Looking for some sweet treats to celebrate Chinese New Year? These easy desserts are perfect for ushering in the new year, but they’re just as delightful any time of the year! 🎉 Chinese New Year is a big deal in Chinese culture. It’s when families come together for the most important meal of the year – the New Year’s Eve dinner. And let’s be honest, no celebration is complete without some sweet treats to mark the occasion!

1.Egg Tarts

Egg tarts are absolute perfection. Imagine a smooth, delicate custard cream nestled in a crispy, flaky pastry shell–every bite is pure bliss. These bite-sized treats are irresistibly addictive. Go ahead, try to stop after one…

we dare you! The best part? This shortcut recipe uses store-bought puff pastry, so you can serve up these golden, creamy goodies in record time. No fuss, all flavor!

2.Nian Gao (Chinese New Year Sticky Rice Cake)

Nian gao is the star dessert of Chinese New Year, and for good reason–it’s irresistibly sweet and sticky!

This traditional rice cake holds a special place in celebrations, often served to the Kitchen God with hopes of earning his favor.

The name itself, ‘gao,’ means ‘tall’ or ‘high,’ symbolizing wishes for prosperity and success.

Plus, parents love telling kids it’ll help them grow taller–whether that’s true or not, it’s a delicious way to celebrate the holiday!

3.Fa Gao (Fortune Cake)

Meet Fa Gao, a traditional Chinese cake that symbolizes success–just like other desserts with ‘gao’ in their name.

Imagine a mix between a sponge cake and a muffin, with a unique twist: once baked, the top splits into three to four segments.

The more defined these splits, the more luck they’re said to bring! Classic Fa Gao boasts a golden brown hue, but feel free to get creative and dye the cakes for a festive touch.

4.Fortune Cookies

Fortune Cookies These iconic treats might be linked to Chinese cuisine, but they’re actually an American invention. Perfect for celebrating Chinese New Year, fortune cookies bring a delightful twist to your dessert spread.

What makes them special isn’t just the taste–it’s the thrill of cracking one open to reveal the hidden fortune inside. It’s all about the experience! The best part?

When you make them at home, you get to craft your own fortunes. It’s a fun and creative way to welcome the New Year with personalized messages for your loved ones.

5.Taro Balls

These bite-sized treats are made with mashed taro and sweet potato, giving them a vibrant purple color.

Enjoy them any time of the year, whether it’s during Chinese New Year or just a cozy day at home.

In the summer, they’re perfectly chilled and served with sweetened beans, tofu pudding, or grass jelly. When the weather cools down, they’re warmed up and drizzled with a delicious sweet syrup.

This recipe takes it up a notch with a brown sugar and ginger-infused syrup–sweet, spicy, and utterly irresistible!

6.Red Bean Soup

Red bean soup is a warm, comforting dessert that’s as cozy as it gets. This sweet, thick, and creamy treat is packed with chewy tapioca pearls that add a fun texture.

Made with just five simple ingredients, it’s a breeze to make, even if you’re new to cooking. The base is pureed red beans, sweetened with sugar, and zipped up with a hint of orange zest.

The best part? Those soft, chewy tapioca balls add a delightful contrast to the smooth soup.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to soak your red beans the night before–they need a full 8 hours to soften up and become perfectly tender.

7.Eight Treasure Rice Pudding

Meet babaofan, a sweet and sticky pudding made with glutinous rice and topped with eight delicious fruits and nuts.

This dish is a staple during Chinese New Year, celebrating the legend of eight brave warriors who overthrew a ruthless king.

Another tale claims it was created by a starving general who used whatever ingredients he could find to survive.

In Chinese culture, the number eight symbolizes prosperity and wealth, making this pudding more than just a dessert–it’s a meaningful tradition.

8.Chinese Glutinous Rice Balls

Tang yuan is a must-have dessert for Chinese New Year celebrations. These chewy, sticky balls come filled with a liquid center and are served in a sweet syrup.

This recipe adds a pop of color with two varieties: classic white and pink, made vibrant with beetroot juice. The black sesame filling provides a striking contrast against the soft pastel hues.

Enjoying tang yuan during the New Year is a beloved tradition believed to strengthen family bonds.

9.Chinese Almond Cookies

These round cookies are more than just a treat–they’re symbols of good fortune! With a crispy exterior and a light, crumbly texture thanks to almond meal, they’re perfectly balanced.

The sweetness is just right, and topping each cookie with an almond adds a delightful nutty crunch. Best of all? They’re a breeze to make!

No fancy ingredients or extra bowls needed–everything comes together in one simple step. Just 15 minutes in the oven, and you’ll have a batch of these lucky, delicious cookies ready to enjoy!

10.Sesame Seed Balls

Sesame seed balls, or jian dui, are a beloved dessert in China and Taiwan. You can find them everywhere, from street vendors to dim sum restaurants.

These tasty treats have a chewy texture thanks to glutinous rice flour. Inside, they’re filled with sweet red bean paste, and the outside is covered in crunchy sesame seeds.

Together, it’s a flavor and texture match made in heaven! Now, here’s the honest truth: getting these balls perfectly shaped takes a little practice. But don’t worry–even if they’re not flawless, they’ll still taste amazing.

So don’t be afraid to give it a try!