Strawberries and Milk Yokan (Printable Version)

Delicate Japanese sweet milk yokan with fresh strawberries—refreshing and light.

# What You Need:

→ Main Components

01 - 7 oz fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
02 - 1 2/3 cups whole milk
03 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar

→ Gelling Agents

04 - 2 tsp powdered agar-agar

→ Flavorings

05 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Optional Garnish

06 - Fresh mint leaves

# How To Make It:

01 - Rinse strawberries thoroughly, remove green hulls, and cut each berry in half. Arrange strawberry halves evenly in an 8 x 4 inch rectangular mold or loaf pan, creating a single layer at the bottom.
02 - In a small saucepan, combine whole milk, granulated sugar, and powdered agar-agar. Whisk vigorously until agar-agar is completely dissolved and no lumps remain.
03 - Place saucepan over medium heat and bring mixture to a gentle simmer while stirring constantly. Maintain simmer for 2 minutes to fully activate the gelling properties of the agar-agar.
04 - Remove saucepan from heat source. Stir in vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the hot milk mixture.
05 - Allow milk mixture to cool slightly for 2-3 minutes until just warm to the touch. Gently pour over arranged strawberries in mold. Lightly tap mold on counter to release trapped air bubbles and distribute berries evenly.
06 - Let yokan cool to room temperature for approximately 30 minutes, then transfer to refrigerator. Chill for at least 3 hours or until completely set and firm to the touch.
07 - Once fully set, run a knife along edges to loosen from mold. Invert onto cutting board and slice into rectangular portions. Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired and serve chilled.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The balance of creamy milk and bright strawberries feels like eating a cloud
  • It comes together in minutes but looks impressively elegant
02 -
  • Agar-agar sets much firmer than gelatin, so resist the temptation to add more than called for
  • If your strawberries are very sweet, reduce the sugar slightly to keep the flavors balanced
03 -
  • Use a transparent mold if you want to see the beautiful strawberry pattern before serving
  • A light tap on the counter after pouring releases trapped air bubbles for a cleaner finish

Return