The Chinese New Year is not only a time to gift ang baos and mandarin oranges, it’s also important to thank your family, relatives and friends for their support and wish them good fortune and luck in the new year.
Most will do this with gifts (bak kwa, bird’s nest and pastries are some of the more popular gift items). This coming year, why not try baking your own festive treats, everyone will surely appreciate your efforts – here are 23 recipes to get you started, and with the celebrations just over a month away, you better get cracking!
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Delight everybody with cookies that look and taste like the auspicious mandarin oranges for Chinese New Year.
With only chopped pistachios and basic ingredients, form these pistachio cookies great for gifting and serving over the festive occasion in only six simple steps.
There’s something about nuts and the festive season that goes extremely well hand-in-hand. Make these bite-sized treats good for munch n’ crunch over catching up with friends and family for Chinese New Year.
What’s the Chinese New Year without festive cookies? Rather than buying containers of them, try your hand at baking them yourself or with your family. They’re easy to make and you can even design them on your own to symbolise good fortune.
The traditional Chinese New Year snack symbolises wealth and is one of the favourites amongst locals for its crispy, nutty textures. Put an even more delectable spin on it with salted caramel and surprise your guests with this treat both homemade and handmade!
Almond cookies are one of the staple Chinese New Year nibbles everyone loves, and this recipe gives you fragrant, crunchy ones.
This buttery almond shortbread would make a great homemade gift, as well as a treat for morning or afternoon tea.
We love the mix of flavours in these light bites – pack them into bottles as gifts for relatives and friends.
Pineapple tarts are synonymous with Chinese New Year, and this recipe gives you homemade ones with a juicy filling and buttery crust.
Turn up the notch on your favourite cornflakes and turn them into cookies. Goodbye soggy cereal, hello buttery-smooth cornflake cookies!
Cooling and nutritious, this dessert also helps you achieve smooth and beautiful skin (thanks to the white fungus) – serve it to your girlfriends or mum-in-law for brownie points.
They make perfect gifts for families with children as kids will love these milky, buttery treats.
Whether as a snack or served alongside some festive dishes, these delicious crisps are really addictive!
Although these are not particularly meant for Chinese New Year, no one will say no to a jumbo chocolate cookie. You can pack them into individual red gift bags to make it more CNY-appropriate.
Fortune cookies are fun as everyone loves cracking them open to discover their fortune. Make your own (with your own fun messages within) using this recipe.
Another great cookie recipe with gooey peanut butter and chocolate in it to delight all ages.
This prosperous-looking jelly might seem complex to make but it’s not difficult at all! Best for serving or gifting them to your in-laws or the older folks in your family – they will surely approve!
Bake these bite-sized goodies for special occasions like the Lunar New Year or as gifts for family and friends – everyone will appreciate that they are home-baked with love.
A fruity cake that is decorated with glace fruits (candied fruits) and nuts. Perfect for the festive celebrations and family gatherings.
The peanuts in these cookies provide the textural element of crunch every great cookie needs. A fast and easy snack to whip up for the family to enjoy!
This Malaysian traditional cookie is a fantastic snack to intrigue visitors during Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eidulfitri), but you can make it work for the Lunar New Year too!
Incorporate fruits and shortcrust pastry to your favourite grocery store cake mix and you end up with these fancifully delicious plum and almond slices!
Salted egg yolk anything is all the rage this season so don’t miss out and make your very own salted egg yolk cookies for your friends and family.
Text: Sean Tan and Cherrie Lim
They’re sweet and savoury wrapped up in a soft, chewy cookie that are great to enjoy over a conversation during gatherings.
Impress your friends and family with these crowd favourites. The perfect treats to go with a warm cup of tea.
