Nutella Tang Yuan (Glutinous Rice Balls)

If there’s one dessert you should make for Lunar New Year, it has to be this Nutella hazelnut-filled tangyuan. Tangyuan is a classic Lunar New Year dessert and they are glutinous rice balls usually filled with black sesame or peanut butter. This Nutella variation is a delicious way to add a fun and unique twist.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Satisfying your sweet tooth has never been this easy! Whether you’re making this for Lunar New Year or you’re simply craving a unique twist on a classic favorite, this recipe is for you!

The filling is inspired by my love and obsession with Nutella, so this fusion just naturally made sense. In addition to the Nutella, hazelnuts are added for some texture and crunch. The key ingredient in the filling is a little salt, and if you have flakey salt, that’s even better. It’s going to balance out all the sweetness, so don’t skip it! If you’re worried about this being overly sweet, you can reduce the amount of filling or adjust the Nutella-to-hazelnut ratio to find that perfect balance.

To make assembling a little easier, pop the Nutella filling in the freezer for about 30 minutes so it hardens up. After assembling, all you need to do is boil them until they float. Then serve with the soup and enjoy!

Tang yuan is traditionally served with a sweet soup made from water, sugar, and ginger, and I don’t think it’s complete without the ginger soup! For this recipe, I tweaked it a little by infusing a Western twist. Cinnamon bark, whole cloves, and star anise are added as the perfect spices to complement the ginger and I also added orange peels and spices inspired by the flavors of mulled wine to make it extra comforting. 

Ingredients & Substitutions

Glutinous rice flour: glutinous rice flour is essential for making the dough. When cooked, it’ turns chewy and bouncy. I don’t recommend substituting this with other flour since the rice balls won’t have the same chewy consistency.

Lukewarm water: lukewarm water makes the dough feel soft and pliable. You’ll know the water is lukewarm when it feels warmer than your body temperature but not hot when you run it through your wrist.

Salt: salt adds flavor to the dough and balances out the sweetness of the Nutella filling. Feel free to adjust the amount added to taste.

Nutella: Nutella is the star of the filling for its rich, sweet, and delectable taste. 

Chopped hazelnuts: chopped hazelnuts add a crunchy texture to the glutinous rice balls and complement the flavor of Nutella. I’m using roasted and unsalted hazelnuts for this recipe.

Water: water is used as the base for the ginger soup

Rock sugar: rock sugar is used to sweeten the ginger soup. It’s commonly used in Chinese cuisine however you can use white or brown sugar as a substitute.

Cinnamon sticks: cinnamon sticks provide a warm, sweet, and woody flavor and aroma to the ginger soup. Alternatively, you can use cinnamon powder.

Star anise: star anise adds a sweet and licorice-like flavor that compliments the taste the spices used in the ginger soup. You can substitute it with anise seeds.

Whole cloves: whole cloves provide rich, woody, and sweet flavors to the ginger soup. You can also use ground cloves as a substitute.

Ginger: ginger adds an invigorating spicy flavor that elevates the overall taste of the ginger soup. Alternatively, you can use ground ginger as a substitute, but its flavor won’t be as spicy or intense. 

Fresh orange peels: fresh orange peels add a fresh citrusy flavor to round out the ginger soup. In a pinch, you can substitute it with lemon zest but note that it will have different citrusy notes.

How do I prepare Nutella Tang Yuan?

Follow this easy step-by-step recipe to prepare this delicious Nutella Tang Yuan dessert

Step 1: Make the dough

In a bowl, whisk together glutinous rice flour and salt. Slowly pour in warm water, stirring constantly until a dough forms. Then, knead the dough a few times until it’s smooth. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel and set aside to rest for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Make the filling

Combine Nutella, crushed hazelnuts, and salt in a small freezer-safe bowl. Mix them together until they’re well combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden the filling.

Step 3: Make the ginger soup

Combine water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole cloves, ginger, and orange peels in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. Strain, then set aside for later.

Step 4: Roll and cut the dough

Take the dough and roll it out into a long log. Cut into 12 even pieces, about 20 grams each. Using your hands, roll each piece of dough into a round ball. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent the dough from drying out.

Step 5: Take the filling out from the freezer and allow to thaw

Remove the filling from the freezer. Scoop out the filling using a small spoon, about the size of a teaspoon. If the filling is too hard, let it soften on the counter for a few minutes. If the filling gets too soft, place it back in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Step 6: Form the dough

Take a dough ball and gently flatten it into a 2-inch circle. Place the filling in the center of the dough, then seal the dough around the filling. Roll the dough into a smooth round ball. Repeat until all Nutella balls are made.

Step 7: Cook the dough balls

Bring a pot with 4 cups of water to boil. Reduce to a simmer, and then add the Nutella balls. Gently stir to prevent them from sticking to the bottom. Simmer until the dough balls float – which should take about 4 to 5 minutes.

Step 8: Reheat the ginger soup

While the dough balls are cooking, reheat the ginger soup so it’s hot when serving.

Step 9: Plate and serve

Immediately transfer the cooked Nutella balls into a bowl and serve with the hot ginger soup. Enjoy!

Cooking Tips for Nutella Tang Yuan

Here are a few tips to keep in mind to make the most delicious Nutella Tang Yuan every time!

• I recommend preparing the Nutella filling first so it hardens in the freezer by the time the dough is ready.

• When rolling out the dough, remember to cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out and cracking. 

• Avoid using hot water when making the dough since this will cook the glutinous rice flour and make it very sticky. You want to use lukewarm water which will make the glutinous rice flour easier to work with. 

• These tang yuan can be made in advance and stored in the freezer. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is glutinous rice flour made of?

Glutinous rice flour is made from cooked short or long-grain rice dehydrated and milled into flour. When made into a dough, it creates a sticky and bouncy consistency. Aside from tang yuan, glutinous rice flour is also used for making mochi and sticky rice cakes.

What is rock sugar?

Rock sugar is crystallized sugar that has a milder taste than regular granulated sugar. That’s because it’s made by boiling sugar into a syrup, then cooled down to form white to pale gold large crystals. It’s often used for sweetening dishes in Chinese cuisine and creates a lovely sheen on sauces and braises.

Can you store Nutella Tang Yuan in the fridge?

You can store leftover Nutella tang yuan in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. But make sure it’s submerged in the ginger soup to prevent its dough from drying out. You can reheat it on the stovetop or microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or until it’s hot.

Looking for more easy & delicious dessert recipes?

1. Persimmon Galette – impress your family with this not-too-sweet dessert recipe. This rustic persimmon galette is packed with caramelized persimmons, lemon sugar, and a hint of cinnamon, all wrapped in a flakey crust, making it the perfect dessert to share.

2. Mochi Pancakes – if you enjoy the chewiness of glutinous rice balls, you’ll love these slightly chewy mochi pancakes. It’s light, fluffy, soft, and chewy, and only takes 20 minutes to whip up!

3. Sweet & Salty Crispy Corn – if you’re in the mood for sweet and salty, you have to try this recipe. Combining salt, sugar, and cornstarch with corn creates a crunchy and addicting snack that you can also add to ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, and more!

4. Hong Kong French Toast – level up your breakfast game with this indulgent Hong Kong-style French toast recipe. Trust me, you won’t be able to resist deep-fried golden brown bread filled with creamy peanut butter and drizzled with condensed milk!

5. Hong Kong Egg Waffle with Ice Cream – this egg waffle recipe is the perfect canvas for creamy and indulgent ice cream. The great thing about this is it allows you to customize your fillings and toppings, so feel free to experiment with flavors and ingredients you like!

Pin & save this recipe for later!