Easy Japanese Dorayaki with Homemade Custard Cream

These Japanese Dorayaki are soft, fluffy, lightly sweet, and incredibly delicious. Made with a simple pancake-like batter and filled with smooth homemade custard cream, they’re a wonderful treat for breakfast, dessert, or afternoon tea.

Dorayaki is a popular Japanese sweet consisting of two soft, golden pancakes sandwiched together with a delicious filling. This version uses creamy vanilla custard for a rich and satisfying center.

Why You’ll Love This Dorayaki

• Soft and fluffy Japanese-style pancakes
• Easy homemade recipe
• Sweet and creamy custard filling
• Made with simple ingredients
• Perfect for dessert or afternoon tea
• Delicious served fresh or chilled

Ingredients

For the Dorayaki Pancakes

• 100 g all-purpose flour
• 60 g granulated sugar
• 20 g honey
• 30 g milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 g baking powder
• 1 g vanilla extract

For the Custard Cream

• 2 egg yolks
• 35 g granulated sugar
• 15 g cake flour
• 200 g milk
• 1 g vanilla extract

How to Make Dorayaki

1. Prepare the Pancake Batter

Add the eggs and sugar to a mixing bowl.

Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly lighter in color.

Add the honey, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix well.

Sift in the flour and baking powder.

Gently mix until you have a smooth batter without large lumps.

Let the batter rest for a few minutes before cooking.

2. Cook the Dorayaki

Heat a non-stick frying pan over low to medium-low heat.

You can lightly grease the pan, then wipe away any excess oil to help achieve an even golden surface.

Pour a small amount of batter into the pan to form a round pancake.

Cook until small bubbles appear on the surface and the edges begin to set.

Carefully flip the pancake and cook the other side until lightly golden.

Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter.

Allow the pancakes to cool before filling.

How to Make the Custard Cream

3. Mix the Egg Yolks

Place the egg yolks and sugar in a saucepan or mixing bowl.

Whisk until well combined.

Add the cake flour and mix until smooth.

4. Add the Milk

Gradually add the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.

Add the vanilla extract and mix well.

5. Cook the Custard

Place the mixture over low to medium heat.

Cook while stirring constantly until the mixture thickens into a smooth, creamy custard.

Once thickened, remove it from the heat.

Transfer the custard to a clean bowl and cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming.

Allow it to cool completely.

6. Assemble the Dorayaki

Take one cooled pancake and place a generous spoonful of custard cream in the center.

Place another pancake on top and gently press around the edges to create a neat sandwich.

Repeat with the remaining pancakes and custard.

Helpful Tips

• Cook the pancakes over low to medium-low heat for an even golden color.
• Avoid using too much oil in the pan, as this can create uneven spots on the pancakes.
• Don’t overmix the batter once the flour has been added.
• Make sure the custard is completely cooled before assembling.
• Stir the custard continuously while cooking to prevent it from sticking or forming lumps.
• For the best texture, let the finished dorayaki rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these Japanese dorayaki with:

• A cup of green tea
• Japanese milk tea
• Coffee
• Fresh berries
• Powdered sugar
• Extra custard cream

You can also replace the custard with sweet red bean paste (anko) for a more traditional dorayaki filling.

Storage

Store filled dorayaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator because of the custard filling.

For the best texture, allow them to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

Recipe Summary

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: About 35 minutes
Servings: Approximately 5–6 dorayaki
Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Japanese
Cuisine: Japanese

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dorayaki?

Dorayaki is a popular Japanese sweet made from two soft, round pancakes with a sweet filling between them. Traditional versions commonly use sweet red bean paste, but custard, chocolate, and other fillings are also delicious.

Why aren’t my pancakes evenly golden?

The pan temperature and amount of oil can affect the color. Use low to medium-low heat and wipe away excess oil before cooking each batch.

Can I use another filling?

Absolutely. Sweet red bean paste, chocolate cream, whipped cream, Nutella, or fruit-based fillings can all work beautifully.