Chinese cuisine is renowned for its diverse flavors and culinary traditions, and its desserts are no exception. From delicate pastries to luscious puddings, Chinese desserts offer a tantalizing array of flavors, textures, and cultural richness.
Creamy custards, sticky rice delights, and refreshing fruity creations, Chinese desserts have something to satisfy every sweet tooth.
Whether you’re exploring the bustling streets of Chinatown or recreating these delectable desserts in your own kitchen, the flavors and aromas will whisk you away to a land of cultural richness and culinary artistry.
Snacking on fruit is fun again thanks to tanghulu! Skewered fruit is dipped in an easy and sweet sugar syrup, giving you a glistening and fruity snack no one can pass up. Best of all, it’s easy to make at home using almost any fruit you like!
Snow fungus soup was a common dish that my mother would cook for me at least once a week for breakfast. It's sweet and I particularly like the chewy texture of the fungus as well as the weird jelly texture of the cooked peach gum!
This dessert is made from steamed black rice and is served with mango and coconut milk. The black rice is mixed with sugar. It’s sweet, gooey, and has a nice fragrance of grain. While the coconut milk and fruits are quite light, the rice ball makes this a pleasantly filling dessert.
Jianshui Zong (碱水粽),also known as Lye Water Rice Dumplings, or Alkaline Rice Dumplings, are a Cantonese-style rice dumpling served sweet with sugar or syrup.
Mung bean soup (绿豆汤), also known as mung bean porridge, is a traditional Chinese dish made with green mung beans. Mung bean soup is so soothing to eat and is often enjoyed as a breakfast or dessert.
This CNY koi fish jelly is a popular and easy Chinese New Year Dessert- of course, you can make it anytime of the year!- because fish is a Chinese homonym for abundance and excess, and who doesn't want the New Year to bring them more good things than they need?
Soft and fluffy condensed milk infused mantou/steamed buns are steamed and then fried in the air fryer and served with more condensed milk on the side. Air fried mantou is a much healthier version with the same great taste.
The sweet green sticky rice ball “Qingtuan” is a traditional Chinese dessert that serves during springtime each year. The red bean paste or the salted egg yolk and pork floss filling make a delicious sweet and savory dessert.
Many of these recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of Chinese dessert recipes. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
Chinese cuisine is renowned for its diverse flavors and culinary traditions, and its desserts are no exception. From delicate pastries to luscious puddings, Chinese desserts offer a tantalizing array of flavors, textures, and cultural richness.