Azuki Bean Tea Cakes

          The season is in full swing and we need to be ready for unexpected holiday guests.  Chef Azuki always has something baking in her oven.  Today I enjoyed her delectable creation that mixed a hint of green tea with a shot of azuki bean sweetness.  These tea cakes are light, fluffy and simply the perfect snack to have with your favorite tea.

Azuki Bean Tea Cakes

2 tea bags of your favorite green tea
3/4 cups hot water
3 egg yolks
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3 egg whites stiffly beaten
1/2 tsp. azuki bean paste for each tea cake

Directions
1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees
2.  Put tea bags in hot water and steep for ten minutes
3.  Cool tea
4.  Add cool tea and egg yolks to bowl and lightly mix
5.  Mix in vanilla, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt
6.  Mix egg whites for about 3 minutes to get stiff peaks
7.  Fold in the stiffly beaten egg into the batter
8.  Pour the mixture into round or square cupcake tins lined with paper baking cups
9.  Fill each paper cup 1/2 full
10.  Add 1/2 tsp of azuki bean paste on top
11.  Cover with remaining batter until each cup is 3/4 full
12.  Bake for 17 minutes ( Time may vary depending on oven)
13.  Cool in pan for ten minutes

          These azuki bean tea cakes are now ready to serve.  Maybe you can even leave Santa a couple of these tea cakes with green tea this year.  I'm sure Santa enjoys a little variety!

BeaNspiration:  Try something new this holiday!