Cookies and homemade treats are a big part of Chinese New Year, often baked to share with family and friends. This roundup brings together some of the best Chinese New Year cookie recipes you can make at home, from classic pineapple tarts to other CNY favorites.
Chinese New Year is a time for family, togetherness, and of course, lots of amazing food!! Cookies play a big role in the celebrations, often baked in advance to share with family and friends.
Once the calendar year wraps up on December 31st, it doesn’t take long before Chinese New Year rolls around. The Lunar New Year usually falls between late January and mid-February, which means planning and baking often start weeks in advance.
Food is a huge part of the CNY celebrations, especially snacks, cookies, and sweets. Do you have a favorite Chinese New Year cookie or snack?
Personally, one of my favorite parts of Chinese New Year is the cookies. They’re always there, from the first day of visiting right through the end of the celebrations, and we always have an abundance of baked goodies at our place.
Some cookies are tied closely to symbolism. Pineapple Jam Tarts are a good example. In the Hokkien dialect, pineapple is pronounced “ong lai,” which sounds like “prosperity comes." So pineapple tarts are believed to bring good fortune.
Almond cookies, with their coin-like shape, are also associated with wealth.
Peanuts represent good health and longevity, making Chinese Peanut Cookies a popular choice during this season.
These cookies are great for gifting during Chinese New Year, but they’re just as nice to have on hand at home for snacking throughout the festive season.
Here’s a collection of CNY cookie recipes to try.
Wishing you and your family a very happy Lunar New Year!
新年快乐
CHINESE PEANUT COOKIES
A classic Chinese New Year cookie. These peanut cookies are lightly sweet, crumbly, and packed with peanut flavor. Perfect for baking ahead and sharing. My personal favorite!
CHINESE ALMOND COOKIES
These almond cookies have a lightly crisp exterior with a soft, tender center and a subtle almond flavor. Their coin-like shape makes them a popular choice, symbolizing wealth and good fortune.
PINEAPPLE JAM TARTS
A CNY staple, these buttery, flaky tarts are filled with sweet pineapple jam. Pineapple tarts are associated with prosperity, making them a must-have during the festive season.
CHINESE NEW YEAR COOKIES by Constellation Inspiration
This set includes Blank Canvas Shortbread, Chinese New Year Shaker Cookies, and Chewy Sesame Cookies. Visually striking cookies with distinct textures and flavors, perfect for adding variety to your Chinese New Year bakes.
CHINESE WALNUT COOKIES by Daily Cooking Quest
These Chinese walnut cookies are crunchy and fragrant, with the natural flavor of walnuts and a light touch of sesame seeds. They’re a great option if you enjoy cookies with texture and a deeper, toasty flavor.
TAPIOCA COCONUT COOKIES (KUIH BANGKIT SANTAN) by What to Cook Today
Made with tapioca starch and coconut cream, these traditional tapioca coconut cookies are light, fragrant, and delicately crisp. A classic treat often enjoyed during the Lunar New Year.
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HOMEMADE FORTUNE COOKIES by My Cooking Journey
A fun, hands-on treat, these homemade fortune cookies are easy to make and let you add your own personalized messages inside.
CHINESE ALMOND BUTTER COOKIES by Vegan in the Freezer
Made with almond butter, these Chinese almond butter cookies are softly crunchy and full of almond flavor, offering a slightly different take on a classic Chinese New Year cookie.
BLACK SESAME SHORTBREAD COOKIES by Little Sweet Baker
Buttery black sesame shortbread cookies with a lightly toasty flavor from roasted sesame seeds. A nice option if you prefer cookies that aren’t overly sweet.
ONE BITE PINE NUT COOKIES by Yummy Workshop
These bite-sized pine nut cookies are small and delicate, with a lightly crisp texture and a subtle, nutty flavor. They’re especially nice enjoyed with a cup of Chinese tea.
NASTAR (PINEAPPLE COOKIES) by V for Veggy
These pineapple tarts are filled with spiced pineapple jam flavored with cinnamon and cloves. Similar to the pineapple jam tarts above, the key difference is that the jam is enclosed inside the pastry rather than piped on top.
BROWN BUTTER CHINESE WALNUT COOKIES by Yummy Workshop
These brown butter Chinese walnut cookies are crumbly and rich, with the deep, nutty flavor of brown butter adding extra depth to a traditional walnut cookie.
CHOW MEIN NOODLE COOKIES by Wanna Come With
These chow mein noodle cookies are made with crispy noodles, chocolate, and butterscotch, creating a sweet-and-crunchy treat with plenty of texture. A fun addition to a CNY cookie spread.
BUTTER COOKIE WITH BLACK SESAME by China Sichuan Food
These classic butter cookies are light, crumbly, and enhanced with the nutty flavor of black sesame seeds.
SALTED EGG YOLKS & CURRY LEAVES COOKIES by Daily Cooking Quest
These cookies combine salted egg yolks and curry leaves for a bold sweet-and-savory flavor. Rich, aromatic, and slightly savory, they’re a great option if you enjoy less traditional Chinese New Year cookies.
