How to Make the Famous Raindrop Cake (+ How to Make It More Fun!)

First things first: it’s not a cake. The viral “Raindrop Cake” has left many of us raising our eyebrows and longing for more information. I’m here to give you these details, including a recipe to make your own and some suggestions for making your raindrop cake version a more exciting one!

What exactly is a Raindrop Cake made of?

The dessert is actually derived from a Japanese dessert called mizu shingen mochi. I’m not familiar with that particular dessert, but I am very familiar with its main ingredient: Agar, sometimes called agar-agar or kanten.

Growing up in an Asian household, agar was a commonly used ingredient. Agar is a gelling agent made from seaweed. It is vegan (unlike gelatin, which is made from animal byproducts), calorie free, fat free, tasteless, zero carb and full of fiber. You can easily find it in an Asian market, health food store or online. It is sold as powder, flakes, sticks or prepackaged in boxes with sugar already mixed in.

What does it taste like?

Raindrop cakes feel like JELL-O but not as firm and definitely more delicate. They taste like premium, extra-refreshing water, just ever-so-slightly sweet. As for the sensation of eating it? It starts out feeling like putting a delicate JELL-O in your mouth — and then it just smooshes into water.

How to make a raindrop cake at home

Make your raindrop cake by following the instructions below. Use a silicone mold or small, shallow bowls to form the semi-circle raindrop shape (although you can also use any other desired shape).

Note: Always dissolve the agar completely before adding sugar.

Using Agar powder or flakes?

Ingredients:

• 2 cups spring water
• ½ teaspoon agar powder or flakes
• ½ teaspoon sugar

Boil water. Add agar and remove from heat. Stir frequently until agar is dissolved. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. The liquid should be completely clear. Pour or spoon the mixture into molds. Add fruit if desired and refrigerate for at least two hours to set.

Using Agar sticks?

Ingredients:

• 3 cups spring water
• ½ agar stick, soaked in water for 30 minutes
• ½ teaspoon sugar

Soak the agar stick in water to rehydrate it. Ring it out well before use. Boil water, add agar and let dissolve. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. The liquid should be completely clear. Pour or spoon the mixture into molds. Add fruit if desired and refrigerate for at least two hours to set.

Using Agar-Agar ready-mix dessert powder?

Ingredients:

• 3 cups spring water
• 6 teaspoons agar-agar dessert powder

Boil water. Add agar-agar dessert powder and let simmer for a minute until completely dissolved and liquid is clear. Pour or spoon the mixture into molds. Add fruit if desired and refrigerate for at least two hours to set.

Mix-ins and additions

I think the water cake is totally bland by itself, so I added sprinkles or very small chopped fruit that have soft, not-too-fibrous textures (like mango and strawberry). I add mint as well — yum! Try adding your own combination of fruits or sprinkles as the treat starts to set.

To add the mix-ins, pour the liquid into molds and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before adding fruit. Add fruit and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

Sprinkles are always a fun choice!

This strawberry, mint and mango combination is my favorite.