Chinese desserts offer a wide range of sweet treats to satisfy your cravings.

From red bean buns to almond jelly, these desserts blend traditional flavors with unique textures.

You’ll find options made with ingredients like mung beans, sesame seeds, and pumpkin that showcase the diversity of Chinese sweets.

Many Chinese desserts have rich histories and cultural significance.

Some were once enjoyed only by emperors, while others are tied to specific seasons or celebrations.

Whether you’re looking for hot soups, fried treats, or chilled puddings, Chinese cuisine has a dessert to suit your taste.

1. Mango Pudding

Mango pudding is a delightful Chinese dessert that’s perfect for hot summer days.

You’ll love its refreshing taste and light sweetness.

To make it, you need just a few simple ingredients: mango puree, gelatin, sugar, milk, and cream. Mix these together and chill the pudding in the fridge for a few hours.

When serving, you can add a splash of evaporated milk on top for extra creaminess. Some people like to garnish it with fresh mango pieces or mint leaves.

This dessert is popular in dim sum restaurants and is easy to make at home. It’s a great way to enjoy the sweet flavor of mangoes in a cool, smooth pudding.

2. Almond Jelly

Almond jelly is a popular Chinese dessert that’s easy to make and refreshing to eat.

You can whip up this treat with just a few ingredients like milk, ground almonds, water, and gelatin.

The jelly has a light, jiggly texture and a delicate almond flavor. It’s often served chilled with fruit cocktail or other fresh fruits on top.

You might find almond jelly offered at dim sum restaurants or as a palate cleanser after meals.

It’s a low-fat dessert option that’s perfect for hot summer days.

To make it at home, you’ll mix the ingredients, let the jelly set in the fridge, then cut it into cubes before serving. Add your favorite fruits and a sweet syrup for extra flavor.

3. Mooncakes

Mooncakes are a beloved Chinese dessert eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival. These round pastries have a thin, golden crust and sweet fillings.

You’ll find many flavors of mooncakes. Popular options include lotus seed paste, red bean paste, and mixed nuts. Some have salted egg yolks in the center for extra richness.

Mooncakes come in different shapes and sizes. They often have decorative designs pressed on top. You can buy them from bakeries or try making them at home with special molds.

While traditionally a festival food, you can now enjoy mooncakes year-round as a tasty treat or gift.

4. Egg Tarts

Egg tarts are a beloved Chinese dessert with a flaky pastry crust and sweet egg custard filling. You’ll often find them at dim sum restaurants or bakeries.

To make egg tarts at home, start with a buttery pastry dough.

Roll it out and cut circles to line small tart molds. For the filling, mix eggs, sugar, evaporated milk, and vanilla.

Pour the custard into the pastry shells and bake until set with a slightly wobbly center. The tops should have a golden color.

Enjoy these delicate treats warm from the oven for the best flavor and texture.

Egg tarts make a perfect afternoon snack or end to a Chinese meal.

5. Sesame Balls

Sesame balls are a popular Chinese dessert with a crispy exterior and chewy interior. They’re made from glutinous rice flour dough filled with sweet red bean paste.

The balls are coated in sesame seeds before deep-frying until golden brown. This creates a delightful contrast of textures when you bite into them.

You’ll often find sesame balls at dim sum restaurants and from street vendors. They’re enjoyed year-round but are especially common during festivals and special occasions.

The nutty flavor of the sesame seeds pairs perfectly with the sweet filling. You can also find versions with other fillings like lotus seed paste.

6. Red Bean Buns

Red bean buns are a beloved Chinese dessert. You’ll find these sweet treats in bakeries and street markets across China.

The buns have a soft, fluffy exterior made from steamed or baked dough. Inside, they’re filled with a sweet red bean paste.

To make red bean buns at home, you’ll need to prepare the dough and filling separately. The dough is similar to bread dough, while the filling is made from cooked and mashed adzuki beans.

You can shape the buns into round balls or flatter discs. Some versions have decorative patterns on top. After filling and shaping, the buns are steamed or baked until golden.

Red bean buns make a tasty snack or dessert. You can enjoy them warm or at room temperature with a cup of tea.

7. Tangyuan

Tangyuan is a sweet Chinese dessert you’ll often enjoy during the Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival. These chewy balls are made from glutinous rice flour and water, forming a soft dough.

You can find tangyuan in two main varieties. Small, plain ones are often served in a sweet soup. Larger ones come with fillings like black sesame, peanut, or red bean paste.

To make tangyuan, you mix the dough and shape it into balls. For filled versions, you wrap the dough around a spoonful of filling. The balls are then boiled until they float.

Tangyuan symbolizes family unity in Chinese culture. Its round shape represents completeness and togetherness.

8. Bingtanghulu

Bingtanghulu is a popular Chinese street snack you’ll love. It features fruit skewers coated in a hard candy shell.

Traditionally made with hawthorn berries, you can now find versions with strawberries, grapes, and other fruits. The candy coating creates a crunchy exterior that shatters when you bite into it.

To make bingtanghulu at home, dip fruit skewers in hot sugar syrup. Let the excess drip off, then allow the coating to harden. The result is a glossy, sweet treat with a juicy center.

This dessert originated in Northern China during the Song Dynasty. Today, it’s enjoyed throughout the country and beyond as a fun, eye-catching snack.

9. Daan Tart

Daan tart is a beloved Chinese dessert you’ll often find in dim sum restaurants. It’s a small, round pastry with a flaky crust and smooth egg custard filling.

The tart shell is crisp and buttery, while the custard is silky and sweet. You can enjoy these treats warm or at room temperature.

Daan tarts are similar to Portuguese egg tarts, but they have their own unique flavor. You’ll notice the custard is less caramelized on top.

These tasty pastries are easy to eat in just a few bites. They’re perfect with tea or as a light dessert after a meal.

10. Jian Dui

Jian Dui are tasty Chinese dessert balls. They have a crispy outside covered in sesame seeds. Inside, you’ll find a soft, chewy dough and sweet filling.

These treats are often filled with red bean paste, peanut paste, or lotus seed paste. The outside is made from glutinous rice flour, which gives them a sticky texture.

You can find Jian Dui at many Chinese bakeries and dim sum restaurants. They’re popular during holidays and festivals. Some people eat them for breakfast too.

When you bite into a Jian Dui, you’ll feel the crunch of the sesame seeds first. Then you’ll taste the sweet filling inside. It’s a fun mix of textures and flavors.

11. Baobing

Baobing is a popular Chinese shaved ice dessert. It’s a refreshing treat perfect for hot summer days.

The dish starts with a mound of finely shaved ice. You then add various toppings to create your own unique dessert.

Common toppings include fresh fruits, sweet red beans, and chewy tapioca pearls. You can also add condensed milk or fruit syrups for extra sweetness.

Baobing has a long history in China, dating back to the 7th century. Today, you can find it throughout China and in many other Asian countries.

This cool dessert lets you mix and match flavors. It’s a fun way to beat the heat and enjoy a tasty treat.

12. Douhua

Douhua is a beloved Chinese dessert made from silky smooth tofu. You’ll find it’s incredibly soft and delicate in texture.

This sweet treat is often served warm with a clear syrup. You can choose between ginger-flavored or palm sugar syrup to pour over the top.

Douhua is also known as tofu pudding or soybean pudding. It’s made by gently coagulating fresh soy milk.

You can enjoy douhua either warm or chilled. It’s a comforting breakfast option in some parts of China.

Making douhua at home is possible with the right ingredients. You’ll need fresh soy milk and a coagulant to create this melt-in-your-mouth dessert.

13. Li Gao

Li Gao is a sweet Chinese dessert made from pears. It’s also known as pear syrup candy. This treat is popular in eastern China, especially in the Jiangnan region.

To make Li Gao, pear juice is mixed with honey and herbs. The mixture is then cooked until it becomes thick and sticky. The result is a smooth, glossy candy with a rich pear flavor.

Many people enjoy Li Gao for its taste and potential health benefits. Some believe it can help with coughs and sore throats. You might find it sold in small jars or as individually wrapped candies.

14. Osmanthus Jelly

Osmanthus jelly is a delicate Chinese dessert that will delight your senses. It’s made from dried osmanthus flowers, which give it a unique floral flavor and aroma.

To make this treat, you steep osmanthus flowers in hot water. Then you mix in gelatin and sugar. Some recipes add goji berries for extra sweetness and color.

The jelly has a soft, bouncy texture. It’s slightly translucent with a golden hue. You can serve it chilled, making it perfect for hot summer days.

This dessert is popular in Hong Kong and other parts of China. It’s loved for its refreshing taste and simple preparation. You can easily make it at home for a taste of traditional Chinese sweets.

15. Dragon Beard Candy

Dragon Beard Candy is a traditional Chinese sweet treat. It gets its name from its appearance – thin, white strands that resemble a dragon’s whiskers.

To make it, sugar syrup is stretched and folded repeatedly. This creates thousands of fine, silky threads. The process takes skill and patience.

The candy has a light, airy texture that melts in your mouth. It often contains a nutty filling like peanuts or sesame seeds.

You can find Dragon Beard Candy at Chinese festivals and markets. It’s a popular souvenir and gift. The candy symbolizes good luck in Chinese culture.

16. Steamed Custard Buns

Steamed custard buns, also known as nai wong bao, are a beloved Cantonese dim sum treat. These soft, fluffy buns are filled with a creamy, lightly sweet custard.

The dough is made with yeast, which helps it rise and creates a light texture. Be careful not to use water or milk that’s too hot, as it can kill the yeast.

To make the buns, you’ll divide the dough into small pieces and fill each with custard. After proofing, steam them for about 15 minutes over high heat.

Let the buns sit for a few minutes after steaming. This extra step makes them even softer and fluffier.

The custard filling often contains custard powder, which gives it a golden color and helps thicken the mixture. You can find these tasty buns at many dim sum restaurants or try making them at home.

17. Chinese Walnut Cookies

Chinese Walnut Cookies are crunchy treats that pair well with tea or coffee. You’ll love their nutty flavor and golden-brown color.

These cookies are known as “hup toh soh” in Chinese. They’re easy to make at home with simple ingredients.

To bake them, you’ll mix butter, sugar, flour, and chopped walnuts. Shape the dough into small rounds and brush with egg wash before baking.

The cookies bake at 340°F (170°C) for about 25 minutes. They’re done when they turn a nice golden-brown color.

These treats are popular during Chinese holidays and celebrations. You can enjoy them year-round as a tasty snack or dessert.

18. Lotus Seed Paste Buns

Lotus seed paste buns are a beloved Chinese dessert you’ll find in many bakeries. These soft, fluffy buns are filled with a smooth paste made from lotus seeds.

The buns have a light, slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with the nutty lotus seed filling. You can enjoy them steamed or baked.

To make lotus seed paste, you soak and cook lotus seeds until soft. Then you blend them with sugar and oil to create a smooth, spreadable filling.

The dough for the buns is made with low-gluten or all-purpose flour. After filling and shaping, the buns are steamed until they puff up into pillowy clouds.

These treats are perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack with tea. You can find them at Chinese bakeries or try making them at home for a fun baking project.

19. Pineapple Buns

Pineapple buns are a beloved Chinese bakery treat. Despite the name, they don’t contain any pineapple. The name comes from their crackly top that looks like pineapple skin.

These buns have a soft, fluffy interior and a sweet, crispy crust. You’ll find them in bakeries across China and in Chinese communities worldwide.

To make pineapple buns, you start with a milk bread dough. Then you add a cookie-like topping that bakes into the signature crackly crust. The result is a unique mix of textures and flavors.

Enjoy these buns warm from the oven or at room temperature. They’re perfect for breakfast or as a snack with tea or coffee.

20. Snow Skin Mooncakes

Snow skin mooncakes are a popular Chinese dessert eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival. They have a soft, mochi-like outer layer made from glutinous rice flour.

Inside, you’ll find a sweet filling. Common options include custard, red bean paste, or fruit flavors. Some even add a strawberry to mimic the traditional egg yolk center.

These mooncakes come in pretty pastel colors. You can dye the outer layer different shades for a fun look. They’re best eaten fresh within a few days.

Unlike traditional baked mooncakes, snow skin versions are served chilled. They offer a cool, refreshing treat perfect for warmer weather.

21. Taro Paste

Taro paste is a sweet, creamy filling used in many Chinese desserts. You can make it by steaming taro root until soft, then mashing it with sugar and other ingredients.

The paste has a light purple color and a unique, nutty flavor. You can use it to fill steamed buns, mooncakes, or mochi. It’s also great in bubble tea or as an ice cream flavor.

To make taro paste at home, you’ll need taro root, sugar, and sometimes coconut milk or oil. Steam the taro, mash it, and mix in the other ingredients. Cook until it forms a smooth paste.

22. Chestnut Cake

Chestnut cake is a sweet treat enjoyed in Chinese cuisine. You’ll find it in many Chinese bakeries, especially around holidays and celebrations.

The cake features light, fluffy sponge layers with a creamy chestnut filling. The chestnut paste gives it a unique nutty flavor and smooth texture.

Some versions use water chestnuts instead, creating a crisp and refreshing dessert perfect for summer. Water chestnut cakes are often served chilled.

To make chestnut cake at home, you’ll need ingredients like chestnut flour, eggs, sugar, and milk. The key is achieving a light, airy texture in the cake layers.

23. Panda Paws

Panda Paws are a fun and whimsical Chinese-inspired dessert. These treats look like cute panda feet, made with chocolate and vanilla cookies.

You can easily make Panda Paws at home. Start with a chocolate cookie base. Add white chocolate or vanilla frosting on top to create the paw pads.

To finish, place small chocolate chips for the claws. These desserts are perfect for kids’ parties or anyone who loves pandas.

Panda Paws offer a sweet mix of flavors. The chocolate and vanilla combo is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Cultural Significance of Chinese Desserts

Chinese desserts play a big role in the country’s culture. They show off local traditions and bring people together during special times.

Historical Context

Chinese desserts have been around for thousands of years. In ancient times, sweet treats were only for the rich. Emperors enjoyed fancy desserts made with rare ingredients.

Over time, desserts became more common. People started using local fruits, beans, and grains to make sweets. This made them cheaper and easier to get.

Many old dessert recipes are still used today. They remind people of China’s long history and cooking skills.

Festivals and Traditions

Chinese desserts are a big part of holidays and festivals. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people eat mooncakes. These round pastries stand for family unity.

At Chinese New Year, sweet rice balls called tangyuan are popular. They represent family togetherness. Red bean soup is often served at weddings for good luck.

Some desserts change with the seasons. Cold, fruity treats are common in summer. Warm, filling sweets are eaten more in winter.

You’ll find that many Chinese desserts have special meanings. They’re not just tasty – they’re also a way to share good wishes and celebrate important events.

Ingredients Commonly Used in Chinese Desserts

Chinese desserts use a variety of ingredients to create unique flavors and textures. You’ll find both familiar and exotic components in these sweet treats.

Sweeteners and Flavorings

Sugar is a key ingredient in Chinese desserts, but it’s not the only sweetener. You’ll often see honey and sweet syrups made from fruits or flowers. Many recipes use red bean paste for a sweet, earthy flavor.

Almond is a popular flavoring. You’ll find it in jellies and other sweets. Black sesame seeds add a nutty taste to many desserts. They’re used in fillings and as toppings.

Osmanthus flowers give a fruity, floral note to some treats. Rose water is another floral flavor you might taste. Ginger adds a spicy kick to certain desserts.

Fruits and Nuts

Fresh fruits play a big role in Chinese desserts. You’ll see lychee, mango, and longan used often. These fruits might be served fresh, in jellies, or as part of sweet soups.

Dried fruits like dates and goji berries are common too. They add sweetness and chewy texture to many dishes.

Nuts are important in Chinese sweets. You’ll find peanuts, walnuts, and chestnuts in many recipes. They add crunch and flavor to cakes, cookies, and other treats.

Coconut is used in both fresh and dried forms. It’s great for adding tropical flavor and texture to desserts.