Crunchy Butter Mochi with Sweet Rice Flour

Sakura Yamamoto
Sakura Yamamoto
Published: June 11, 2026
Categories: Desserts
Tags: Dessert, easy, Coconut, Japanese, Hawaiian, Mochi, Treats

Butter Mochi

Golden, chewy mochi with a crispy exterior and buttery richness. A delightful Hawaiian-Japanese treat that's surprisingly simple to make at home.

Prep Time:10 minCook Time:40 minTotal Time:50 minServings:16Difficulty:Easy

Crunchy butter mochi is one of those magical treats that shouldn't work as well as it does. The combination of sweet rice flour, rich butter, and coconut milk creates something wonderfully chewy and dense, but what really makes it special is the contrast between the caramelized, crispy edges and the incredibly soft center. This is the kind of dessert that keeps people coming back for more—it's addictive in the best possible way.

Originating from Hawaii with Japanese influences, this humble confection has become a beloved staple at potlucks and gatherings across the Pacific. The beauty of making it at home is that you get that perfect golden crust that's hard to replicate with store-bought versions, and your kitchen fills with an amazing buttery aroma while it bakes. It's wonderfully simple—no fancy techniques required—just a few quality ingredients and a little patience.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories:185 kcal
Protein:2 g
Carbs:24 g
Fat:9 g

Directions

  1. 1
    Parchment lined square baking pan ready for crunchy butter mochi batter

    Preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

  2. 2
    Sweet rice flour sugar baking powder and salt whisked together in a mixing bowl

    In a medium bowl, whisk together sweet rice flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

  3. 3
    Coconut milk melted butter and vanilla stirred together in a glass bowl

    In another bowl, combine the coconut milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract, stirring until well mixed.

  4. 4
    Wet coconut butter mixture poured into dry ingredients to make thick smooth batter

    Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until you have a thick, smooth batter—it should be thicker than cake batter but still pourable.

  5. 5
    Butter mochi batter smoothed evenly in the parchment lined square pan

    Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon.

  6. 6
    Baked butter mochi in the pan with golden brown crispy edges

    Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and crispy but the center still jiggles slightly when gently shaken.

  7. 7
    Baked butter mochi cooling in the pan on a wire rack

    Remove from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan for at least 30 minutes—this is important for getting that signature crispy exterior.

  8. 8
    Cooled butter mochi cut into sixteen square pieces for serving

    Once cooled, cut into 16 squares and serve. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Ingredients

  • Sweet rice flour:2 cups
  • Granulated sugar:1.5 cups
  • Unsweetened coconut milk:1 can (13.5 oz)
  • Butter:6 tbsp
  • Baking powder:1 tsp
  • Vanilla extract:1 tsp
  • Salt:¼ tsp

Tips & Notes

  • Don't overbake! The center should still have a little give when it comes out—it will firm up as it cools and create that perfect chewy texture.
  • Sweet rice flour is different from regular rice flour, so don't substitute it. You can find it at most Asian markets or online.
  • For extra crispy edges, you can bake it a few minutes longer, but watch carefully to avoid burning the bottom.
  • Serve these at room temperature or slightly warm—they're delicious either way, but the texture really shines when they're not cold.