15 Exquisite Traditional Chinese New Year Desserts to Delight Your Family Gathering

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Maryann Desmond

People around the world celebrate Chinese New Year with great enthusiasm and excitement, marking the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar. Part of this celebration involves indulging in traditional Chinese desserts that are not only delicious but also hold cultural significance. Here are some popular traditional Chinese New Year desserts that you might want to consider adding to your celebrations.

Malaysian-Style Honeycomb Delights

Malaysian-Style Honeycomb Delights

Creating the perfect combination of textures and flavors, Malaysian desserts like Kuih Loyang and Kuih Rose showcase the versatility of honeycomb. These traditional treats differ from one another in terms of their color, with Kuih Loyang made using dark-colored sugar and Kuih Rose made with light-colored sugar. To ensure success in making these sweet snacks, it’s essential to have a heavy-duty non-stick pan at your disposal.

Sesame Crunch Sticky Rice Treats

Sesame Crunch Sticky Rice Treats

Zestfully enjoyed by many, Black Sesame Rice Balls (Tang Yuan) (莱元莎饼) is a classic Chinese snack that has stood the test of time. Its traditional preparation involves wrapping sticky rice in a delicious black sesame seed paste, creating a unique taste experience that is both familiar and exciting. This beloved treat has been enjoyed by people from all walks of life for generations.

The popularity of Black Sesame Rice Balls (Tang Yuan) can be attributed to its perfectly balanced texture – crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. The combination of glutinous rice flour and black sesame seeds creates a delightful contrast that is both satisfying and addictive. Whether enjoyed as a snack or dessert, Black Sesame Rice Balls (Tang Yuan) are sure to bring a smile to your face.

Peanut Butter Crunch Cookies with Chinese Twist

Peanut Butter Crunch Cookies with Chinese Twist

Undoubtedly, the Chinese Peanut Cookies stand out from the rest due to their unique texture combination. With a perfect balance of crunchiness and chewiness, these cookies are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Made with wholesome ingredients like peanut butter, granulated sugar, and egg whites, they offer a relatively healthy twist on traditional cookie recipes.

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Whether you’re looking for a new dessert to try or seeking a simple recipe that yields impressive results, this Chinese Peanut Cookies recipe is an excellent choice.

Sweet Osmanthus Delight Dessert

Sweet Osmanthus Delight Dessert

Understandably, this dessert is a treat that’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Its sweet and delicate nature makes it perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a romantic dinner or a casual gathering with friends. The addition of edible flowers adds an extra touch of elegance and whimsy, making it a standout dessert. Furthermore, the beautiful aroma that fills the air as you prepare it only adds to its appeal.

Low-Carb Almond Cookies for Tea Time

Low-Carb Almond Cookies for Tea Time

You’ll find that Almond Thin Cookies make an excellent choice for a quick pick-me-up at any time of day, whether it’s during a mid-afternoon slump or as part of a leisurely tea-time gathering with friends. With their unique blend of almond flour, erythritol, egg whites, and melted butter, these cookies boast a impressive array of benefits, including being ultra-low carb, sugar-free, and gluten-free.

These rich and tasty treats are perfectly suited for dunking in your favorite hot beverage, be it tea or coffee. Moreover, their simplicity and lack of heaviness make them an ideal dessert option for those looking to indulge in something small but satisfying. With a few simple ingredients, you can whip up these delightful cookies and enjoy the perfect snack or dessert.

Peanutty Fried Dough Bites

Peanutty Fried Dough Bites

Finding yourself craving for an authentic and delicious breakfast dish inspired by Chinese cuisine? Look no further than Kok Chai, also known as “Keoi Gai”, which is a popular breakfast dish made from fried dough. The dough is deep-fried to perfection and served with sugar, peanut butter, and sesame seeds, making it a sweet and savory delight.

Families will love the fact that these crispy dumplings are a fun snack for kids to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee, providing a tasty treat that’s both enjoyable and easy to consume. Whether you’re in the mood for something classic and comforting or just need a quick breakfast idea, Kok Chai is sure to satisfy your cravings.

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Taiwanese-Style Water Chestnut Dessert

Taiwanese-Style Water Chestnut Dessert

Often considered a classic Taiwanese dessert, this recipe for Water Chestnut Cake has gained widespread popularity globally due to its exceptional taste and texture. It’s a rich, moist, and delicious treat that’s commonly served at family gatherings as a sweet finale. This cake is also an excellent choice for special occasions and celebrations, making it a staple in many Chinese households.

Interestingly, water chestnuts are not only used in this dessert but are also frequently served as a snack or appetizer in China, showcasing their versatility in both sweet and savory dishes. This Water Chestnut Cake beautifully captures the essence of traditional Chinese cuisine with its light and refreshing flavors that perfectly reflect the season.

Crispy Sesame Balls: A Traditional Dim Sum Treat

Crispy Sesame Balls: A Traditional Dim Sum Treat

Lightly battered and crispy on the outside, these delicious Chinese Fried Sesame Dessert Balls (Jian Dui) offer a delightful contrast in textures. Originating from south China’s Guangdong province, this popular snack has gained widespread acclaim for its unique blend of sweet red bean paste (Maocha) and nutty sesame seeds.

A staple in many traditional dim sum establishments, these tasty balls are crafted with glutinous rice flour, dark brown sugar, and sesame seeds, making them a must-try for anyone looking to indulge in an authentic Asian dessert experience.

Elegant Egg Tarts with Asian Twist

Elegant Egg Tarts with Asian Twist

Just like any other traditional Chinese dessert, the Chinese Egg Tart has a simple yet elegant charm to it. It’s an ideal way to round off your meal with a sweet treat that’s both easy to make and pleasing to look at. This delightful dessert is also very versatile, allowing you to serve it as an individual serving or share it with others as part of a larger spread.

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Savory Sesame Treats from China, Jian Dui Style

Savory Sesame Treats from China, Jian Dui Style

Making a delightful fusion of sweet and savory flavors in one bite is what makes Chinese fried sesame dessert balls so appealing. These bite-sized treats are created by coating sweet sesame seeds with a thin layer of egg, which is then carefully pan-fried to perfection. A traditional Chinese dessert known as Jian Dui, they have gained immense popularity globally for their irresistible taste.

Whether you’re indulging in them during the winter months or anytime throughout the year, these crispy fried balls are sure to satisfy your cravings. For an extra twist, consider pairing them with some sweetened red bean paste, a classic Chinese combination that adds an extra layer of flavor.

Origins of Chinese Fortune Cookie Delights

Origins of Chinese Fortune Cookie Delights

Elevating its unique status as a beloved dessert, Fortune Cookies have become an integral part of Chinese cuisine. Their distinctive appearance, characterized by a delicate, crispy exterior and a soft interior, sets them apart from other types of cookies. The name ‘fortune cookie’ is apt, given the resemblance to the way the batter appears when dropped from a spoon, resembling the fortune slips often found inside these treats.

Interestingly, Fortune Cookies are not exclusively Chinese in origin, but have become synonymous with Chinese desserts due to their widespread popularity in China. They are often enjoyed as a sweet treat after meals, and their unique flavor profile has made them a staple in many Asian bakeries.

Create Life’s Treasure with Easy 8-Ingredient Dish

Create Life

Yesterday, I discovered that the name ‘thriving in life’ perfectly encapsulates the essence of this recipe. It’s a simple yet beautiful concept to create something truly special for yourself. This recipe requires minimal ingredients, but it’s essential to follow each step carefully to achieve the desired outcome. You may need to venture out and purchase some specific ingredients that aren’t part of your usual pantry staples.

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