This will give the mochi more stability to make sure it doesn’t slip out.
  4. Carefully place a piece of mochi on top, and then cover it with another black sesame graham cracker to pack in the perfect homemade matcha mochi s’more. Voila!

Matcha Recommendations and Similar Recipes

The matcha in this recipe is simple and straightforward, that’s why using the right matcha is crucial, and can elevate this entire dessert. Here are some high quality Japanese matcha green tea powder only from matcha.com:

If you liked this fun and sweet matcha dessert recipe, you can try creating your own healthier desserts with these other recipes:

The Bottomline

Sweets and treats don’t always have to be sinful and loaded with sugar. With enough creativity, research, and experimentation, you can create healthier and yummier matcha alternatives! But remember, too much of anything isn’t always good. So it’s always better to take things in moderation. Just make sure to enjoy matcha and its benefits altogether.

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