Chinese New Year celebrations wouldn’t be complete without a spread of delicious cookies and treats! From crunchy sesame balls to sweet pineapple tarts, this list of 20 irresistible goodies brings together traditional flavors and modern twists. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, these delightful snacks will add sweetness to your festivities and help ring in the Year of the Snacks (or whatever animal represents this year’s zodiac). Let’s dig into these festive delights!
German Cookies
German Cookies are known for their light, melt-in-your-mouth texture, making them a delightful treat for any occasion. These cookies are simple yet elegant, prepared with a combination of potato starch and all-purpose flour for a delicate crumb.
The dough is rolled into small balls, then gently flattened with a fork to create a charming decorative pattern. Once baked, these cookies have a tender, buttery taste that pairs perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee.
Whether enjoyed as a midday snack or shared with loved ones during a festive gathering, these cookies bring a touch of classic European charm to your table. Their subtle sweetness and soft texture make them a universally appealing treat that’s sure to be a hit!
Eggless Crispy Almond Tuiles
Eggless crispy almond tuiles are a delightful addition to your Chinese New Year celebrations. These thin, crispy cookies are beautifully shaped, resembling delicate flowers. The golden color and crisp texture make them visually appealing and perfect for festive gatherings.
These almond tuiles are not only tasty but also easy to make. They carry a subtle nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the festive spirit. Imagine enjoying these alongside other traditional Chinese New Year treats like almond pineapple cookies or peanut cookies. They’re a great way to add variety to your spread of Chinese New Year cookies.
To whip up a batch, you need simple ingredients like almond flour, sugar, and butter. You can also use a few spices to enhance the flavor. The steps are straightforward, making this a go-to recipe for anyone looking to bake eggless cookies. Plus, they can be stored well, making them perfect for sharing with family and friends during the celebrations.
The Best Pineapple Tarts Recipe
Pineapple tarts are a quintessential treat during Chinese New Year, cherished for their buttery crust and sweet, tangy pineapple filling. These golden delights symbolize prosperity and wealth, with their rounded shape resembling traditional gold ingots.
Each tart is carefully crafted, starting with a rich, buttery pastry that is wrapped around a luscious pineapple jam filling. The tarts are then baked to perfection, developing a golden hue that’s as inviting as their flavor.
Traditionally, these tarts are arranged beautifully on a festive plate, making them a centerpiece for New Year celebrations. Their delightful balance of sweetness and tartness ensures they’ll be a hit with both young and old alike.
Whether as gifts for loved ones or a treat for your own family, pineapple tarts are a delicious way to share the joy and good fortune of the Lunar New Year.
Chinese Sesame Smiling Cookie Balls
Chinese sesame smiling cookie balls , also known as “laughing sesame balls,” are a popular treat during Chinese New Year. Their cheerful name comes from the way the cookie balls crack open as they fry, resembling a wide smile that symbolizes happiness and good fortune.
These golden, bite-sized delights are coated in sesame seeds for a nutty, aromatic crunch. The dough is made from simple ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and baking powder, which give the cookies their light and crisp texture.
After rolling the dough into small balls and coating them in sesame seeds, they are deep-fried to achieve their signature golden hue and crackled appearance. The result is a treat that’s not only delicious but also fun to eat, with a light, airy crunch and a touch of sweetness.
Perfect for sharing with loved ones, sesame smiling cookie balls are a festive staple that brings joy and laughter to the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Chinese New Year Almond Cookies
Chinese New Year almond cookies are a delightful treat that brings sweetness to the festivities. These cookies are not just tasty; they also represent good fortune and prosperity. The image showcases a beautiful plate filled with these golden, almond-flavored delights, each decorated with intricate designs.
In the spirit of celebration, these cookies often take center stage at family gatherings. Their smooth texture and rich almond flavor make them irresistible.
Making almond cookies at home is simple. You’ll need ingredients like almond flour, sugar, and butter. Mix them together, shape the cookies, and bake until golden. Each bite transports you to the heart of Chinese New Year celebrations. These cookies perfectly complement other festive treats, such as pineapple tarts or cashew nut cookies, making them a must-have for your holiday spread.
Hup Toh Soh Chinese Walnut Cookies
Hup Toh Soh, or Chinese walnut cookies, are a classic treat enjoyed during Chinese New Year, symbolizing happiness and unity. These traditional cookies are named for their resemblance to walnuts and their nutty flavor, even though they don’t always contain walnuts.
The cookies are made with a combination of flour, sugar, and butter or lard, with the addition of ground walnuts or walnut essence to enhance their aroma. The dough is shaped into round, slightly flattened discs and scored lightly on top to mimic a walnut’s texture.
Baked to a golden-brown perfection, Hup Toh Soh cookies are delightfully crisp on the outside and crumbly on the inside, with a rich, nutty flavor that melts in your mouth.
These cookies are not only delicious but also carry the warm wishes of good health and prosperity, making them a perfect addition to your Lunar New Year celebrations. Whether served with tea or given as gifts, they are sure to bring smiles to all who enjoy them.
Cashew nut cookies are a beloved treat during Chinese New Year, offering a delightful combination of nutty richness and buttery sweetness. These golden, crumbly cookies are topped with a single cashew nut, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead.
The dough is prepared with a mix of flour, butter, sugar, and ground cashews, giving the cookies a soft and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Each cookie is shaped into rounds or crescents, brushed with egg wash for a glossy finish, and crowned with a cashew nut before baking to a golden perfection.
Their irresistible nutty aroma and delicate flavor make cashew nut cookies a staple on festive tables, often enjoyed with tea or as part of a gift box for loved ones. These cookies not only satisfy your taste buds but also carry the warm wishes of abundance and joy for the coming year.
Chinese Marshmallow Nougat
Chinese marshmallow nougat is a delightful festive treat, combining soft, chewy textures with a nutty crunch. These nougats are made using marshmallows, milk powder, and a mix of nuts and dried fruits, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and texture.
The nougat is traditionally cut into bite-sized pieces, making it ideal for sharing during Chinese New Year. Its pastel colors and glossy finish add a touch of elegance, while the nuts and dried cranberries symbolize abundance and prosperity.
Easy to prepare, marshmallow nougat involves melting marshmallows and butter, mixing in milk powder, and folding in roasted nuts and dried cranberries. Once set, the nougat is sliced into neat squares or rectangles, ready to be enjoyed by family and friends.
This modern take on a classic confection has become a favorite during Lunar New Year, adding a unique and delightful twist to the traditional array of festive treats.
Snowflake Crisp
Snowflake Crisp is a delightful fusion snack that has become a favorite during Chinese New Year. Known for its soft, chewy texture and snowy-white appearance dusted with powdered milk, this treat combines traditional and contemporary flavors to create a truly irresistible dessert.
The base is made using marshmallows, milk powder, and butter, which are melted together to form a rich and creamy mixture. Add-ins like nuts, dried fruits, crispy biscuits, and sometimes cranberries or goji berries provide layers of texture and flavor. Once set and sliced, each piece reveals a colorful, festive mosaic of ingredients.
Its snowy-white coating symbolizes purity and prosperity, making it a meaningful addition to the Lunar New Year table. Snowflake Crisp is not only easy to prepare but also versatile, allowing you to customize it with your favorite mix-ins for a personalized touch.
Perfect as a sweet snack or a thoughtful gift, this modern treat brings a fresh twist to the traditional Chinese New Year confections, delighting both the young and old alike.
Chinese Peanut Cookies
Chinese Peanut Cookies are a timeless favorite during Chinese New Year, known for their crumbly texture and rich, nutty flavor. These cookies symbolize prosperity and abundance, making them a must-have treat for the festive season.
Made with roasted peanuts ground into a fine powder, the dough is mixed with flour, sugar, and oil to create a melt-in-your-mouth consistency. Each cookie is shaped into small rounds, brushed with egg wash for a golden sheen, and baked to perfection.
The cookies’ delicate sweetness and nutty aroma make them a delightful snack that pairs wonderfully with tea. Their round shape also represents unity and harmony, adding a symbolic touch to the celebrations.
Whether served on a festive platter or gifted in decorative boxes, Chinese Peanut Cookies bring warmth and joy to the Lunar New Year, delighting friends and family with every bite.
Green Pea Cookies
Green Pea Cookies are a distinctive and delightful snack often enjoyed during Chinese New Year. These bite-sized cookies are made using finely ground roasted green peas, which lend a natural green hue and a nutty, earthy flavor to the treat.
The dough is prepared with ground green peas, flour, sugar, and oil, resulting in a crumbly texture that melts in your mouth. Each cookie is shaped into small rounds and sometimes topped with a light glaze or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added flavor.
Green Pea Cookies are not only tasty but also symbolic, as the green peas represent growth, renewal, and prosperity—perfect for welcoming the Lunar New Year. Their subtle sweetness and unique flavor make them a standout among the array of traditional festive treats.
Whether served to guests or gifted in decorative boxes, Green Pea Cookies bring a modern twist to New Year celebrations, offering a treat that’s as meaningful as it is delicious.
Cherry Butter Cookies
Cherry Butter Cookies are a simple yet elegant treat that add a touch of color and sweetness to Chinese New Year celebrations. These buttery cookies are soft, crumbly, and have a melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes them irresistible.
The dough is made with classic ingredients like butter, sugar, and flour, blended to perfection for a rich and tender base. Each cookie is topped with a bright red cherry half before baking, giving it a festive appearance that symbolizes prosperity and happiness in the Lunar New Year tradition.
Once baked to a delicate golden hue, the cookies boast a balance of buttery richness and the slight tartness of the cherry topping. Their cheerful and colorful presentation makes them a wonderful addition to any festive cookie platter.
Perfect for gifting or serving to guests, Cherry Butter Cookies are a timeless favorite that spreads joy and sweetness with every bite.
Chinese New Year Sugar Cookies
Chinese New Year sugar cookies are a delightful treat that adds sweetness to the festive celebrations. These cookies often come in various shapes, like stars and circles, and are decorated with vibrant red icing. The red symbolizes good fortune and happiness, making them a perfect addition to any Lunar New Year gathering.
In the image, a beautifully arranged plate showcases these colorful cookies alongside fresh oranges and decorative lanterns. The bright colors and festive decorations create a warm and inviting atmosphere, embodying the spirit of the New Year. Pairing these sugar cookies with traditional treats like almond pineapple cookies or peanut cookies can create a lovely dessert spread.
Making sugar cookies is quite simple. You’ll need basic ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. Add some almond extract for an extra kick. Roll the dough, cut out shapes, and bake until golden. Once cooled, don’t forget to decorate with royal icing. These cookies not only taste great but also serve as a fun activity for family and friends during the celebrations.
So, whether you’re enjoying these festive cookies with family or sharing them with friends, they bring joy and sweetness to the New Year festivities.
Beehive Cookies (Kuih Rose)
Beehive Cookies, also known as Kuih Rose or Kuih Loyang, are a beloved traditional snack during Chinese New Year. These intricately patterned, deep-fried cookies get their name from their delicate, honeycomb-like shape, which resembles a beehive.
The batter is made from simple ingredients like rice flour, eggs, sugar, and coconut milk, giving the cookies their light and crispy texture with a hint of coconut fragrance. Using a special metal mold, the batter is dipped and fried to create the signature shape.
Golden and crisp, Beehive Cookies are a visual and culinary delight. Their intricate design symbolizes prosperity and abundance, making them a meaningful addition to festive celebrations.
Perfect for sharing with family and friends, these cookies are not only delicious but also a testament to the artistry and tradition of festive baking, adding a touch of nostalgia and joy to Lunar New Year festivities.
Chinese New Year Chocolate Cornflake Clusters
Chocolate Cornflake Clusters are a fun and easy-to-make treat that’s perfect for Chinese New Year celebrations. These bite-sized delights are made by coating crispy cornflakes in melted chocolate, creating a sweet, crunchy snack that everyone loves.
To make these clusters, cornflakes are gently mixed with melted chocolate—milk, dark, or white chocolate can be used, depending on your preference. The mixture is spooned into small paper cups and left to set, often decorated with festive sprinkles or edible gold dust to symbolize prosperity and good fortune.
Their golden color and simple preparation make them a favorite for both kids and adults during the Lunar New Year. Not only are they quick to make, but they also add a touch of modern fun to the traditional spread of festive treats.
Chocolate Cornflake Clusters are perfect for sharing with loved ones or gifting in decorative tins, adding sweetness and joy to the festive season.
Almond Florentines Crips
Almond Florentine Cookies are a deliciously crisp and nutty treat that add a touch of elegance to Chinese New Year celebrations. These cookies are made with a delightful mix of almond slivers, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and black-and-white sesame seeds, all bound together with Florentine powder for a caramelized finish.
The ingredients are combined and spread into a thin layer on a baking tray, then baked until golden and fragrant. The result is a beautiful, golden-brown cookie with a satisfyingly crisp texture and a rich, nutty flavor. A pinch of salt enhances the natural sweetness of the caramelized Florentine base, making these cookies irresistibly delicious.
Perfect for gifting or serving to guests, Almond Florentine Cookies symbolize abundance and prosperity, with their assortment of seeds and nuts representing wealth and good fortune. Their delicate texture and wholesome flavors make them a standout addition to any festive spread.
Red Bean Paste Cookies
Red Bean Paste Cookies are a melt-in-your-mouth delight, perfect for snacking during Chinese New Year. These bite-sized treats feature a flaky, buttery cookie shell filled with a smooth and sweet red bean paste, creating a perfect harmony of textures and flavors.
The cookie dough, made from softened butter, powdered sugar, salt, egg, and low-gluten flour, is tender and crumbly, resembling a shortbread texture. The red bean paste filling adds a rich, slightly sweet center, making these cookies irresistibly satisfying.
To prepare, the dough is rolled out and wrapped around logs of red bean paste, then sliced into bite-sized pieces. The cookies are brushed with egg wash, sprinkled with sesame seeds for a nutty aroma, and baked until golden brown.
Once cooled, these cookies retain their crispness even overnight and can be stored in an airtight container. They pair wonderfully with tea and symbolize warmth and happiness, making them a thoughtful treat to share with family and friends during the festive season.
Customize with low-sugar or other fillings to suit your taste, and enjoy these delightful, flaky bites that are sure to impress!
Sesame Seed Balls
Sesame seed balls, or ‘Jian Dui,’ are a delightful treat often seen during Chinese New Year celebrations. These golden spheres are coated with sesame seeds, giving them a nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch.
Inside, they usually contain a sweet filling, like red bean paste or lotus seed paste, making each bite a wonderful surprise. The chewy, crispy texture pairs beautifully with the sweetness, making them a favorite among festive cookies.
To whip up these treats at home, you’ll need glutinous rice flour, sugar, water, sesame seeds, and your preferred filling. Mix the flour, sugar, and water to form a dough. Roll into balls, stuff with filling, and coat with sesame seeds before frying until golden brown. Enjoy them warm for the best experience!
These sesame seed balls are not just a snack; they’re a symbol of good luck and prosperity for the New Year. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, they truly embody the festive spirit!
Hong Kong Egg Tarts
Hong Kong egg tarts are a delightful treat that perfectly blends a flaky crust with a velvety custard filling. These little pastries are a staple during Chinese New Year celebrations and are loved by many.
The golden custard shines brightly, inviting you to indulge. Each bite offers a smooth and creamy texture, making them a favorite dessert among both young and old. They are usually dusted with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar, adding a touch of sweetness.
These egg tarts are not just delicious; they carry a sense of tradition. Preparing them can become a family activity during the festive season. You can find various recipes online, including options for homemade pastry. Ingredients often include eggs, milk, sugar, and a touch of vanilla, all coming together for a satisfying treat.
Pairing these tarts with other popular Chinese New Year cookies, like almond pineapple cookies or red bean paste cookies, makes for a festive dessert table. Their creamy goodness complements the crunch of other festive cookies like Chinese walnut cookies or florentines perfectly.
Orange Cream Cheese Sandwich Cookies
Orange Cream Cheese Sandwich Cookies are a stunning, handcrafted treat that combines high aesthetic appeal with a delightful burst of flavor. With their vibrant orange hue and creamy filling, these cookies symbolize good fortune and prosperity, making them an ideal choice for Chinese New Year gifts or festive gatherings.
The cookies have a crisp, buttery texture, thanks to a dough made with softened butter, powdered sugar, egg yolks, low-gluten flour, and milk powder. A touch of orange food coloring adds a bright, cheerful look. Once rolled out, cut into round shapes, and baked, they form the perfect base for the luscious cream cheese filling.
The filling is a rich blend of cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, milk powder, and a hint of lemon juice for a tangy balance. Piped between two cookies, the filling brings a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth contrast to the crisp cookies. For a finishing touch, decorative chocolate designs (e.g., leaves in green matcha chocolate) add elegance and charm.
These cookies are as delicious as they are meaningful, with their sunny appearance symbolizing luck and happiness. Whether as a gift or a centerpiece for your festive table, Orange Cream Cheese Sandwich Cookies are a must-have for welcoming the Lunar New Year in style