Baked Manju

Ingredients

 * 1 cup butter, softened, plus
 * extra butter (for buttering parchment)
 * 1/2 cup sugar
 * 2 1/2 cups flour
 * 9 ounces red azuki bean paste (tsubushian) or koshian (about 1/2 can)
 * 1 egg, beaten

Directions

 * Preheat oven to 350°F Line baking sheet with buttered parchment.
 * In large bowl of electric mixer, cream butter and sugar; add flour and mix well.
 * Form dough into 2-inch balls.
 * Flatten each ball slightly and place 1 tablespoon of an in the center.
 * Fold dough over an and pinch the ends together.
 * Place filled dough balls on baking sheets, seam side down (smooth side up).
 * Brush tops with egg.
 * Bake for 40 minutes or until lightly browned on top.