The 11 Best Korean Cake Recipes

Korea is full of fabulous food. From tangy Kimchi all the way to hearty jjigae, there is no shortage of recipes for you to try. 

While this country is known for its savory food, there are also plenty of sweet recipes you should try too.

Cakes are loved all over the world, and Korea is no exception.

Korean Cake Recipes

So, if you’re ready to indulge your sweet tooth, let’s dive straight into 11 of the best Korean cake recipes you can make at home.

Popular Korean Cakes

From sweet cakes all the way to Songpyeon (Half-Moon Shaped Rice Cake), you will find lots of fantastic Korean cakes, and lots of them can be made at home. 

If you want to try some well-known Korean cakes for yourself, take your pick from the recipes we’ve included below.

1. Songpyeon

Also known as Half-moon Shaped Rice Cakes, this is one of the most well-known cakes in all of Korea. 

These delicious little cakes are stuffed with rice and sweet fillings such as sesame seeds and honey.

They’re shaped in a way that is reminiscent of half moons, which is where they get their name from. 

This recipe is fun and easy to make, and you will absolutely love the results. 

2. Korean Lunch Box Cake

More commonly known as Bento cakes, these lunch box cakes are super cute and full of flavor. 

These tasty cakes are made from vanilla sponge, cream cheese frosting, and a jam filling – you will not be able to resist this recipe once you try it for yourself. 

These Korean lunch box cakes are perfect for get-togethers and parties and even as a gift.

If you make one the next time you have visitors coming over, they are sure to get your guests talking.

3. Yakgwa

Also known as Korean honey cakes, Yakgwa is arguably the most well-known of all Korean cakes. 

These delicious cakes are deep-fried, layered, and made with honey, sesame oil, ginger, and soju.

They are very similar in consistency and flavor to glazed donuts, and they are very easy to make at home. 

These Korean honey cakes are absolutely irresistible, and you will find yourself making them again and again. 

4. Korean Fresh Cream Cake

This cream cake recipe is delightfully rich and creamy, full of refreshing cream that is perfect for anyone who loves sweet treats. 

Not only does this recipe taste fantastic, but it also looks good too. The cream covers the whole cake and makes it melt in your mouth. 

You will have no problem making this recipe for yourself, so try it out today. 

5. Pepero Cake

This recipe transforms the simple Pepero stick dessert into a fabulous cake that you won’t be able to get enough of. 

Pepero cake is one for all chocolate lovers, as you will be using a decent amount of cooking chocolate to bring it to life.

It is moist and full of flavor and emulates the traditional dessert in all of the best ways. 

This recipe only takes about 10 minutes to make as well, so you can have a fresh Pepero cake ready in absolutely no time at all. 

Korean Fruit Cakes

Korean cakes come in many shapes, flavors, and sizes, and there are plenty of cakes in this country that are made using fruit. 

In Korea, the fruits that are used in recipes change depending on which ones are in season, which means there are a plethora of Korean fruit cake recipes that you can try.

If you are in the mood for a refreshing cake that is full of fruit, then browse below for some of the best Korean fruit cakes you can make at home. 

6. Fresh Fruit Cake

This recipe is similar to the fresh cream cake, but it is adorned with fresh fruit, which also gives it a different flavor. 

What makes this recipe so great is the fact that you can change the fruit depending on what’s in season.

Seasonal fruit is a big part of Korean cuisine, so if you want to keep it authentic, try it this way. 

However, you can use whatever fruit you want, so don’t be afraid to experiment. 

7. Date-Swirl Sweet Rice Cakes

Filled with dates, honey and other zesty flavors, these date-swirl sweet rice cakes are not one you want to miss out on. 

These cakes are pinwheel-shaped, which gives them a unique appearance that you will love.

They are great on those days when you want a tasty snack, but they also work wonderfully at parties too. 

The main ingredients in these cakes include sweet rice, salt, sugar, water, and Medjool dates.

The recipe is simple to follow, and, what’s more, you can have a batch ready in no time. 

8. Banana Tteok

All you really need to bring this banana tteok recipe to life is bananas, rice powder, and a handful of other ingredients. 

The end result is some beautifully sweet rice balls that you are absolutely going to love. 

This is such a simple recipe as well, and you can swap out the bananas for any fruit that takes your fancy.

If you want to enjoy this recipe as is, though, we highly recommend it! 

Korean Rice Cakes

Many rice cake recipes are savory in Korea, but there are many variations of the rice cake recipe that are sweet, too. 

Rice cakes are super popular in Korea, and they are one of the most well-known recipes outside of the country, too. 

Below, you will find a selection of the best Korean rice cake recipes that you can make for yourself. Which one will you pick first?

9. Injeolmi 

Injeolmi is a beloved cake recipe from Korea. 

It is a type of rice cake that perfectly balances a nutty and sweet flavor. It is a mix between soft and chewy in texture and makes for a great sweet snack when you are in the mood. 

The main ingredients in this recipe include Sweet rice flour, sugar, salt, roasted soybean powder, and water, and they come together to create a delicious treat you won’t be able to get enough of. 

10. White Steamed Rice Cake

Also known as Baekseolgi-tteok, these steamed rice cakes have been popular in Korea for centuries. 

These chewy rice cakes are often enjoyed on birthdays, especially a baby’s 100-day birthday, which is known as ‘baek il’ in Korean.

While they hold a significant place in Korean culture, they can be enjoyed by anyone. 

While these rice cakes might seem incredibly simple, that simplicity is actually what makes them so great. If you really want to immerse yourself in Korean cuisine, this is a great recipe to start with. 

11. Cinnamon-Sugar Tteok

If you love cinnamon, then you are going to absolutely adore this version of tteok. 

These Korean rice cakes are perfect for the fall or for the festive season as they are coated in cinnamon and sugar to create an aromatic dessert

This is such a simple recipe to make as well. All you need is cinnamon, sugar, rice, and a couple of extra ingredients.

It also only takes 5 to 10 minutes to make them, so if you are in the mood for a sweet treat and fast, this is a fantastic Korean cake to try. 

Conclusion

Korea has so many different options when it comes to cakes, and as you can see, there is something for everyone. 

Whether you are in the mood for some fresh fruit cake or you want to try something more traditional, like a sweet rice cake, there are plenty of recipes on this list for you to experiment with. 

Try some of these Korean cake recipes today and see which one you like the most.

Regardless of your personal experience in the kitchen, you should have no problems recreating these recipes for yourself! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Most Popular Cake In Korea?

There are many popular cakes in Korea, but one that gets a lot of attention is the Fresh Cream Cake. These sweet cream cakes can be found all over the country, and they are a big hit with locals and tourists alike.

What Is Korean Sweet Cake?

Also known as Yakgwa, Korean sweet cake is a pastry or cookie that is filled with ingredients such as ginger and honey, and it tastes very similar to glazed donuts. It is a traditional Korean sweet recipe that is enjoyed everywhere in the country.

What Is The Difference Between Cake And Bento Cake?

Bento cake is different from standard cake because it is a Korean mini cake that is usually included in a lunchbox meal. Bento is another word for lunchbox, and these cakes and meals are incredibly popular in Korea.

The 11 Best Korean Cake Recipes

Recipe by Barbara HuntCourse: Other Recipes
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Calories

300

kcal

Directions

  • Choose a recipe from above
  • Collect your ingredients
  • Prepare your dish
  • Enjoy.
Barbara Hunt

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