Ah, Chinese New Year! It’s a time filled with joy, family gatherings, and, of course, delightful treats. One of the sweetest traditions during this festive season is enjoying candy, which symbolizes good luck and prosperity for the coming year. That’s why I’m so excited to share my favorite Chinese New Year candy ideas with you! This isn’t just one recipe; it’s a vibrant collection of colorful, chewy candies that will brighten up your celebrations. With a mix of textures and flavors, these treats are not only fun to make but also a fantastic way to ring in the new year with loved ones. Let’s get cooking and create some festive magic together!
Ingredients List
- 2 cups glutinous rice flour
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed coconut milk
- A few drops of red food coloring
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
- 1/2 cup fruit preserves (your choice of flavor)
How to Prepare Instructions
- First, grab a large mixing bowl and combine 2 cups of glutinous rice flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 cup of water. Mix until everything is well incorporated and smooth. This is the base for your candy, and trust me, it’s going to be delicious!
- Next, gently stir in 1 cup of packed coconut milk. This will give your candy that rich, creamy texture we all love. Make sure there are no lumps—smooth is the name of the game!
- Now, divide this mixture evenly into two separate bowls. In one bowl, add a few drops of red food coloring and mix it in. The vibrant color will really pop and make your candy festive!
- Take a steamer and line it with parchment paper. Pour both mixtures into the steamer, alternating the colors if you like. This will create a beautiful marbled effect!
- Cover and steam the mixtures for about 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it’s firm to the touch and has set nicely.
- Once steamed, let the candy cool for a bit before cutting it into bite-sized pieces. This is where the magic happens!
- Finally, roll each piece in sesame seeds and chopped peanuts for that delightful crunch. Oh, yum!
Nutritional Information
These delightful candies are not just a treat for the eyes but also for the taste buds! Each piece contains approximately 80 calories, with 3g of fat and 1g of protein. They also have about 12g of carbohydrates and 10g of sugar. Keep in mind that these values can vary based on the brands and specific ingredients you use. So, feel free to indulge while celebrating the new year!
FAQ Section
Can I use different fillings for the candy? Absolutely! While I love using fruit preserves, you can get creative with fillings like red bean paste, sweetened coconut, or even chocolate. Just make sure whatever you choose is thick enough to hold its shape!
How should I store these candies? Once you’ve made these festive treats, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them, but they’re best enjoyed fresh!
Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Yes! Just ensure you’re using gluten-free glutinous rice flour, which is naturally gluten-free. It’ll still give you that chewy texture we all love!
What if I don’t have a steamer? No worries! You can use a large pot with a lid and a heatproof plate or dish on a trivet. Just add some water to the pot, bring it to a simmer, and place your filled plate on top to steam away!
How can I make the candy more colorful? You can experiment with different food colorings or even use natural colorants like beet juice for red or matcha for green. The more vibrant, the better for your Chinese New Year celebrations!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for last-minute celebrations
- A festive treat that adds a pop of color to your Chinese New Year table
- Customizable with various fillings and colors to suit everyone’s taste
- Vegetarian-friendly, making it a great option for all guests
- Kid-friendly fun—let the little ones help with rolling and decorating!
Tips for Success
- Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure your water and coconut milk are at room temperature before mixing. This helps create a smoother batter and ensures even cooking.
- Don’t rush the steaming: Steaming the candy for the full 30 minutes is crucial for the right texture. You want it to be firm yet chewy—so resist the urge to peek too often!
- Experiment with flavors: Don’t be afraid to add a hint of vanilla or a splash of pandan extract to the mixture for a unique twist. It’s all about personalizing your treats!
- Cut evenly: When cutting the cooled candy, use a sharp knife and a gentle sawing motion. This will help you get clean edges and perfectly sized pieces.
- Get creative with toppings: Besides sesame seeds and peanuts, try rolling some pieces in shredded coconut or crushed nuts for additional texture and flavor!
Variations
There are so many fun ways to mix things up with these candies! For a tropical twist, try adding some crushed pineapple to the coconut milk for a fruity flavor explosion. Instead of fruit preserves, consider using red bean paste or sweetened matcha for a delightful surprise inside! You can also go wild with colors—why not try blue or green food coloring for a vibrant presentation? And for decoration, don’t just stop at sesame seeds and peanuts; sprinkle on some crushed almonds or shredded coconut for extra crunch and flair. Let your creativity shine, and make these festive treats truly your own!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your delicious candy fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to extend their shelf life, you can refrigerate them, but be aware that they might lose a bit of their chewy texture. Just let them come to room temperature before enjoying! There’s no need to reheat these treats; they’re best served at room temperature for that perfect bite. Trust me, you’ll want to savor every colorful piece during your celebrations!
Imprimer
Chinese New Year Candy Ideas: 7 Sweet Festive Recipes
- Temps Total: 50 minutes
- Rendement: 20 pieces
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
A collection of festive candy ideas for Chinese New Year celebrations.
Ingrédients
- Glutinous rice flour – 2 cups
- Water – 1 cup
- Sugar – 1 cup
- Coconut milk – 1 cup
- Red food coloring – a few drops
- Sesame seeds – 1/2 cup
- Peanuts – 1/2 cup
- Fruit preserves – 1/2 cup
Instructions
- Mix glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water in a bowl.
- Add coconut milk and mix until smooth.
- Divide the mixture into two bowls.
- Add red food coloring to one bowl and mix.
- Pour the mixtures into a steamer lined with parchment paper.
- Steam for 30 minutes until set.
- Let cool and cut into pieces.
- Roll pieces in sesame seeds and chopped peanuts.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container.
- Use different food coloring for variety.
- Try adding different fillings like fruit preserves.
- Temps De Préparation: 20 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 30 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Steaming
- Cuisine: Chinese
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 piece
- Calories: 80
- Sucre: 10g
- De Sodium: 5mg
- La graisse: 3g
- Graisses Saturées: 2g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 1g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 12g
- La fibre: 1g
- La protéine: 1g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 0mg
Mots-clés: Chinese New Year, candy ideas, festive treats
