Baked Manju

Ingredients

 * 1 cup butter, softened, plus extra butter (for buttering parchment)
 * ½ cup sugar
 * 2½ cups flour
 * 9 ounces red azuki bean paste (tsubushian) or koshian (about ½ can)
 * 1 egg, beaten

Directions

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