Ultimate List of Mochi Cake (Nian Gao) Flavor Variations

Are you in search of exciting new mochi flavors to make next? Here's a helpful list of 10+ mouthwatering mochi cake / nian gao flavor variations to get you started. From the sweet pink strawberry mochi cake to the rich and buttery butter corn mochi cake, there's a mochi flavor for everyone.

***I may use mochi cake and nian gao (the Chinese variation of mochi cake) interchangeably.

1. Strawberry

This Deliciously Soft & Chewy Baked Strawberry Mochi Cake features a delightful combination of mochi with the pink color and fruity flavor of strawberries. To serve, dust some powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream on top for an extra touch of sweetness.

2. Avocado

Avocados just got tastier! These vibrant green mochi blondies are made with a big helping of mashed avocados, sweet rice flour and almond flour. A subtle savory flavor comes from the avocado, and the addicting chewy, toothsome texture and bite from the rice flour. So much in love~ It's a perfect healthy treat whenever I'm craving some mochi!

3. Green Onion & Potato

Green Onion and Potato Mochi Cake combines the irresistibly chewy texture of mochi with the savory goodness of green onions and potatoes. The addition of chopped green onions and diced cooked potatoes adds a burst of savory goodness to every bite.

4. Pumpkin

Get ready to savor the flavors of the festive season with this delightful Pumpkin Mochi Cake! The warm and spicy notes of fall and winter come alive with the addition of pumpkin, walnuts, raisins, and diced candied ginger. Each slice is a joy to enjoy, especially when paired with a comforting glass of hot oolong tea.

5. Sweet Potato

The addition of sweet potatoes to this delightful sweet potato nian gao not only enhances the flavor but also adds a healthy twist to the recipe! With the goodness of high fiber and moisture content from the sweet potatoes, this mochi cake remains soft and delectable for days.

6. Purple Ube

Get ready to enjoy a special treat with this Purple Ube Mochi Cake! It's a delicious dessert that's easy to make, and it's perfect for those who can't have gluten or dairy. Ube, also known as purple yam, is a vibrant ingredient widely used in Asian cuisine, especially desserts. With its natural purple hue, this sweet potato variety adds a beautiful pop of color to the mochi cake.

7. Chocolate & Banana

Rich, Fudgy and loaded with Chocolate Chips, these chocolate chip & banana mochi brownies make perfect snacks for anyone who loves the chewy, toothsome bite of a traditional mochi but looking for something different and also healthier.

8. Almond Milk Coffee

This coffee nian gao cake is so easy to make and can be made ahead of time and has an amazing flavor that comes from almond milk and dehydrated coffee, aka instant coffee. The addition of the chestnuts and raisins add both texture and sweetness, but you’re welcome to play around with the add ins by trying different dried fruits, nuts and seeds.

9. Taro

Perfectly baked to perfection, this gluten-free baked Taro Nian Gao recipe is a delightful twist on the beloved Chinese Lunar New Year dessert. Sweet, sticky and blended with mashed cooked taro, you'll love the earthy, subtly sweet flavors of taro that comes through each delectable bite

10. Peanut Butter

Made with peanut butter, almond milk, glutinous rice flour and tapioca flour, you’ll get crunchy, tender, soft and chewy in every bite. My favorite way to serve this peanut butter mochi is to slice and pan-fry them in a bit of coconut oil which makes the edges nice and crispy.

11. Butter Corn Mochi Cake

You can finally enjoy the scrumptious flavors of butter corn and mochi together with this easy-to-make Vegan Butter Corn Mochi Cake! Blending together the goodness of corn kernels and mochiko flour, this unique treat offers a soft and chewy texture that's both savory and sweet. Just let your food processor do the work for you as you create this savory twist on the classic mochi cake.

12. Apple

Here's a healthy apple mochi cake (nian gao) recipe that is sweet and soft, with all the scrumptious flavors of fall in each bite. The secret lies in the applesauce, which adds natural sweetness and imparts a soft, moist texture to the mochi.

With this list of 10+ delectable mochi cake flavors, here's hoping you'll never run out of delicious options to try. Whether you have a sweet tooth or crave savory delights, these mochi cakes offer something for everyone to enjoy.

See All my Mochi Cake Recipes (HERE)