One of the best parts of Chinese New Year, apart from reuniting with family and feasting on a great many dishes, is munching on tubs of cookies in between. But among the many Chinese New Year cookies, the one that’s by far the most beloved in Malaysia is the pineapple tart. These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats often take on different shapes and forms, but they all represent good fortune and luck in the new year. If you find yourself craving these tarts, we’ve pulled up eight of the best pineapple tart recipes for you to try, including one that resembles 2023’s zodiac animal, the Rabbit!
Why Do People Eat Pineapple Tarts?
Sweet desserts, like pineapple tarts and a variety of cookies, are often served and gifted in Malaysia during the Chinese New Year because it symbolises sweet beginnings in the new year. The Hokkiens, in particular, consider pineapple tarts to be auspicious as pineapples, or ong lai in the Hokkien dialect, literally means ‘fortune come’.
Ong Lai When You Bake These Best Pineapple Tart Recipes In Malaysia
Tasty treats that also bring luck? Huat else could you ask for?
1. Nyonya Pineapple Tarts
Kicking off the list is one of the best pineapple tarts in Malaysia, the classic Nyonya-style recipe. Made up of a petal-shaped base, spiced pineapple jam, and lattice top, putting these tarts together will be fun for the kids and maybe even therapeutic for the adults!
Ingredients (makes 40 tarts):
- 2 fresh pineapples
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 60g rock sugar
- 1 clove
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- ½ tbsp water
- 100g margarine
- ¼ tsp salt
2. Pineapple Tart Rolls
Another pineapple tart recipe that’s typically made in Malaysia is these open-sided rolls. For the ridge effect, you’ll need a dedicated mould for the job. But when brushed with egg wash and baked, these ridges add a mildly crunchy texture that complements the soft and fibrous jam.
Ingredients:
- Pre-made pineapple jam
- 250g unsalted butter
- 370g all-purpose flour
- 50g icing sugar
- 20g corn starch
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 whole egg + 1 yolk
- A few drops of flavourless cooking oil
3. Bunny Pineapple Tarts
It’s the Year of the Rabbit, and what better way to usher in the new year than with this adorable pineapple tart recipe? It will require some practice and attention to detail to craft these bunnies, but the results will be well worth your while. If you’re looking for a recipe that will impress your guests, this one’s guaranteed to make their hearts leap!
Ingredients:
- Pre-made pineapple jam
- 100g unsalted butter
- 30g icing sugar
- 1g salt
- 1 egg yolk
- 150g cake flour
- 12g milk powder
- 6g parmesan cheese
4. Cheese Pineapple Tart Balls
This pineapple tart recipe is fairly common in Malaysia and probably one of the easiest to make since it only requires a simple hand-rolling technique. What makes it a little less traditional is the addition of cheese powder in the pastry, which makes for a unique flavour combination. If mixing sweet and savoury isn’t your thing, go for the no-cheese version instead.
Ingredients (makes 53):
- 1,100g fresh pineapple flesh
- 1 lemon
- 160g castor sugar
- 250g salted butter
- 50g cheese powder
- 30g milk powder
- 340g cake flour
- 2 eggs
- 75g icing sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 egg yolk
- 20g haw flakes
5. Double Pineapple Tarts
Is this recipe a little meta? Sure, but there’s nothing wrong with having double the ong! That alone makes this one of the best pineapple tart recipes to try, especially if you’re planning on gifting these tasty treats to friends and family. Just make sure you have a pineapple cookie press on hand before you start.
Ingredients (makes 24):
- 500g fresh pineapple flesh
- 100g sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 100g salted butter
- 100g cake flour
- 20g icing sugar
- 40g corn starch
- 25g milk powder
- 35g parmesan cheese
- 2 egg yolks
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tsp cooking oil
- ½ tsp condensed milk
6. Piped Flower Pineapple Tarts
The best part about this pineapple tart recipe is that there’s no need for special moulds or presses. If you’re a home baker, you probably already have a star piping tip lying around. This recipe uses just that, producing an equally beautiful piped flower effect.
Ingredients:
- Pre-made pineapple jam
- 700g all-purpose flour
- 100g custard powder
- 500g unsalted butter
- 100g icing sugar
- 8g salt
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 egg yolk and honey, for brushing
7. Taiwanese Pineapple Cakes
Fans of Taiwanese pineapple cakes, you’re in luck! As it turns out, you can make these popular exports at home with this authentic pineapple tart recipe. The angular look can be easily replicated with a few simple steps, though you’ll need quite a few rectangular moulds just to bake up a tray.
Ingredients (makes 24):
- 1,350g fresh pineapple flesh
- ⅛ tsp baking soda, optional
- 200g sugar
- 50g dark brown sugar
- 100g maltose
- 125g unsalted butter
- 50g icing sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp honey
- 200g cake flour
- 20g milk powder
- 25g almond flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
8. Rose Pineapple Tarts
Now here’s a pineapple tart recipe that’s pretty unique because it’s shaped in the form of a rose. It’s less common in Malaysia, but it’s a fresh change if you’re tired of traditional-looking tarts. You’ll need a pie crimper to pinch the petals into shape, but otherwise, it’s a very easy design to reproduce.
Ingredients (makes 80):
- 400g all-purpose flour
- 50g corn starch
- 45g icing sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 280g unsalted butter
- 3 egg yolks
- 3 tbsp cold water
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 400g pre-made pineapple jam
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp water
One Recipe Is Never Enough With These Best Pineapple Tart Recipes In Malaysia
So which one of these seven best pineapple tart recipes in Malaysia will you try? Take your pick—you can’t go wrong! Whether it’s Nyonya or Taiwanese style, they all deliver the same buttery, sweet, and tangy kick that will leave you and your guests craving for more. Need a little entertainment to keep you company as you bake these pineapple tarts? Then check out Shopee’s 2023 mystery-themed CNY video entitled, ‘Are they going to make it?’.
Chinese New Year isn’t complete without some traditional clothing, the best bak kwa, and a few auspicious plants. Lucky for you, they’re all available at great prices during the Shopee CNY Sale from 2nd to 24th January 2023.
