Chinese Biscuit Recipe: How to Make Delicious Snacks at Home

If you're on the hunt for a unique and delicious dessert to impress your guests, look no further than Chinese biscuits. These traditional treats are a staple of Chinese New Year celebrations and are enjoyed throughout the year. With a few essential ingredients and some basic biscuit-making techniques, you can create a variety of popular Chinese biscuit varieties that are sure to delight your taste buds.

To make Chinese biscuits, you'll need flour, sugar, eggs, and butter or oil. Other ingredients, such as milk powder, condensed milk, and seafood, can be added to enhance the flavour and texture of the biscuits. There are several techniques for making Chinese biscuits, including rolling, cutting, and frying. With a little practice, you can master these techniques and create biscuits that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Popular Chinese biscuit varieties include Kai Zai Paeng or Kampar Chicken Biscuits, Guang Su Pin or Chinese White Cakey Biscuits, and sweet biscuits. These biscuits are often served with tea or as a dessert after a meal. To store Chinese biscuits, place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to a week.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese biscuits are a traditional dessert enjoyed throughout the year and during Chinese New Year celebrations.
• Essential ingredients for making Chinese biscuits include flour, sugar, eggs, and butter or oil, with additional ingredients such as milk powder, condensed milk, and seafood suggested for added flavour.
• Popular Chinese biscuit varieties include Kampar Chicken Biscuits, Chinese White Cakey Biscuits, and sweet biscuits, and can be stored for up to a week in an airtight container at room temperature.

Essential Ingredients

To make Chinese biscuits, you will need to have a few essential ingredients. These include flour varieties, sweetening agents, and fats and oils. Here is a breakdown of each of these categories:

Flour Varieties

The flour used in Chinese biscuits can vary depending on the recipe. All-purpose flour is a common choice, but cake flour and cornstarch can also be used. Cake flour is a lower protein flour that will produce a more tender biscuit. Cornstarch is often used in combination with other flours to create a lighter texture.

Sweetening Agents

Sugar is the most common sweetening agent used in Chinese biscuits. Castor sugar is often used because it dissolves more easily than granulated sugar. Other sweeteners, such as honey or molasses, can also be used to add flavour to the biscuits.

Fats and Oils

Butter and lard are common fats used in Chinese biscuits. Butter adds flavour while lard adds tenderness. Other oils, such as vegetable oil or coconut oil, can also be used.

Seafood can also be added to the recipe to give it a unique flavour. For example, you can add dried shrimp or squid to the batter before frying to give the biscuits a savoury taste. Alternatively, you can add crab meat or prawns to the filling of the biscuits to make them more substantial.

The key to making Chinese biscuits is to use high-quality ingredients and to follow the recipe carefully. With a little practice, you can create delicious biscuits that are perfect for any occasion.

Biscuit Making Techniques

Dough Preparation

Before you start making Chinese biscuits, you need to prepare the dough. The dough is the foundation of the biscuit, and it's essential to get it right. You can use an electric mixer to make the dough, or you can mix it by hand. To make the dough, you need flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. You can also add sugar to the dough if you like your biscuits sweet.

To make the dough, mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Then add water and mix until the dough comes together. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it's smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.

Shaping and Cutting

Once the dough has rested, it's time to shape and cut the biscuits. You can use a rolling pin to roll out the dough, or you can shape it by hand. If you're using a rolling pin, dust it with flour to prevent the dough from sticking. Roll out the dough to the desired thickness and use a biscuit cutter to cut out the biscuits.

If you're shaping the biscuits by hand, take a small piece of dough and roll it into a ball. Flatten the ball with your hand or a rolling pin, and then use a knife to cut the dough into the desired shape.

Baking Essentials

To bake the biscuits, preheat your oven to the recommended temperature. Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper and place the biscuits on it. Make sure to leave enough space between the biscuits to prevent them from sticking together.

Bake the biscuits for the recommended time, or until they're golden brown. If you're not sure if the biscuits are done, you can insert a toothpick into the centre of one of the biscuits. If it comes out clean, the biscuits are ready.

If you want to add seafood to your Chinese biscuit recipe, you can try using shrimp or crab meat. You can add the seafood to the dough or use it as a topping. Make sure to cook the seafood before adding it to the biscuits.

Popular Chinese Biscuit Varieties

Chinese biscuits are a popular snack that can be enjoyed any time of the day. They come in many different varieties, each with its unique taste and texture. Here are three of the most popular Chinese biscuit varieties that you can try making at home:

Almond Cookies

Chinese almond cookies are a classic biscuit that is popular around the world. They are made with ground almonds, flour, sugar, and butter, and are shaped into small rounds before baking. The result is a crunchy and nutty biscuit that is perfect with a cup of tea.

To make your almond cookies more interesting, you can add some chopped seafood, such as shrimp or crab, to the dough. This will give your biscuits a unique flavour that is sure to impress.

Hup Toh Soh (Walnut Biscuits)

Hup Toh Soh, also known as Chinese walnut biscuits, are a traditional biscuit that is still popular today. They are made with flour, sugar, butter, and walnuts, and are shaped into large rounds before baking. The result is a crunchy and nutty biscuit that is perfect with a cup of coffee.

If you want to make your Hup Toh Soh even more special, you can add some chopped seafood, such as scallops or prawns, to the dough. This will give your biscuits a unique flavour that is sure to impress.

Love Letters (Egg Roll Biscuits)

Love letters, also known as egg roll biscuits, are a thin and crispy biscuit that is perfect for snacking. They are made with flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, and are rolled out thinly before baking. The result is a delicate and crispy biscuit that is perfect with a cup of tea.

To make your love letters more interesting, you can add some chopped seafood, such as lobster or crab, to the dough. This will give your biscuits a unique flavour that is sure to impress.

Chinese biscuits are a delicious and versatile snack that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you prefer almond cookies, Hup Toh Soh, or love letters, there is a Chinese biscuit variety that is sure to suit your taste. So why not try making your own at home and experiment with different flavours and ingredients?

Serving and Storage Tips

Tea Pairing

Chinese biscuits are a perfect snack to enjoy with a cup of tea. You can pair them with a variety of teas such as green tea, black tea, or oolong tea. However, if you want to enjoy a more authentic Chinese experience, you can pair them with Chinese tea eggs. The salty and savoury taste of the tea eggs complements the sweetness of the biscuits, making for a perfect snack.

Storing for Freshness

To ensure the freshness of your Chinese biscuits, it is important to store them in an airtight container. This will prevent moisture from getting in and making the biscuits soggy. You can also add a small packet of silica gel to the container to absorb any excess moisture.

If you want to keep your Chinese biscuits for a longer period of time, you can freeze them. Place the biscuits in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months. When you want to eat them, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few hours.

If you are looking for a unique gift idea, Chinese biscuits are a great option. You can package them in a decorative box or tin and tie it with a ribbon. You can also include a packet of Chinese tea to complete the gift.

If you want to add a seafood twist to your Chinese biscuits, you can try adding dried shrimp or scallops to the recipe. These seafood options will add a unique flavour to the biscuits and make them even more delicious.

Cultural Significance and Occasions

Chinese biscuits have a rich cultural significance in Chinese cuisine. They are often served during traditional Chinese festivals such as the Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Dragon Boat Festival. In fact, many Chinese families have their own unique biscuit recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Biscuits are also commonly found in Chinese restaurants and take-out menus. They are often served as a dessert or as a snack to accompany tea. If you're feeling nostalgic for the biscuits of your childhood, making them at home is a great option. There are many Chinese recipes available online that are easy to follow and produce delicious results.

When it comes to adding seafood to your biscuit recipe, there are a few options to consider. For example, you could try adding dried shrimp or scallops to your biscuit dough for a unique flavour. Alternatively, you could top your biscuits with a mixture of minced prawns, spring onions and soy sauce for a savoury twist.

Overall, Chinese biscuits are a versatile and tasty addition to any meal or occasion. Whether you're making them at home or ordering them from your favourite Chinese restaurant, they are sure to delight your taste buds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make a traditional Chinese mooncake?

Making traditional Chinese mooncakes can be a bit complicated, but it's definitely worth it. The main ingredients for the dough are flour, golden syrup, alkaline water, and oil. The filling can be sweet or savory and can include ingredients such as lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or even seafood like shrimp or scallops. The dough is wrapped around the filling and pressed into a mold before baking.

What's a simple way to bake Chinese sugar biscuits?

Chinese sugar biscuits are a delicious treat that can be made easily at home. The dough is made with flour, sugar, and oil, and can be flavored with ingredients like sesame seeds or almond extract. The dough is rolled out and cut into shapes before baking in the oven.

Can you suggest a foolproof method for making Chinese biscuits?

Making Chinese biscuits can be a bit tricky, but there are some tips to make the process easier. One important tip is to make sure the dough is well chilled before rolling it out. This will prevent the dough from sticking to the rolling pin and surface. Another tip is to use a good quality flour, which will result in a better texture for the biscuits. Adding seafood like shrimp or crab can give the biscuits a unique and delicious flavor.

Which recipe is considered the best for authentic Chinese biscuits?

There are many recipes for authentic Chinese biscuits, but one of the most popular is the almond cookie recipe. This recipe uses almond flour, sugar, and oil to create a delicious and crispy cookie. Other popular recipes include the sesame seed cookie and the peanut cookie.

Could you tell me the name of some classic Chinese biscuit snacks?

Some classic Chinese biscuit snacks include the egg tart, the wife cake, and the pineapple bun. These snacks are often enjoyed with tea and are a popular choice for breakfast or as a mid-day snack.

What are the secrets behind crafting a perfect Chinese-style biscuit?

The key to crafting a perfect Chinese-style biscuit is to use quality ingredients and to follow the recipe closely. Chilling the dough before rolling it out, using a good quality flour, and adding seafood like shrimp or crab can also enhance the flavor of the biscuit. Additionally, baking the biscuits at the correct temperature and for the right amount of time is crucial to achieving the perfect texture.