May has pleasant weather and is a great season to spend time outdoors.
On sunny days, we recommend hosting a little tea party outside.
How about making some sweets that are perfect for May to go along with your tea?
In this article, we’ve carefully selected treats that are ideal for May—such as sweets made with strawberries and matcha, and snacks that evoke Children’s Day.
Of course, we’ve chosen options that are simple and safe to make so that older adults can enjoy them as a recreational activity.
Handmade treats prepared together are sure to be enjoyed by seniors as well.
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[For Seniors] Treat Activities That Capture the Season to Make in May (1–10)
Koinobori and kashiwa mochi
When you think of May, carp streamers come to mind, right? For a May snack activity, how about adorable carp streamer–style kashiwa mochi? Put joshinko (rice flour) and water in a bowl and stir with chopsticks until no dry flour remains, then loosely cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 5 minutes and 30 seconds.
Soak the kashiwa leaves in water.
Place the warmed dough on parchment paper and knead it.
Since the dough tends to stick to your hands, kneading it on parchment paper is a great idea! Roll sweet red bean paste inside a long, thin strip of dough, then use a little water-thinned bean paste to draw the eyes and scales, and you’re done.
These super cute carp streamer kashiwa mochi are a must-try—give them a go!
Red bean and cheese hotteok
How about trying “anko cheese hotteok,” where the sweetness of red bean paste and the saltiness of cheese create a wonderfully exquisite balance? Hotteok is a traditional snack that’s popular at Korean street stalls.
Some older adults may not be familiar with it, so this is a great chance to try a new flavor! It’s very easy to make.
Put the ingredients in a bowl and knead until there’s no dry flour left.
Since we’re using pancake mix, it’s nice that you can make it with just a few ingredients.
Wrap smooth red bean paste and cheese in the dough, seal it tightly, and then cook it.
Using a griddle lets you enjoy the cooking process, too.
Relax and enjoy the soothing combination of gooey, melty cheese and sweet anko!
Koinobori Soufflé Cheesecake
Let us introduce a souffle cheesecake that captures the spirit of May, decorated like a koi nobori (carp streamer).
The ingredients are cream cheese, eggs, and granulated sugar—another nice point is that you only need a few items! Put the cream cheese in a bowl and mix it with the egg yolks.
Start mixing with a spatula, then finish by whisking thoroughly.
In a separate bowl, combine the egg whites with the granulated sugar to make a meringue.
Add the meringue little by little to the cream cheese mixture, gently folding from the bottom with a cutting motion.
Fold one end of a rectangular aluminum cup to create the tail of the koi nobori.
Pour in the batter and steam-bake it in the oven, then use a chocolate pen to draw the eyes and scales to finish.
It’s sure to be a hit if you make it at home with your grandchildren.
Koinobori Castella
Here’s a dessert idea: carp-shaped koinobori made with castella cake.
Store-bought castella is usually rectangular.
Slice the rectangle into narrower pieces, then cut one end into a triangle to create a koinobori shape.
Use your favorite fruits to make the scales, and add facial features with jam or a chocolate pen.
It’s easy to make, so bringing a homemade dessert along for a walk with an elderly person is also recommended.
With a delicious treat and pleasant conversation, you’re sure to enjoy a lovely spring day.
koinobori cake
Let me introduce a carp streamer (koinobori) cake that’s perfect for a May snack.
While sponge cake is often used, this time we’ll make it with sliced bread.
Of course, sponge cake works just fine, too.
Cut the bread into the shape of a koinobori, spread on cream, and decorate with fruit.
If you add cream cheese or yogurt to whipped cream, it gives extra richness and a refreshing tang.
The slight tartness of the cream makes for a pleasant taste that suits May, when it can start to feel a bit warm.
It’s an activity that older adults can also make at the table while seated, so everyone can enjoy this snack-time recreation.
Please use this as a reference and give it a try!
matcha cake
May is when tea leaf picking is in full swing.
How about making a matcha cake as a tea-themed snack activity? Believe it or not, this recipe can be made in a rice cooker! The key is to use pancake mix, which makes snacks easy to prepare.
Simply mix pancake mix, milk, eggs, and matcha powder, pour the batter into the rice cooker, and cook on the cake mode.
If your rice cooker doesn’t have a cake mode, use the regular white rice setting.
The striking look when you take it out of the rice cooker is fun too, so older adults are sure to enjoy it!
Strawberry shortcake in a cup
A cup shortcake made with pancake mix and ice cream.
You don’t need to prepare eggs or milk—just mix the ingredients and heat them in the microwave, making it a dessert that seniors can make with confidence.
First, melt the ice cream in the microwave, then add the pancake mix and stir well.
Pour the batter into a container lined with parchment paper, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave.
Once the cake has cooled thoroughly, cut it, pack it into a container, and add whipped cream and strawberries.
Spread more whipped cream over the surface of the cake, top with powdered sugar and strawberries, and it’s ready to serve.
