Celebrating Chinese New Year is all about family, tradition, and of course, delicious food! This year, why not add a fun twist to your festivities by creating homemade desserts that your kids can help prepare? From sweet rice balls to colorful fortune cookies, these DIY treats are not only festive but also a great way to bond as a family.
Get your aprons ready and let your little ones join in the fun of crafting these delightful Chinese New Year desserts!
DIY Chinese New Year Dessert Recipes
DIY Chinese New Year Dessert Recipes Your Kids Can Help Make
1. Sweet Glutinous Rice Balls (Tangyuan)
Tangyuan symbolizes family unity and is a must-have during Chinese New Year. Kids will love shaping the dough and creating colorful rice balls!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups glutinous rice flour
- ¾ cup water
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sweet fillings (e.g., sesame paste, red bean paste, or peanut butter)
- Sweet ginger syrup (optional, for serving)
Steps:
- Combine glutinous rice flour and water in a bowl until a smooth dough forms.
- Divide the dough into sections and mix in food coloring to make vibrant hues.
- Roll the dough into small balls, then flatten each ball to add a small amount of filling. Seal and roll it back into a ball.
- Boil a pot of water and cook the rice balls until they float (about 3–5 minutes).
- Serve in warm sweet ginger syrup or lightly sugared water.
2. DIY Fortune Cookies
Add a personal touch to Chinese New Year with homemade fortune cookies filled with fun messages.
Ingredients:
- 2 egg whites
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Steps:
- Write fun fortunes or messages on small strips of paper.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk egg whites and sugar until frothy, then add flour, water, and vanilla until smooth.
- Spoon small circles of batter onto the baking sheet and spread them thinly.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes until the edges turn golden.
- While hot, place a fortune in the center of each cookie, fold in half, and shape into a crescent. Let cool to harden.
3. Peanut Sesame Brittle (Hua Sheng Tang)
Crunchy, sweet, and nutty, this simple treat is a favorite during Chinese New Year.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1½ cups roasted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Steps:
- Heat sugar and water in a pan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and turns golden brown.
- Stir in peanuts and sesame seeds, coating them evenly with the caramelized sugar.
- Pour the mixture onto a parchment-lined tray and spread it out thinly.
- Let it cool and harden before breaking it into pieces.
4. Mandarin Orange Jelly Cups
Mandarin oranges are a symbol of good fortune, and these jellies are a fun, kid-friendly dessert!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mandarin orange juice (fresh or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons gelatin powder
- Mandarin orange segments for garnish
Steps:
- Heat the orange juice and sugar in a saucepan until warm.
- Dissolve the gelatin powder in the warm juice, stirring until completely mixed.
- Pour the mixture into small cups or molds.
- Add mandarin segments to each cup for decoration.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 2–3 hours until set.
5. Chinese New Year Cookies (Pineapple Tarts)
These buttery, sweet tarts are a festive favorite. Kids can help shape the dough and add the pineapple filling.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pineapple jam or canned pineapple chunks cooked with sugar
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy, then gradually add flour to form a dough.
- Roll the dough into small balls, flatten them, and add a teaspoon of pineapple filling in the center. Seal and roll into neat balls or shapes.
- Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes until golden.
DIY Chinese New Year Dessert Recipes Your Kids Can Help Make
Making Chinese New Year desserts at home isn’t just about creating sweet treats. It’s about creating lasting memories with your family.
By involving your kids in the process, you’re passing down traditions, sharing stories, and embracing the joy of the season together. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let the festive fun begin!
Happy Chinese New Year!