To make a mooncake: the essential stuff

Mooncakes!!! 

 
a mooncake box and a whole mooncake (lotus paste and egg yolk)

2 quarters of a mooncake with lotus paste and egg yolk

It is extremely frustrating that some ingredients in Asian baking recipes are difficult to find.  One of them is mooncake glaze that is used to glaze the cakes after they are removed from the oven.

However, I've found an alternative: confectioners edible glaze varnish.  If it is too thick, add some water to dilute the liquid.  I would try it on one mooncake first to see if it works and then proceed with the rest if the glaze turns out to be OK.

Another one is maltose.  It's hard to find it in local supermarkets like Tesco or Sainsbury's.  However, specialist shops do sell it.  So far, I've found one (brand: Dragon Boat), which is made in China.

The other is lye water.  This ingredient browns the mooncake skin so it's quite essential if you wish your mooncakes turn out to be like those made by pros.

These days,  mooncake moulds are easy to find.  If you are visiting Hong Kong, go to the Shanghai Street where authentic wooden mooncake moulds, along with moulds for other Chinese traditional cakes and pastries, are sold.

Mooncake kits are also available to buy in the UK all year round.

I'll share my verdict on these items once I've made my mooncakes!!!  Of course, the recipe is included :-)

mooncake mould