19 Traditional Chinese Dessert Recipe Cook Up Something Special!
Published on: Mar 25, 2024
Traditional Chinese desserts are an integral part of Chinese cuisine, with a long history and cultural significance. These sweet treats are not only delicious but also carry symbolic meanings and are often served during special occasions or festivals. Today, we will be sharing a classic traditional Chinese dessert recipe that is easy to make and will surely satisfy your sweet tooth. So, get your apron on and let's get started!
If you're a fan of sweet and chewy treats, then Chinese chews are a must-try dessert for you. These bite-sized snacks are made with a combination of corn flakes, coconut, and dates, creating a unique and irresistible texture that will leave you wanting more. The best part? They're incredibly easy to make, so you can enjoy them whenever the craving strikes.
If you've ever been to a Chinese bakery, then you've probably seen these delicious egg custard tarts on display. They're a popular dessert in Chinese cuisine, with a flaky pastry crust filled with a smooth and creamy egg custard. The secret to making the perfect Chinese egg custard tarts is in the ratio of eggs to milk, creating a delicate balance of sweet and savory flavors.
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Chinese New Year Cupcakes – Nian Gao
Main Ingredients: Glutinous Rice Flour, Milk, Eggs, Vegetable Oil, Brown
Celebrate the Chinese New Year with these festive and delicious Nian Gao cupcakes. Nian Gao, also known as Chinese New Year cake, is a sticky, sweet rice cake that is traditionally eaten during the holiday. These cupcakes put a modern twist on the classic dessert by incorporating it into a light and fluffy cupcake, topped with a creamy frosting and a sprinkle of festive decorations.
Similar to the more well-known Portuguese egg tarts, Chinese egg tarts are a staple in Chinese bakeries and dim sum restaurants. These delectable treats are made with a flaky pastry crust and filled with a silky smooth egg custard. The unique flavor comes from the addition of evaporated milk, giving it a rich and creamy texture that will have you coming back for more.
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Chinese Egg Pudding, my Organic Dessert
Main Ingredients: Milk, Sugar, Eggs
For a healthier twist on traditional Chinese desserts, try this recipe for Chinese egg pudding. Made with only three simple ingredients – eggs, milk, and sugar – this dessert is surprisingly light and refreshing. It's also a great way to use up any leftover egg whites you may have from making other Chinese desserts. Top it off with some fresh fruit for a guilt-free treat.
This traditional Chinese dessert is a favorite among those who love the taste of almonds. Made with ground almonds, milk, and sugar, this dessert has a creamy and nutty flavor that is both satisfying and comforting. It's also a great option for those who have a dairy intolerance, as it can easily be made with almond milk instead of regular milk.
These Chinese buffet style donuts are a must-try for anyone who loves donuts. They are light, fluffy, and coated in a crispy, sugary glaze that will satisfy any sweet tooth. The secret to their unique texture is in the use of yeast and baking powder, which gives them a light and airy consistency. Serve them with a cup of tea or coffee for the perfect afternoon snack.
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Easy Chinese Moon Cakes
Main Ingredients: Sugar, Egg Yolks, Salted Butter, All Purpose Flour
Moon cakes are a traditional treat eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival in China. These easy Chinese moon cakes are a simplified version of the classic dessert, using store-bought puff pastry instead of making the dough from scratch. The filling is a sweet and nutty combination of almond paste and sesame paste, creating a delicious and indulgent treat that is perfect for any occasion.
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Chinese Sweet Peanut Cream Dessert (Fah Sang Wu)
Main Ingredients: Roasted Peanuts, Toasted Sesame Seeds, Water, Sugar
This Chinese sweet peanut cream dessert, also known as Fah Sang Wu, is a popular street food in China. It's a unique and delicious combination of peanuts, glutinous rice flour, and sweetened condensed milk, creating a creamy and indulgent dessert that is perfect for any time of day. Top it off with some crushed peanuts and a drizzle of honey for added texture and flavor.
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Bai Tang Gao - Pak Thong Koh (Chinese White Honeycomb...
Main Ingredients: Rice Flour, Water, Sugar, Instant Yeast
Bai Tang Gao, also known as Pak Thong Koh or Chinese White Honeycomb, is a traditional Chinese dessert that is both delicious and visually stunning. This sponge cake gets its unique texture from the use of yeast, which creates a honeycomb-like pattern on the surface. It's a light and airy dessert that is perfect for serving at parties or special occasions.
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Red Bean and Coconut Rice Cake Chinese New Year Dessert
Main Ingredients: Red Beans, Brown Sugar, Salt, Glutinous Rice Flour
Red bean and coconut rice cake is a popular Chinese New Year dessert that is both sweet and savory. The combination of red beans and coconut gives this dessert a rich and creamy texture, while the glutinous rice flour creates a chewy and satisfying consistency. It's a delicious way to ring in the Chinese New Year and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
This Chinese egg cake is a simple and delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Made with just a few basic ingredients – eggs, sugar, and flour – this cake has a light and airy texture and a subtle sweetness that makes it a hit with both kids and adults. Serve it with a cup of tea for a delightful afternoon treat.
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How to Make Chinese Dumplings from Scratch
Main Ingredients: Flour, Water, Dumpling
Chinese dumplings, also known as potstickers, are a popular appetizer in Chinese cuisine. Making them from scratch may seem like a daunting task, but with this easy-to-follow recipe, you'll be making delicious dumplings in no time. The key is in the filling, which can be customized to your liking with a variety of meats and vegetables.
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Chinese Sweet Almond Dessert Soup (with Egg White)- 杏仁露
Main Ingredients: Almonds, Glutinous Rice, Water, Rock Sugar, Salt, Egg
This Chinese sweet almond dessert soup, also known as 杏仁露 (xìng rén lù), is a popular dessert in Cantonese cuisine. It's a light and refreshing dessert that is perfect for hot summer days. The addition of egg whites gives it a silky smooth texture, and the use of almond extract adds a deliciously nutty flavor.
This Chinese steamed sponge cake is a classic dessert that is both light and fluffy. The key to making the perfect steamed sponge cake is in the folding technique, ensuring that the batter is mixed just enough to create a delicate and airy texture. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream and some fresh fruit for a delightful treat.
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How to make Chinese New Year Cake - Nin Gao
Main Ingredients: Glutinous Rice Flour, Rice Flour, Brown Sugar, Hot
Nin Gao, also known as Chinese New Year cake, is a traditional dessert eaten during the Chinese New Year holiday. It's a sticky and sweet rice cake that symbolizes good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year. This recipe walks you through the process of making Nin Gao from scratch, including how to prepare the rice flour and steam the cake to perfection.
If you've ever been to a dim sum restaurant, then you've probably seen these steamed custard buns on the menu. Made with a soft and fluffy bun filled with a creamy and sweet custard, these buns are a must-try for any fan of Chinese cuisine. They can be enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet snack any time of day.
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Chinese Sticky Rice Cake with Coconut Milk, Steamed...
Main Ingredients: Glutinous Rice Flour, Rice Flour, Sugar, Water, Coconut
This Chinese sticky rice cake with coconut milk is a mouth-watering dessert that is sure to impress your taste buds. The sticky rice cake is soaked in coconut milk, giving it a rich and creamy flavor, while the addition of red beans adds a subtle sweetness. It's a popular dessert during the Chinese New Year holiday, but can be enjoyed all year round.
This Chinese New Year cake, also known as Nian Gao, is a must-have dessert during the Chinese New Year holiday. It's a sticky and sweet rice cake that symbolizes good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year. This recipe shows you how to make Nian Gao from scratch, including how to prepare the rice flour and steam the cake to perfection.
These Chinese fried walnuts are a delicious and addictive snack that is perfect for any occasion. The walnuts are coated in a sweet and savory glaze, giving them a crispy and crunchy texture that is hard to resist. They are often served as a snack during Chinese New Year celebrations, but can be enjoyed any time of year.
The History of Chinese Desserts
The Origins
The history of Chinese desserts can be traced back to the Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BCE), where sweetened rice was used as offerings to the gods. Over time, the art of dessert-making evolved and became a vital part of Chinese culture, with each region in China having its own unique sweet delicacies. Traditional Chinese desserts are often made with natural ingredients such as fruits, beans, and rice, making them not only tasty but also healthy.
The Symbolism
In Chinese culture, desserts are not just a sweet treat but also carry symbolic meanings. For example, the round shape of tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) represents unity and completeness, often served during the Winter Solstice festival to symbolize family reunion. Red bean soup, a popular dessert in Chinese cuisine, is believed to bring good luck and prosperity due to its red color, which symbolizes happiness and good fortune.
The Recipe: Tangyuan
Ingredients
1 cup glutinous rice flour
1/2 cup hot water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup crushed peanuts
1 tsp vegetable oil
Instructions
In a mixing bowl, combine glutinous rice flour with hot water and mix until a smooth dough forms.
In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, white sugar, and water. Cook over medium heat until the sugars are dissolved and a syrup forms.
Divide the dough into small balls and flatten them into discs. Place a small amount of sesame seeds and crushed peanuts in the center of each disc and seal the edges to form a ball.
In a pot of boiling water, cook the tangyuan for about 5 minutes or until they float to the surface.
Remove the tangyuan from the water and place them in a bowl of cold water to cool down.
Heat a pan with vegetable oil and fry the tangyuan until they turn golden brown.
Drizzle the prepared syrup over the fried tangyuan and serve hot.
Enjoy the Sweetness of Tradition
As you take your first bite of these warm and crispy tangyuan, you will not only be indulging in a delicious dessert but also savoring the rich history and symbolism behind it. This traditional Chinese dessert recipe is a perfect example of how food can bring people together and create a sense of cultural connection. So, why not gather your loved ones and treat them to this delightful sweet treat? We're sure they will thank you for it!