Mid-Autumn Festival Gansu province red yeast rice and rose mooncake

10 minutes to prep 
11-15 minutes to cook 
6 buns (each 2 inches by 1 inch)

Description

After I saw the Netflix series Flavorful Origins and couldn’t find a recipe online in English or Chinese, I decided to create a quick, grain-free recipe for this bun. They’re traditionally made with grains, stuffed into a bigger bun, and then steamed. But I don’t have all day! 

This dish features red yeast rice, which studies show can reduce cholesterol. Before you eat it, read the latest studies and precautions on red yeast rice. 
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This dish also features flax oil and seeds, which is high in omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (AHA). 

Where to get more affordable, bulk ingredients

You might be able to get ingredients below more affordably and without plastic packaging from bulk bins at places below. Also, it’s legal to put unpackaged food in your own containers at food providers, such as stores, restaurants, farmer’s markets, and food trucks (at least in California and Maine).

Ingredients

Dough:
  • 1 1/2 cups grain-free pancake and baking mix. If you use another brand, follow its cooking instructions. I tried a brand that didn’t have any starch or grains in it. But then this dish turned crumbly, though it was still delicious. (I used the Lakanto brand because it already had sugar-free monkfruit sweetener (a fruit grown in China). I didn’t add extra sweetener because Chinese desserts are generally only lightly sweetened. I also didn’t use readymade vegan crescent rolls because some contain palm oil, which is not sustainable.)
  • 3 tablespoons vegan eggs (3 tablespoons flax meal and 9 tablespoons water. When you buy flax meal, put it in the fridge and use it right away. Whisk together and let stand 5-10 minutes until thick).
  • 1/2 cup water 
  • 2 tablespoons oil safe for medium to high heat, such as untoasted sesame oil (which is rich in polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acids)  

Filling:
  • 1 tablespoon flax oil
  • 1 teaspoon red yeast rice (optional). I get mine from Heartland Natural Foods.
  • 1 teaspoon flax meal or seeds (always store seeds and nuts in your fridge so they don’t get rancid)
  • 1 teaspoon rose powder or petals
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric

Instructions

Prepare dough:
  1. Mix all dough ingredients in a large bowl until the dough is formed. 
  2. Remove dough and place onto parchment paper that has no toxic PFAS, such as by If You Care. Top with an additional sheet of parchment paper and roll out. 
  3. Roll a glass jar or rolling pin on top of the parchment paper until dough is about ¼” thick. 

Add filling:
  1. Use a brush or spoon to cover dough with flax oil and red yeast rice.
  2. Sprinkle other filling ingredients on top of flax oil.
  3. Lift one end of the parchment paper roll dough over itself. Repeat until you formed a roll.
  4. Use a sharp knife and cut roll into 6 even-sized rolls.
  5. Place the rolls into a baking dish lined with parchment paper and place into oven at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
  6. Remove rolls from the oven once they begin to brown and let cool for 5 minutes.

Leftovers

After they cool, leave them out at room temperature and eat them ideally within four days.

Updated August 21, 2026

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