[Elderly] Feel the Arrival of Spring with Snack Activities! Recommended Menus for March

Sakura mochi in a frying pan

[Easy in a frying pan] How to make sakuramochi☆ Simple even for first-timers 🌸 Recipe for three-color sakuramochi☆ Kanto-style sakuramochi arranged in three colors! Delicious sakuramochi that stays moist and chewy the next day!

When it comes to Hinamatsuri classics, sakura mochi is a must—and you can actually make it with just a frying pan.

For the filling, prepare your preferred sweet bean paste: smooth koshian or chunky tsubuan.

The batter ingredients are water, shiratamako (glutinous rice flour), cake flour, sugar, and salt.

Put the ingredients in a bowl and mix while gradually adding water.

Once the mixture is no longer powdery, let the batter rest for about 20 minutes.

In the spirit of Hinamatsuri, add matcha powder for a green batter, or food coloring or sakura powder for a pink one.

Cook the batter in a frying pan, wrap it around the bean paste, and you’re done.

Even older adults can safely handle the wrapping step.

If you have salted cherry blossoms or leaves, they add a lovely aroma and appearance—just be sure to desalinate them thoroughly.

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kojifumi

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Mitarashi dango

[Homemade Snack] Simple, Delicious, and Healthy ❤︎ Made tofu Mitarashi dango as a little treat ★

When it comes to Hinamatsuri sweets, the classic is the three-color dango, but today we’ll introduce the familiar favorite: mitarashi dango.

It’s simple to make.

Mix shiratamako (glutinous rice flour), tofu, and sugar well to form a dough.

Once it reaches earlobe-like softness, roll it into small balls and boil them.

When they float to the surface, wait 2–3 minutes, then cool them in ice water.

If you like, lightly sear them in a frying pan to add a bit of char—it’s recommended.

For the mitarashi glaze, combine water, sugar, soy sauce, potato starch, and mirin in a saucepan, heat while stirring well, and once it thickens, it’s ready.

Making these together with older adults can serve as hand and finger exercise, and when it’s snack time, it’s sure to spark conversation like, “You did a great job,” or “This one turned out a bit big, didn’t it?”

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kojifumi

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Wheat Gluten Rusk

How to Make Fu Rusk ♪ [Easy] [Homemade Sweets] [Rusk Recipe]

Colorful rusk that looks like hina-arare.

Believe it or not, you can make it with dried wheat gluten (fu)! Mix condensed milk and butter, melt them in the microwave, then combine with the fu and add sugar.

Bake in a preheated oven, then tint some pieces pink with sakura or raspberry powder and others green with matcha powder.

Dust each with powdered sugar, and you’re done! These bite-sized treats are easy to eat even for seniors and make a super simple snack—give them a try!

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SAKI

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Hinamatsuri steamed buns

We made three-color steamed buns for Hinamatsuri as a couple, and it created a tense mood | Snack Lab

Let me introduce a simple and cute steamed bread you can make just by mixing the batter and steaming it in a frying pan.

The plain batter uses cake flour, granulated sugar, milk, and oil.

Prepare three types by adding matcha powder for green and sakura powder for pink in addition to the plain batter.

Once the batter is ready, pour it into glassine cups.

You can make them in a single color or swirl three colors together for a cute look.

You can also add chocolate, sweetened beans, nuts, etc., to the batter to taste.

Place the cups in a frying pan with a little hot water and steam until done.

Since the mixing step is safe, this is also recommended as a recreational activity in senior care facilities.

Please give it a try!

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kojifumi

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Tricolor Mousse

Easy with 4 ingredients! Hinamatsuri three-color mousse

A three-color mousse is the perfect dessert for Hinamatsuri.

The three colors represent the hues of hishimochi.

Red symbolizes peach blossoms, green represents fresh greenery, and white evokes snow.

First, use marshmallows and milk for the white layer.

For the green layer, use matcha.

For the red layer, use strawberry jam.

Pour each color into the cup in separate layers and chill in the refrigerator.

Finish with whipped cream and strawberries on top, and it’s ready.

It’s a beautiful and easy-to-eat dessert, making it a great recommendation for seniors.

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Nanaka

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Warabi Mochi in Anmitsu Style

Oyachube! “Anmitsu-style Warabi Mochi”

Here’s an original Japanese-style dessert idea: warabi mochi prepared in an anmitsu style.

For seniors, both anmitsu and warabi mochi are familiar treats, so combining the two—along with the refreshing presentation—will surely be a hit.

It’s also simple to make: for both the warabi mochi and the agar jelly used in anmitsu, you just heat the ingredients while stirring, then chill to set.

It’s easy and convenient.

By the way, you can also use store-bought versions of either (or both) and simply plate them up, so feel free to adapt it to your schedule.

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Hane Keisuke

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Fluffy Marshmallow Mousse

[Only 3 Ingredients] How to Make Fluffy Marshmallow Mousse [Easy Snack]

The “Fluffy Marshmallow Mousse,” which evokes the arrival of spring, is a lovely snack activity to enjoy with seniors.

The key is that anyone can make it easily—just mix the ingredients together.

Its airy texture and gentle sweetness are sure to bring smiles to seniors’ faces.

You can also enjoy variations by adding fruit or coloring it pink for Hinamatsuri.

Why not make it together with seniors and spend a delightful time while feeling the coming of spring?