39 min
Prep Time
57 min
Cook Time
Easy
Level
6
Servings

Anko is a sweet red bean paste that's used to hold together pastries, cakes, and other desserts that come from Japan. Store cooled anko in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried red beans

  • 1 ½ cups white sugar

Method

  1. Gather all ingredients.

  2. Place beans in a saucepan and cover with 2 cups water; bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes.

  3. Drain beans and transfer to a clean saucepan.

  4. Cover with 2 to 3 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer, adding more water as needed, until beans are soft and can be crushed between your fingers, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

  5. Drain beans and return to the saucepan. Add sugar and set over medium-high heat.

  6. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar melts and beans form a loose, shiny paste, about 10 minutes.

  7. Immediately transfer paste to a container to cool.