22 Delicious Chinese Desserts You’ll Crave
Authentic Chinese desserts celebrate a balance of subtle flavors, delicate textures, and natural ingredients, reflecting the art of Chinese cuisine. These desserts bring a unique taste, from creamy and sweet to slightly tangy, often highlighting traditional methods and local flavors.
Many recipes use gentle sweetness, creating treats that feel light yet satisfying. These desserts are enjoyed during festivals, family gatherings, or as simple indulgences, showcasing their versatility.
From beautiful presentations to intricate flavors, each dessert tells a cultural story. Explore 22 authentic Chinese desserts that bring a taste of tradition to your table:
Fortune Cookies
Fortune cookies are a signature dessert that embodies the whimsical charm of Chinese cuisine.
These crispy treats conceal tiny slips of paper, offering prophetic messages or wise proverbs, adding an element of surprise to your dining experience.
Crafted from a delicate batter made with egg whites, sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and flour, they require skillful folding for that perfect shape.
While making fortune cookies can be intricate due to their unique texture and form, creating them at home allows you to infuse personal touches into each one.
Almond Jelly
Almond jelly is a beloved dessert in China, known for its refreshing and delicate qualities. This traditional treat features a smooth texture created from water, gelatine powder, sugar, and almond extract.
Often presented with fruit salad and drizzled with sweet syrup, it serves as an excellent palate cleanser following rich meals. With its simplicity in preparation, anyone can easily enjoy this authentic Chinese delicacy at home or when dining out.
The lightness of almond jelly makes it a perfect way to conclude any meal on a delightful note.
Mango Pudding
Mango pudding captures the essence of fresh, ripe mangoes in every bite. This creamy treat draws from British influences while embracing Asian culinary traditions, resulting in a smooth and luscious mousse-like consistency.
Crafted with simple ingredients like gelatine, sugar, and evaporated milk blended with vibrant mango puree, this dish serves as an ideal palate cleanser after any meal. Often presented in whimsical shapes such as goldfish or koi, symbols of good fortune, it adds a playful touch to your dining experience.
Its refreshing sweetness makes it a favorite choice for those looking to indulge their senses without overwhelming richness.
Egg Custard Tarts
Egg custard tarts are a sweet treat that traces its origins to Hong Kong, drawing inspiration from the Portuguese pastel de nata.
With their flaky, buttery pastry base and smooth egg custard filling, these tarts have gained popularity across China as a cherished dessert option after meals.
The process involves crafting small rounds of pastry filled with a fragrant custard mixture before baking them to golden perfection.
These little pastries offer an easy-to-follow recipe that you can whip up in under 15 minutes at home, making them an accessible indulgence whenever you're in the mood for something sweet.
Red Bean Mooncakes
Red bean mooncakes are often enjoyed during the Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinese culture. These unique desserts diverge from typical cakes; instead of airy layers, they feature a dense dough encasing sweet red bean paste.
Crafting these treats requires precision and care, with each cake meticulously filled by hand before being shaped in intricately designed molds that highlight their distinct appearance. They serve not only as a delicious end to family feasts but also embody the spirit of togetherness during festive gatherings.
The art of making red bean mooncakes is an experience that connects generations through time-honored techniques and flavors.
Pineapple Cakes
Pineapple cakes are a Chinese pastry often enjoyed during the Lunar New Year celebrations.
These square-shaped delights feature a tender, cookie-like crust crafted from flour, custard powder, and butter.
Inside each piece lies a luscious pineapple jam that adds a sweet floral note to every bite.
Traditionally prepared for festive occasions, these treats encapsulate the spirit of celebration with their tropical essence and rich flavors that leave an impression long after they’re gone.
Bubble Tea
Bubble tea is a delightful beverage that originated in Taiwan during the 1980s, capturing hearts globally with its unique combination of flavors and textures.
At its core, this drink features a base of black tea mixed with milk and sugar, served over ice and crowned with chewy tapioca pearls that create an enjoyable mouthfeel.
You can customize the sweetness level to match your taste preference or experiment with various tea blends for added depth.
Today, bubble tea shops populate cities worldwide, offering innovative flavor profiles ranging from fruity to creamy delights that cater to every palate.
Chinese Walnut Cookies
Chinese walnut cookies are characterized by their thin, crumbly texture and the rich flavor of walnuts.
Crafted from a simple dough made with flour, baking powder, and sugar, these cookies get an extra crunch from sesame seeds mixed in before they’re baked to perfection.
These snacks stand out due to their subtle sweetness that allows the nutty flavors to shine without overwhelming your palate.
With fewer calories compared to many desserts, you can savor them guilt-free alongside your favorite Chinese tea for a soothing experience that's both satisfying and comforting at any time of day.
Nyonya Pineapple Tarts
Nyonya pineapple tarts are a pastry hailing from the Malaysian city of Malacca, now cherished throughout Eastern Asia.
These treats feature a buttery crust crafted with flour, eggs, salt, and water that cradles a zesty filling made from fresh pineapples infused with cloves and cinnamon.
The result is an exquisite dessert that's not only sweet but also rich in flavor and tradition.
Often prepared for festive occasions within Chinese culture, these tarts encapsulate the joy of celebration in every bite while showcasing unique regional influences you can't resist exploring further.
Fried Milk
Fried milk is a unique dessert that transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary. By blending milk with cornstarch, you create a thick, creamy base that's then chilled until it firms up.
After setting in the refrigerator, this mixture gets rolled in breadcrumbs and quickly fried to golden perfection. The result is a crispy exterior encasing luscious, sweet milk, ideal as an indulgent snack or dessert option any time of day.
While it may not be the lightest choice on your menu, its delightful crunch paired with creamy goodness makes every bite worthwhile.
Soy Milk Pudding
Soy milk pudding is a silky dessert made from the harmonious blend of soy milk and soybean paste. This beloved treat, known as doufu hua in China, often graces tables after dinner, providing a delightful conclusion to hearty meals.
Its smooth texture comes from traditional soy-based tofu combined with gelatin or agar, creating that distinctive consistency you’ll appreciate with every spoonful. Served chilled, this pudding offers a refreshing contrast to savory dishes while embodying simplicity and comfort in each bite.
Ideal for those seeking an authentic taste of Chinese sweetness at home.
Chinese Steamed Custard Buns
Chinese steamed custard buns are a must-try when exploring authentic Chinese desserts. Known as Nai Wong Bao, these fluffy creations feature a soft dough encasing a rich and aromatic custard made with vanilla, cornstarch, granulated sugar, and heavy cream.
Steamed to perfection at high heat, they double in size and become delightfully airy. Often served as part of dim sum menus in restaurants globally, their handmade quality adds an artisanal touch that reflects the skill involved in crafting each bun.
Although preparing them can be challenging due to the delicate filling process, your efforts yield delectable results worth savoring on any occasion.
Sesame Seed Dessert Balls
Sesame seed dessert balls are a beloved sweet treat, recognized for their delightful nutty flavor and crispy texture. These popular snacks are widely available at restaurants across East Asia as well as from street vendors and bustling markets.
Encased in golden fried dough, they reveal a luscious sesame filling that delights the palate with each bite. Coated generously in toasted sesame seeds, these morsels not only offer crunch but also enhance the rich taste experience.
With variations like red bean paste or peanut butter adding to their charm, you can easily find your favorite filling among these irresistible treats.
Eight-Treasure Rice Pudding
Eight-treasure rice pudding is a stunning dessert renowned for its intricate layers and vibrant presentation.
This delightful treat features sweet, sticky rice as the foundation, typically filled with rich red bean paste that adds depth to its flavor profile.
Adorned with an array of eight distinct varieties of candied fruits and nuts, it transforms into a visually striking centerpiece.
The finishing touch comes from a warm floral sugar syrup that enhances both taste and aroma before serving.
Mung Bean Cake
Mung bean cake is a traditional Chinese dessert that embodies the essence of summer festivities.
Crafted from mung beans, this treat features a unique dough that varies in color based on the type of beans used, adding visual appeal to its rich flavor.
Filled with sweet bean paste and molded into intricate designs reminiscent of mooncakes, these delicacies are often enjoyed during the Dragon Boat Festival alongside rice wine and salted duck eggs.
This cultural practice not only celebrates heritage but is also believed to ward off heat-related ailments during warmer months.
Raspberry Snowflake Cake
Raspberry snowflake cake embodies a refreshing take on traditional Chinese desserts, perfect for cooling down during summer's heat.
This delightful creation resembles a creamy jelly rather than a typical cake and features raspberries blended with double cream, potato starch, and sugar to achieve its unique texture.
After setting in the refrigerator, it gets adorned with desiccated coconut that evokes memories of soft winter snowflakes melting away.
Ideal for gatherings or as an afternoon treat, this dessert provides a light yet satisfying end to any meal while introducing you to an authentic taste of Chinese sweetness.
Chinese Butter Cookies
Chinese butter cookies are crafted to welcome the Lunar New Year with sweetness and charm.
Characterized by their rich buttery taste and unique floral shapes, these treats are both visually appealing and easy to prepare.
The recipe comes together using just five essential ingredients: butter, confectioner's sugar, vanilla extract, self-raising flour, and eggs.
After baking, you’ll find a delightful assortment of cookies that not only satisfy your sweet cravings but also add an artistic touch to any celebration.
Chinese Banana Fritters
Chinese banana fritters beautifully combines crispy texture with sweet, tender bananas.
This dessert features slices of ripe banana enveloped in a light batter and fried to golden perfection, creating an irresistible contrast between the crunchy exterior and the soft interior.
Often found at bustling street markets or enjoyed at home, these fritters can easily become your go-to snack or dessert option.
Drizzling them with honey or maple syrup adds an extra layer of sweetness while a dusting of powdered sugar provides visual appeal; pairing it all with whipped cream enhances the experience further.
Chinese Dessert Soup
Chinese dessert soup is a warm, comforting dish traditionally enjoyed at the end of meals. Known as Tong Sui, this delightful treat offers diverse flavors and textures that vary with each recipe you encounter.
Ingredients like sweet potato and ginger lend warmth, while pears and snow fungus provide natural sweetness in different variations. Preparing this cozy dessert requires minimal effort, making it an ideal choice for chilly evenings when something soothing is desired.
It's not just another dessert; it's a taste of tradition that brings comfort to your table.
Chocolate Chinese Five-Spice Cake
Chocolate Chinese five-spice cake is a dessert that marries rich chocolate with the aromatic notes of traditional Asian spices.
Its unique blend of cinnamon, clove, fennel, star anise, and pepper adds a depth to each slice.
The cake’s moist sponge balances the sweetness of cocoa while introducing warm flavors that elevate your palate experience.
For those who prefer a less sugary treat but still crave indulgence, this rustic creation offers just the right twist on classic chocolate desserts.
Fortune Cakes
Fortune cakes, or Fa Gao, are traditional Chinese steamed sponge cakes often enjoyed during the Lunar New Year. Renowned for their dense texture and rich brown sugar flavor, these treats symbolize good luck and prosperity.
Crafted from a simple mixture of flour and baking powder combined with brown sugar, the unique steaming method sets them apart from typical baked goods. As they steam over intense heat, you’ll notice how their surface rises beautifully to create a spongy appearance reminiscent of cupcakes.
The term "Fa Gao" cleverly plays on words in Mandarin; it sounds like “cake that expands,” highlighting the delightful split that occurs during cooking.
Steamed Egg Pudding
Steamed egg pudding emerges as a cherished dessert in Chinese cuisine, renowned for its silky texture and simplicity.
Originating from Hong Kong, this dish has become a staple in many restaurants while also being easy to recreate at home.
Crafted with just four essential ingredients: eggs, milk, rock sugar, and water, it delivers an exquisite creamy delight reminiscent of crème brûlée but without the caramelized topping.
Traditionally served after savory meals, steamed egg pudding is more than just a treat; it’s believed by some to enhance skin health and radiance.