Purin Dora (Dorayaki with Custard Pudding) ぷりんどら - Cook With Naseem

When Japanese custard pudding (purin) is sandwiched between two sweet pancakes (dorayaki), you get Purin Dora!  With the rich buttery caramel running down the creamy and fluffy pancake, this got to be an ultimate Japanese sweet!

When we arrived in Yufuin, a popular hot spring resort near Beppu – another much larger and more developed hot spring resort in Kyushu, we had no idea what we would encounter in this little resort town. Soon after we started walking on the main street, we realized the street is a food heaven.  From Korokke (croquettes) to green tea pudding, there are stores after stores selling both savory and sweet food.

There were plenty of good eats, but there was one special sweet that keeps coming back to us after our return. And that is Purin Dora (ぷりんどら) or Dorayaki with Purin (Japanese custard pudding). So today I’m here to share the recreation of this dessert masterpiece.

Watch How to Make Purin Dora

When Japanese custard pudding (purin) is sandwiched between two sweet pancakes (dorayaki), you get Purin Dora!

What is Purin Dora?

Purin Dora is a delicious treat which combines Purin (Japanese custard pudding/no-bake Creme Caramel) and Dorayaki (red bean filling pancakes).  It was first created by Kikuya (お菓子の菊家), a confectionery store established in 1956 in Oita Prefecture.

The original Purin Dora consists of maple syrup flavored pancakes sandwiching the Japanese custard pudding. The rich buttery caramel from the custard pudding gives a nice accent to the creamy and sweet pudding.  The original version has a small amount of custard cream (pastry cream) on top and bottom of the custard pudding.

Initially, I was thinking about adding fresh whipped cream or my homemade custard cream inside the pancake, but after tasting my version of Purin Dora, I concluded that it’s not necessary.  It’s already sweet as it is, and custard pudding is milky and rich from the eggs, milk, and heavy cream.  The slight salty bitterness from the caramel balances out the sweetness of pancakes and custard really well.

Biting into the soft custardy filling and the fluffy pancakes all together is such an unforgettable experience!

Making Purin Dora at Home

Frankly speaking, making this dessert at home involve 2 days or one stretching day with a break in between. Okay, before you turn away, I want to assure you that despite the length of time, the purin dora-making affair is not at all complicated. The process involves two parts:

The first part is to make Purin (Custard Pudding). Basically, it’ll be my NO BAKE Creme Caramel with less liquid, so the Purin is firmer and works better for Purin Dora.

The second part is to make Dorayaki.  It’s just like making pancakes, the only difference is we have to cook on a much lower heat because the honey in the pancake batter can burn easily.  To get that characteristic golden brown surface on dorayaki, you need to practice patience and be extra gentle.  Don’t worry, I’ll show you some tips on the step by step recipes below.

Helpful Notes for Making Purin Dora 

Making Purin

• Purin is made with gelatin, and I highly recommend using this gelatin sheet.
• To counter the sweetness, I like my caramel to be a have a stronger bitter note (and darker) so the flavor is much more balanced.
• I use 4-oz ramekins to make my purin. I bought mine from Daiso (a Japanese dollar store) over 10 years ago.

Making Dorayaki

• Most importantly, you want to be familiar with the working of your stove and frying pan, and then use a timer to assist you on when to flip the pancakes.
• To make equal size pancakes, pre-measure the batter (I use a 1/4-cup measuring cup).
• It’s not necessary, but I recommend using this small offset spatula.  It is REALLY helpful when you want to insert the spatula between batter and frying pan around the edges without making any scratches.
• And if you do use the offset spatula, make sure to keep the spatula clean with a damp towel so the dorayaki surface will be nice and smooth.

Assemble Purin Dora

• Purin might be hard to pop out of the ramekin. Run the toothpick around the edges and tilt to allow air around the edges.
• If you don’t want all the caramel sauce to come out, you can first pop the purin out and drain the caramel on a plate, then transfer the purin onto the dorayaki. I don’t mind at all if the caramel sauce is all over my dorayaki. See the pictures of my purin dora for proof!

Enjoy Purin Dora

This dessert is definitely not one of those quick and easy recipes, but Yufuin is also not an easy place for many of us to get to. If you have tried Purin Dora in Yufuin, or if you have tasted my Purin Dora once, I know you would keep making this again and again.  The surprising pair of spongy pancake and smooth silky custard drowned in caramel sauce offers you an absolute euphoric sensation. Mr. JOC was in heaven when I was testing the recipe several times.

Hope you enjoy this ultimate combination of Japanese and western dessert!

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Purin Dora

For Purin – Caramel Sauce (makes 8 purin)

• 140 g granulated sugar  ((140 g = ⅔ cup))
• 30 ml water  ((30 ml = 2 Tbsp))
• 30 ml boiling water  ((30 ml = 2 Tbsp))

For Purin – Custard (makes 8 purin)

• 10 g gelatin powder/sheet  ((10 g = .35 oz = 1 Tbsp = 4 sheets))
• 60 ml water  ((60 ml = ¼ cup))
• 4 large egg yolks  ((See Notes for egg white recipes))
• 80 g  granulated sugar  ((80 g = ⅓ cup + 1 Tbsp))
• 300 ml whole milk  ((300 ml = 1 ¼ cup) (Divided))
• 120 ml heavy cream or heavy whipping cream  ((120 ml = ½ cup))
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

For Dorayaki (makes 12 pancakes – 6 dorayaki)

• 4 large eggs
• 140 g granulated sugar  ((140 g = ⅔ cup))
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 160 g all-purpose flour  ((160 g = 1 ⅓ cup) (See Notes))
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 Tbsp water  ((Please adjust, between 1-2 Tbsp))
• 1 tsp neutral flavor oil (vegetable, canola, etc) ((for cooking))

Day 1 – Making Purin

1. Gather all the ingredients. You will also need 8 4-oz ramekins (4 oz = 1/2 cup = 120 ml).
   

1: To Make Caramel Sauce:

1. Prepare boiling water (you will only need 2 Tbsp) and a cold damp towel (for Step 4).

2. In a small sauce pot, combine sugar (140 g, ⅔ cup) and 2 Tbsp water over medium heat. Stir a few times and let the sugar dissolved.

   

3. Once the mixture comes to a boil, about 4 minutes, lower the heat to simmer. Gently swirl and tilt the pot around the heat (don’t stir it) to distribute the color evenly until it becomes amber (like darker honey), about 6 minutes.
   
4. Once it reaches the desired amber color, immediately remove the pot from heat to a cold damp towel and add 2 Tbsp boiling water. It will create a huge splash so please be careful. You can shield with a lid or wear oven mitts to protect your hands. Stir the saucepan to mix together. This will slightly thin out the caramel sauce and ensure it doesn’t become too thick in the ramekins.
   
5. [Optional] Briefly dip the ramekins in hot water to warm up and shake off excess water. This will prevent the caramel from solidifying.
6. While caramel is still hot, evenly distribute the caramel among the 8 ramekins. Set aside and let the caramel thicken naturally (which is why the caramel will not mix with the custard mixture later).
   

2: To Make Custard

1. In a small heat-resistant bowl, cut 4 gelatin sheets* into thin ½ inch (1.3 cm) strips. Add cold water (60 ml = ¼ cup) and set aside for 5-6 minutes until the gelatin “blooms” (expands). Make sure the bowl is larger than the opening of the saucepan you’ll be using in Step 3 below.

   

2. In a saucepan bring 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water to simmer and place the bowl of gelatin mixture over the saucepan. Steam will immediately warm up the glass bowl and start dissolving the gelatin. Turn off the heat and set aside. If somehow you end up taking a longer time to do the following process and the gelatin has set into a solid, you will need to melt it back into a liquid with double boiler again.

   

3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 4 egg yolks and sugar (80 g, ⅓ cup + 1 Tbsp) until pale and creamy.

   

4. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk (150 ml, ⅔ cup) over medium heat until the milk is warm to the touch. We’ll be using the other half of milk later on.

   

5. Slowly add in the warm milk, whisking constantly (tempering the egg mixture).
   
6. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats a spoon with a thin film, or small bubbles start to form at the edges of pan, or reaches 160 ºF (71 ºC). Keep an eye on the pot ALL THE TIME; otherwise the mixture will burn on the bottom.
   

7. Add in the gelatin mixture (from Step 2 above) and mix well. Remove from the heat.

   

8. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a clean bowl. Stir in the rest of the milk (150 ml, ⅔ cup).

   

9. Add heavy whipping cream (120 ml, ½ cup) and 2 tsp vanilla. We’re adding them at the end to help the mixture cool down faster.

   

10. Whisk all together. Transfer the mixture into a large cup with a pout (optional).

    

11. Divide the custard into the 8 ramekins. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge overnight or up to 3 days. The caramel on the bottom will become thinner after the moisture from the custard transfers to the caramel.
    

Day 2 – Making Dorayaki

1. Gather all the ingredients.
   

2. In a large bowl, combine 4 eggs, sugar (140 g, ⅔ cup), and 2 Tbsp honey and whisk well until the mixture becomes fluffy.

   

3. Sift all-purpose flour (160 g, 1 ⅓ cup) and 1 tsp baking powder into the bowl and mix all together.

   

4. Keep in the fridge to rest for 15 minutes.
   
5. About 5 minutes before taking out the batter from the fridge, start heating a large non-stick frying pan over low heat. It’s best to take your time and heat the pan slowly so there will be no hot spots. I keep the heat setting to the lowest for 5 minutes.
   
6. Take out the batter from the refrigerator. The batter should be slightly smoother now. Stir in 2 Tbsp* of water and whisk to combine until the batter reaches the ribbon stage (When you lift the whisk over the mixture, the batter falls slowly forming thick ribbons which hold their shape atop the batter). *Depends on the size of eggs and how accurate your flour measurement is, the water amount may vary, so start adding 1 Tbsp first, then slowly add more if needed.
   

7. Dip a paper towel in 1 tsp vegetable oil and coat the bottom of the pan with the oil. Then remove the oil completely (that’s the key for evenly golden brown dorayaki surface).

   

8. With a ladle or a small measuring cup (I use a 4 Tbsp measuring cup), pour 3 Tbsp of the batter from 3″ (8 cm) above the pan to create 3″ (8 cm) diameter pancakes. Set timer for 90 seconds (with my gas stove “low setting” and frying pan).

   

9. Using an offset spatula, release the edges of the pancake, and then switch to a larger spatula and flip. Cook the other side for 30 seconds and then transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. You do not need to oil the pan again. Continue making pancakes (you can make about 12 3″ pancakes).

   

Final Step – Assembly

1. To serve, run a small sharp knife around the edge of each ramekin to loosen the custard.
   
2. Place a pancake on your serving plate and invert the custard onto the center of the pancake. If it doesn’t release right away, gently shake the ramekin a few times or insert a knife/toothpick around the edges to release the custard. Place another pancake on top to sandwich the purin. Enjoy!
   

Gelatin Powder/Sheets: I buy these gelatin sheets. If you’re using powder gelatin, combine 3 tsp. (10 g) gelatin powder and ¼ cup (60 ml) water and let stand for 1 minute. Then microwave on high for 30-40 seconds, stir, and it’s ready to use. 1 pouch of Knox gelatin powder is 7 grams, about 2 ½ Tbsps. 

 

Egg Yolks: What to do with egg whites? Check egg white recipes.

 

All-Purpose Flour: 1 cup of flour is 120-125 g. However, if you don’t fluff the flour before you scoop and scoop up with a measuring cup, you most likely end up with 150-160 g for 1 cup. Therefore, if you don’t have a kitchen scale, it’s very important to fluff the flour, then scoop with spoon into a measuring up, then level off with a knife. If you do it correctly, 160 g should be 1 ⅓ cup. I HIGHLY recommend to use a kitchen scale.

 

Equipment you will need:

• 8 4-oz ramekins (4 oz = 1/2 cup = 120 ml)
• a fine mesh strainer

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