Chinese desserts

Homemade Chinese Desserts at Sing Kee

Desserts in China tend to differ from the rest of the world. From the ingredients, texture, shape, all the way to how they are served - Chinese desserts are unique and special in the perfect way!

A general rule of thumb across the globe is that desserts are meant to be served as the last course of a meal, and usually consist of a selection of sweets treats and fruits.

However, in China, they like to spice things up. From the ingredients used to the serving methods, Chinese desserts are a little different...

In China, there is no such thing as ‘different courses’. Chinese desserts are served at any time during the meal, usually, as soon they are ready to be served up. Desserts can also be eaten at any time of the day so whether you fancy a cake for breakfast or before bed, the Chinese cuisine allows for it!

Here are some of the most popular Chinese desserts which can be typically found within a local Chinese bakery.

1. Red bean bun

Red bean paste as a filling is a frequently used ingredient throughout Chinese cuisine and rightfully so considering it is so delicious!

If you ever visit China, you will most definitely encounter red bean paste and may even mistake it for chocolate due to its candid resemblance. The red bean bun is the most popular method of using red bean paste, it consists of a steamed bun filled with red bean paste. They are eaten across China but are most popular in the North region of China.

2. Tangyuan 

Sweet soup balls. Originating from the Sichuan cuisine, this popular sweet dish will undoubtedly be found in every Sichuanese restaurant. It is a warm, sweet soup filled with sticky rice balls and fermented rice. It can often have a slightly alcoholic taste due to the fermented rice. It is traditionally eaten during large family gatherings playing homage to the name - Tangyuan,  which sounds similar to the word used for ‘family gatherings’. It is also eaten during the lantern festival that celebrates the first full moon of the Lunar Calendar, hence the sticky rice balls symbolising the full moon.

3. Deep friend Durian

The most infamous of Chinese fruits, Durian is best known for its strong bad smell. However, regardless of the stench, it is a delicious and very popular fruit. It is commonly served as a dessert, coated in a batter and deep-fried. It is definitely worth a step out of your comfort zone... it is reportedly difficult to remove from your hands once touched.

4. Meat floss cake

Doesn’t sound like a dessert, right? This is a tasty savoury dish that includes a very popular Chinese snack – meat floss. With a texture similar to cotton candy, this dried snack originated from China and is packed full of nutrients and health benefits. It’s often layered up into a cake to create a beautifully fluffy savoury dessert.

5. Egg tarts

First introduced by the Portuguese, this tasty little tart consists of a hard, sweet pastry crust filled with and luscious custard. They are commonly found in Cantonese restaurants and are a very popular little treat throughout the streets of China. Here is a recipe for you to follow at home:

Ingredients

• 250g cups plain flour
• A pinch of salt
• 65g sugar dissolved in 250ml of hot water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 200g unsalted butter - room temperature
• 2 tbsp cold water
• 3 eggs - room temperature
• 120ml evaporated milk - room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Combine the flour, salt, and 1 tbsp of the sugar.
2. Add the butter and mix with a fork or rub it into the mixture with your hands until small crumbs have been formed
3. Add 2 tbsp of cold water to bring the dough together. You may add a little more if needed. Cover the dough and place in the fridge for 20 minutes.
4. Lightly flour your surface to prep the dough on. Place the dough onto the floured surface and slightly knead and roll the dough out using a rolling pin to form a 8 x 20 inch (20x50cm) rectangle.
5. Fold the top third of the dough down to the centre. Then fold the bottom third up and over the remaining dough to form a square. Turn the dough 90o and roll out the dough again to form a rectangle.
6. Repeat step
7. Cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
8. Whisk the eggs and evaporated milk. Add the sugar dissolved in the water, the vanilla extract and whisk. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve.
9. Preheat the oven to 200˚C.
10. Roll the dough out to a thickness of about ¼ inch (5 mm).
11. Cut out circles.
12. Press the dough into your moulds and press all the way up to the edges. You may use a lightly greased cupcake tray
13. Fill each tart with the egg mixture almost to the top.
14. Bake for 15 minutes.
15. Reduce the temperature to 180˚C, and bake for another 12 minutes, just until the custard is set. Let the tarts sit with the oven door ajar for 5 minutes.
16. Enjoy whilst hot.

Sing Kee bakery:

At Sing Kee we have a wide selection of delicious traditional Chinese desserts to offer. Freshly made for your convenience, they are perfect to explore the delicious Chinese cuisine with. Some of the desserts include the mentioned floss cake and egg tarts, and that’s not all! We offer so much more for you to enjoy and there is something for everyone. Check out our Sing Kee bakery online here to experience a taste of China