People have enjoyed traditional Chinese desserts for generations, and many regions still find them popular. Typically, cooks make these desserts from plant-based ingredients such as fruits, grains, and nuts, and their naturally sweet flavors attract a wide range of people.
In Chinese culture, people consider these desserts more than just tasty snacks; they associate them with symbolic meanings and important cultural traditions. For instance, people commonly enjoy mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and mooncakes symbolize reunion and harmony. People traditionally serve walnut cakes at weddings to represent longevity and fertility. Meanwhile, people often prepare almond jelly for special occasions such as birthdays to symbolize good health and happiness. [source: blog.atlastravelweb ]
Thus, Traditional Chinese Desserts are not only about flavor, but also about heritage and values passed down through generations. These sweet treats reflect the richness of Chinese culture and its deep-rooted appreciation for symbolism in food.
If you’re curious to explore these cultural delicacies, start by trying one of our selected 12 Traditional Chinese Desserts. We’ve curated a list of popular options for you to enjoy—find your favorite and experience a taste of tradition.
11 Traditional Chinese Desserts
1. Soy Milk Pudding
Soy Milk Pudding is a Chinese dessert that has been around for centuries and is now gaining popularity in many parts of the world. This dessert is made with ingredients such as milk, water, soybeans, sugar, flavorings such as gelatin, and also uses vanilla extract. This mixture of ingredients has given it a soft, creamy texture and is very tasty. For a more delicious taste, you can add a spoonful of cocoa powder which will bring out the amazing chocolate flavor.
Whenever you are craving for something sweet, this is the perfect dessert recipe to try. It is delicious and vegan-friendly. This is a delicious food and can be enjoyed as a dessert when you are craving something sweet. Eating this Chinese food does not make you feel guilty because it is not rich in calories, satisfying your taste buds without any additional calories.
2. Traditional Chinese Desserts: Fortune Cookies
Another popular Traditional Chinese Dessert is the Fortune Cookie. This sweet treat, which symbolizes good luck, has a long history dating back to the 19th century, and many Chinese restaurants commonly serve it as a dessert. Bakers make Fortune Cookies from simple ingredients such as vanilla, sugar, flour, and sesame oil. What makes them unique is that each baker hides a small slip of paper inside each cookie, containing wise sayings or messages of good fortune. [Source: history.com ]
More than just a delicious treat, the Fortune Cookie carries a symbolic meaning of luck and positivity, making it a fun and meaningful dessert that brings hope and joy to those who enjoy it.
3. Almond Jelly
Almond Jelly is another Chinese dessert that you should try. It has been around for centuries and is sweet and delicious. It is made from soaked apricot seeds or what is known as southern almonds. The apricot seeds are then mixed with sugar, almond extract, and milk, giving it a chewy and distinctive jelly-like texture. Chinese people have enjoyed this food for generations.
You can serve this dessert with any meal, and add sweet toppings to create a better taste. The toppings can be sweet and fresh fruits. You can easily make your own version of this Chinese dessert. You only need regular gelatin powder, sugar, water, and milk; mix them all with almond extract. With just a few simple steps, you can get this amazing dish.
4. Fried Milk
Fried Milk is a unique Traditional Chinese Dessert from Canton, often found on dim sum menus. It features a soft, milky pudding made from sugar, cornstarch, and milk, coated in crispy panko and deep-fried until golden brown. The result is a dessert that’s crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and melts in your mouth.
This golden treat can also be made at home. Simply mix granulated sugar, cornstarch, nutmeg, and milk in a saucepan until smooth. Chill the mixture until firm, cut it into pieces, then fry in hot oil until crispy. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar for a perfect sweet bite.
5. Traditional Chinese Desserts: Egg Tarts
Then there is a dessert called Egg Tarts. This delightful treat is known for its irresistible taste that tempts anyone who tries it. Also referred to as egg custard tarts, this Traditional Chinese Dessert consists of a flaky pastry crust filled with smooth egg pudding. Common ingredients include sugar, eggs, milk, and sometimes cream or butter for added richness.
Historically, egg tarts originated during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) as a light dessert served in the imperial palace. Over time, they spread throughout China and became a beloved dish enjoyed by many. Today, egg tarts are no longer exclusive to royalty or even just Chinese culture—they’re enjoyed by people all around the world.
They come in various flavors such as chocolate, coconut, and almond, making them a versatile dessert perfect for any occasion.
6. Wife Cake
Wife Cake is one of the most popular Chinese desserts and has been around for centuries. This food consists of layers of crispy cookies and then forms a package that combines winter melon and coconut filling. This dessert is suitable for various events.
Wife Cake is a cake that originated from the Tang dynasty in Chinese history. In the past, people served this cake at weddings as a symbol of love. Not only do Chinese people enjoy this cake as an Asian dessert, but people all over the world have also enjoyed it. On certain days, such as anniversaries or Chinese New Year, couples usually exchange Wife’s Cakes as a form of commemoration of their marriage bond.
Although this Asian dessert usually uses winter melon and coconut filling, some also use red bean paste and sesame paste. Cooks can adjust the dough to suit each taste or region.
7. Almond Cookies
Almond Cookies are also a traditional Chinese dessert. This dish is very famous as an Asian dessert. It tastes sweet, savory, with a chewy texture.
The ingredients used in making Almond Cookies are eggs, sugar, almonds, and almond extract. The combination of these ingredients will all produce a chewy cake texture with a sweet and savory taste. This is the most delicious dessert to eat with a cup of coffee or tea.
From the ingredients used, we know that this food can produce a nutritious food too. The egg content provides protein, almonds provide healthy fats, and its delicious taste makes it popular with many people. Even consuming it can be an additional nutrient for the body. So you can focus on presenting it at the next meeting.
8. Sesame Seed Dessert Balls
This traditional Chinese dessert is also known as Jian Dui in Cantonese and “Zhima Qiu” in Mandarin. This cake is a Chinese delicacy that has been around for centuries. The process of making Sesame Seed Dessert Balls involves glutinous rice flour. Then formed into small balls, filled with bean paste, and rolled in sesame seeds. Then fry until golden brown.
Sesame seeds provide a savory taste, and cooks can add ingredients such as coconut milk and peanuts to the dough to make the taste more complex. This treat tastes sweet and spicy with a pleasant crunch. Immediately make plans to make Sesame Seed Dessert Balls at your next gathering.
9. Chocolate Chinese Five-Spice Cake
People have enjoyed Chocolate Chinese Five-Spice Cake, a traditional dessert, for centuries. It offers a unique blend of sweet, warm, and aromatic flavors, both comforting and tempting. Its rich taste comes from a combination of cocoa and five distinctive spices: fennel seeds, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, and Sichuan pepper, creating a flavor profile that’s sure to please any palate.
Cooks typically make this Asian dessert with all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and Chinese five-spice powder. To create a deeper chocolate taste, they add cocoa or Dutch-processed cocoa. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, almond flour is a great substitute. To enhance its flavor, the cake can be topped with ginger cream frosting, offering a delightful and satisfying finish.
People love the Chocolate Chinese Five-Spice Cake, a Traditional Chinese Dessert, for its bold and balanced combination of sweet, savory, and subtly spicy notes, which make it a truly memorable treat for any occasion.
10. Walnut Cookies
People in the Chinese community have long loved Walnut Cookies, a classic Asian treat and part of Traditional Chinese Desserts. With the rise of technology and global exposure, these cookies are now trending and enjoyed by people from all walks of life. They are made using simple ingredients like walnuts, flour, and sugar, offering a rich, nutty flavor in every bite. The taste is unique and can be something that many people like.
The process of making Walnut Cookies is by mixing sugar with butter, then mixing chopped walnuts and adding flour. Then, bakers form the dough into small discs and bake them until brown or golden. This cake has a crunchy, spicy, and sweet taste. This Chinese dessert is perfect to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.
This is a food that is suitable for various occasions and events. People can say that Walnut Cookies are a classic snack that never goes out of date and never goes out of style. Bakers decorate this food with sugar, sprinkle it with color, and create an extraordinary taste.
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11. Traditional Chinese Desserts: Mung Bean Cake
Also known as lvdougao or moong dal, Mung Bean Cake is a popular summer dessert in China. It offers a unique sweet and nutty flavor that’s both refreshing and satisfying.
Soak mung beans overnight to achieve a smoother texture, then blend them with vegetable oil, butter, and a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.
This dessert has deep roots in ancient Chinese culture and remains popular today due to its taste and health benefits. Mung Bean Cake is proof that simplicity and tradition can create something truly delightful. Try making it at home—recipes are easy to find online!
Please explore these 11 traditional Chinese desserts and find one that you like. Then, make it at home with joy and enjoy it with your family.
