Chinese New Year is a time for celebration, and what’s more celebratory than indulging in sweet treats? As we mark this auspicious holiday, we’re thrilled to share 15 delicious Chinese New Year desserts that are sure to make your festivities even more scrumptious. Whether you’re heading out for a potluck dinner or hosting your own gathering, these tasty morsels will bring joy and satisfaction to all who partake.
We’ve included some old favorites, like Green-Tea Egg Tarts and Almond Cookies, alongside innovative twists on traditional recipes. From sesame-studded pastries to rich, chocolatey cakes, there’s something for everyone in this list. So, let’s dive in and get ready to savor the sweetest part of Chinese New Year!
Snow Skin Mooncake With Salted Egg Ice Cream Filling
Indulge in the ultimate mooncake experience. These bite-sized treats pack a punch with their unique filling and delicate wrapping. The secret lies in the salted egg ice cream filling, infused with savory yolk bits, carefully sealed within a mochi wrapping that’s set to perfection. Each two-bite serving is an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving more. Plus, this recipe is perfect for beginners looking to start their homemade cooking journey, as it’s surprisingly easy to prepare.
Chinese Almond Cookies
You’re probably familiar with the small, crispy cookies that often accompany takeout orders at Chinese restaurants. What sets these treats apart is their rich almond flavor and satisfying texture. The idea that you can replicate this experience at home might seem too good to be true, but it’s not. In fact, making these cookies yourself is surprisingly straightforward. If you’re still skeptical, the proof is in the pudding – or rather, the cookie.
With a little time and effort, you can create a fresh batch of Chinese Almond Cookies that rivals what you’d find at your favorite restaurant. The best part? You don’t have to wait for next Friday night’s takeout order to indulge – just whip up a new batch whenever the craving strikes!
Jujube Date Sticky Rice Cake
Indulge in the authentic flavors of traditional Chinese New Year sweets by trying this Jujube Date Sticky Rice Cake. The cake boasts a unique, taffy-like consistency and a captivating roasted aroma and taste derived from the jujube date jam, which is made with dried jujube dates.
While the jujubes have a subtle yet alluring flavor reminiscent of roasted chestnuts, the dish tempers their natural sweetness and the glutinous texture of sticky rice by introducing an earthy tone that harmonizes beautifully with both ingredients.
Chinese Mango Pudding
Indulge in the sweet delight of this Chinese Mango Pudding, a treat that will quickly become your go-to dessert. Its creamy texture and perfectly balanced sweetness, infused with the essence of ripe mango, make it an irresistible indulgence. While the most crucial aspect of preparing this recipe is selecting the ideal mango, which should be at its peak ripeness to ensure the perfect balance of firmness and softness.
To achieve this, steer clear of overly firm or mushy mangoes; instead, opt for ones that feel soft to the touch, boasting a vibrant yellow-orange hue with minimal or no visible white spots or bruises on the surface.
Rose Ginger Steamed Sponge Cake
This delightful Rose Ginger Steamed Sponge Cake is an ideal Chinese dessert for gifting and sharing with loved ones. The subtle rose flavor and the fresh ginger’s zesty kick elevate this classic treat to new heights. A unique aspect of this recipe is that it yields two cakes, allowing you to share one with a friend or enjoy both with your family, which in Chinese culture, is said to double your luck.
With its scrumptious taste and generous portion, get ready to indulge in this delectable dessert!
Peanut Tang Yuan (Glutinous Rice Balls)
When hosting a dinner party, impress your guests with a traditional Chinese dessert – Tang Yuan glutinous rice ball dumplings. Typically served in sweet syrup or savory soup, these bite-sized treats share similarities with Japanese mochi. The sticky and chewy texture is owed to their glutinous rice dough composition.
These glutinous rice balls come in various shapes and sizes, from large to small, and can be either filled or unfilled.
For a simple yet delightful experience, try this recipe for unfilled Tang Yuan balls. Alternatively, feel free to get creative with red bean-filled or sesame-dusted variations!
Jian Dui (Sesame Seed Balls)
The quintessential Chinese dessert has been nailed to perfection. Think deep-fried, stuffed with sweet red bean paste, and coated in crunchy sesame seeds. These three elements combined create the iconic Jian Dui sesame seed balls that are typically served as part of a dim sum spread or at traditional tea houses. But let’s be real – there’s no rule against indulging in these tasty treats whenever you please!
For the filling, red bean paste is a popular choice and can be found at most Asian grocery stores or online. However, feel free to get creative and experiment with alternative fillings like coconut, mung bean, or black sesame paste – each offering a unique flavor profile.
Pineapple Bun
Pineapple Buns are a beloved tradition in Hong Kong bakeries, with their cloud-like texture and misleading name. Despite having no actual pineapple inside, these buns earn their moniker from the sweet, pinecone-like crust on top that develops during baking. This unique topping is thinner than typical bun tops but adds a delightful textural contrast to the soft, fluffy interior.
The dough’s secret ingredient is Tangzhong, a flour-and-water paste that enhances water absorption and yields an incredibly airy consistency.
Chinese Pumpkin Cake
The simplicity of Chinese Pumpkin Cake recipes belies their incredible flavor and versatility. With just three ingredients – glutinous rice flour, pumpkin, and sugar – these treats defy expectations by being both crispy and crunchy on the outside, and soft and sticky on the inside. The option to stuff them with red bean paste adds an extra layer of complexity, making for a truly unique dessert experience.
What’s more, these cakes are surprisingly low in sweetness, allowing the natural sweetness of the pumpkin to shine through. Of course, feel free to adjust the sugar content to your taste or serve it on the side for dipping – the possibilities are endless!
Tofu Pudding
The concept of tofu pudding might seem perplexing at first. But, let’s dive in and explore this intriguing Vietnamese and Chinese dessert together! Tofu pudding is essentially soft, silky beancurd that serves as a light and refreshing finish to any meal. It can be savored chilled during the warmer months or enjoyed warm straight from the pot. What really takes it to the next level are those delightful chewy black sesame balls on top – a match made in heaven for your taste buds!
Imagine the perfect combination of textures and flavors, all wrapped up in a delightful dessert experience.
Fa Gao
Indulging in Fa Gao during Chinese New Year just got a whole lot more appealing! Not only do you get to enjoy the delicious treats, but you also have the opportunity to learn about the rich history and symbolism behind this beloved dessert. The process of making Fa Gao is a great way to get into the spirit of the holiday. By combining rice flour with other ingredients, steaming it in a mold before baking, you’ll be rewarded with a cake that’s as light and airy as angel food or sponge cake.
But what truly sets Fa Gao apart from other cakes is its unique texture – it’s incredibly spongy and bouncy, making it a true delight to behold. In fact, you can even squeeze the little puffs in your hand and watch as they spring right back into shape!
Nian Gao
As the Chinese New Year approaches, families worldwide gather around the table to savor traditional flavors. While regional variations abound in China, there’s one dish that transcends cultural boundaries: Nian Gao, or Chinese New Year cake. This sticky-sweet treat is a beloved favorite among children and adults alike, with its soft, gooey texture and subtle sweetness. But what makes it so special?
It’s a cake crafted from glutinous rice flour and brown sugar, boasting a bolder sweetness than its mochi counterpart. And the best part? You can also use Nian Gao as an ingredient in savory dishes like fried rice cakes.
Chocolate Chinese Five-Spice Cake
Get ready for your holiday dessert table to shine with this show-stopping Chocolate Chinese Five-Spice Cake. Rich, indulgent flavors of clove, fennel, star anise, cinnamon, and a hint of pepper come together in perfect harmony. This cake stands out from the crowd thanks to the unique flavor boost from five-spice powder, offering a taste experience that’s hard to find elsewhere. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make!
Your guests will be wowed by the depth of flavors and the perfect balance of spices, making this cake an instant hit with anyone who tries it.
Eight-Treasure Rice Pudding
While egg tarts and mango pudding are certainly iconic Chinese desserts, there’s a vast world of sweet treats waiting to be explored. One such gem is the eight-treasure rice pudding, a beloved traditional dish from China’s Cantonese region. This comforting dessert not only satisfies your cravings but also boasts an impressive simplicity in its preparation. With fewer treasures than you might find in typical recipes, this rendition strikes a perfect balance between texture and taste.
Give it a try, and we’re confident you’ll be returning for repeated servings! The sweetness of the rice pudding is enhanced by the inclusion of eight carefully selected ingredients – hence the name ‘eight-treasure.’ It’s an experience that will leave you craving more.
Baked Egg Custard Tarts
This humble custard recipe is a perfect starting point for any cooking enthusiast looking to get started with ease. With its simplicity and versatility, Baked Egg Custard Tarts are an excellent choice for beginners. You can shape them into individual servings in cute cups or use a pie crust to create traditional Chinese egg tarts. The best part?
They’re suitable for any time of day – whether you prefer them as a sweet breakfast treat, a satisfying brunch option, or even as a unique dessert for dinner. Whichever way you choose to make this custard-based delight, rest assured it will be a crowd-pleaser.
The bottom line
Indulge in the sweet festivities of Chinese New Year by treating your loved ones to a delightful dessert. This list of Chinese desserts serves as the perfect inspiration to get you started, or feel free to experiment and create your own unique recipes by combining different fillings, toppings, and wrappings. Don’t be daunted if you’re not a seasoned baker – there are plenty of tasty options to try.
Allow this curated selection of 15 best Chinese New Year desserts to guide you in preparing a spread that’s sure to impress the whole family.
