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ChineseAuthentic Cuisine

Chinese Nut Pastry

Serves 4 to 6 Pastry vegetarian, Breads & Pastry

Chinese Nut Pastry

Chinese Nut Pastry is a sweet indulgence commonly enjoyed during family tea times or as a treat on special occasions. This recipe reflects the simplicity and warmth of a Chinese home kitchen, where ingredients are measured with intuition and care. Traditionally baked by hand, these pastries capture the spirit of sharing, as they are often laid out on the table for everyone to savor together.

Bite into the pastry, and you'll experience the perfect balance of buttery richness and nutty sweetness, with a texture that crumbles delicately yet holds its form. The aroma of baked nuts and butter lingers, tempting even the most disciplined to reach for another piece. Serve them warm or at room temperature, as they are meant to be enjoyed in good company.

Ingredients

  • 250 gflour
  • 150 gnuts — chopped
  • 100 gbutter
  • 100 gsugar
  • 1egg

Method

  1. Begin by taking 100 g of butter out of the refrigerator and allowing it to soften at room temperature. This will make it easier to incorporate into the dough later. Crack the egg into a small bowl and let it sit out to reach room temperature as well, which helps in achieving a smoother dough texture.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 250 g of flour and 100 g of sugar. Mix them together with a whisk or fork until evenly distributed. This ensures that the sugar is well integrated into the flour, which will help in creating a uniform sweetness throughout the pastry.
  3. Chop 150 g of nuts into small, even pieces. You can use a knife or a food processor for this task. The nuts should be small enough to distribute evenly in the dough but not so fine that they lose their texture.
  4. Add the softened butter to the flour and sugar mixture. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial for creating a flaky texture in the pastry.
  5. Beat the room temperature egg lightly and add it to the crumb mixture. Mix everything together using a spatula or your hands until a dough forms. The dough should be smooth and not sticky; if it feels too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time until the right consistency is achieved.
  6. Gently fold in the chopped nuts, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. This ensures that each piece of pastry will have a balanced nutty flavor.
  7. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). While the oven is heating, shape the dough into small, round balls, about the size of a walnut, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave enough space between each ball to allow for spreading during baking.
  8. Bake the pastries in the preheated oven until they are golden brown, which should take about 15-20 minutes. The pastries should have a firm exterior but remain slightly soft in the center. Let them cool on a wire rack before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to set.
Cover of Authentic Chinese Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Chinese Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Chinese Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Chinese volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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