Manju (Japanese Sweet Bean Paste Cookies) Recipe

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.

Beat sugar and butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Beat eggs 1 at a time into creamed butter until smooth; add vanilla extract and beat well.

Sift flour and baking powder together in a bowl. Gradually stir flour mixture into butter mixture mixing well after each addition until dough is smooth.

Generously flour your hands. Make walnut-size balls from the dough and press into 4-inch circles on a floured surface making the circles thicker in the center and thinner on the edges. Spoon about 1 1/2 teaspoons koshi an in the center of each dough circle. Gather the edges together and pinch dough around the filling until sealed. Place dough balls pinched-side down on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Brush dough balls with evaporated milk.

Bake in the preheated oven until tops are lightly browned about 15 minutes.