How to make pineapple cookies – learn the step-by-step and make the BEST and easiest Asian pineapple cookies ever!
Originally published on March 23, 2008, updated with new photos.
Chinese New Year—especially in Malaysia—is incomplete without trays and trays of pineapple tarts.
Over the years, I have really fallen in love with these absolutely tasty and addictive pineapple tarts and I have tried countless pineapple tarts recipe.
However, time after time, I come back to this recipe that I have learned from Fresh from the Oven.
This pineapple tarts recipe is easy and definitely a keeper!
Two trays of buttery, sweet, flaky, delicious, and beautiful pineapple tarts were born in my kitchen.
Thanks to my Malaysian friend Mandy at Fresh from the Oven, I couldn’t get enough of them, and I am definitely saving this pineapple tarts recipe for good.
Pineapple tarts (凤梨酥) are commonly baked for the celebration of Chinese New Year festival in Malaysia and Singapore.
In Taiwan, pineapple tarts or 凤梨酥 are exceedingly popular but Taiwanese pinepple tarts recipe calls for shortening and milk powder and taste slightly different.
Because shortening is used in the Taiwanese version, they are also called pineapple shortcakes.
Making these pineapple tarts (凤梨酥) takes some patience, especially with the pineapple jam or pineapple tarts filling.
The pineapple tarts looked so photogenic I just had to take a lot of pictures.
So, please remember to view the complete pineapple tarts pictures above.
Below is the pineapple tarts recipe, which I have adapted from Fresh from the Oven.
You can also make these pineapple tarts into different shapes, such as the open face flower shape.
You can check out the recipe of open face pineapple tarts recipe here.
Enjoy!
How Many Calories Per Serving?
This recipe is only 337 calories per serving.
Pairs well with:
Pineapple Tarts Recipe
How to make pineapple cookies - learn the step-by-step and make the BEST and easiest Asian pineapple cookies ever.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (350g)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, corn flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar/icing sugar/powdered sugar
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, I use Challenge brand (8 oz./ 1 cup/ 225 g)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 egg yolk + 1/2 tablespoon condensed milk, lightly beaten for egg wash
Pineapple Jam (Filling)
- 3 cans sliced pineapples (20 oz/can or 2 fresh pineapples)
- 10 tablespoons sugar, more or less to taste (1/2 cup)
- 1/2 tablespoon cloves, (optional)
Directions
- 1
If you are using canned pineapple slices, drain the pineapple slices and then squeeze the extra water/juice with your hands. Blend the canned pineapples until they are mushy, about 10 seconds. If you use fresh pineapples, remove the skin, cut into pieces and blend for 10 seconds.
- 2
Transfer the blended pineapple into a deep pan (non-stick preferably). Add sugar and cloves and stir well. Cook on medium to low heat until most liquid has evaporated, and the pineapple jam turns golden in color. Stirring constantly and continuously using a wooden spoon to avoid burning. Taste, and add more sugar as needed. Remove and discard the cloves and let cool in the fridge.
- 3
Sieve the flour, cornstarch, salt and sugar in a big bowl or container. Soften the butter to room temperature. Combine the flour mixture, butter, and egg yolks together. Knead to form the dough. The dough is ready when it doesn't stick to the hand. If the dough is too crumbly or dry, add a little bit more butter (about 1 tablespoon) until the dough is easy to work with.
- 4
Divide the dough and pineapple jam (filling) each into 30 equal rounds. Flatten the pastry dough with your palms and put the pineapple filling in the middle and use the dough to cover the filling. Use your palms to round it up and then shape it into a roll about 1 1/2-inch long shape. Use a small paring knife to make criss-cross patterns on the tart and then brush it with the egg wash (see picture above) using a small pastry brush. Place the pineapple tarts on a tray lined with parchment paper, arrange the pineapple tarts so they are at least 1 inch apart of each other.
- 5
Preheat the oven to 350F (180C) and bake for 20-25 minutes or until light brown.
Recipe Notes
For the egg wash, you can just use the egg yolk. However, adding condensed milk to the egg wash will make the surface of the pineapple tarts look more glossy and golden, a trick that I learned from my friend at Indochine Kitchen. In my original recipe published in 2008, I made 24 tarts, bigger in size. You can make about 24-30 tarts, depending on the size you like. In the previous version of recipe, I also used 1 tablespoon of shortening, added when kneading the dough. It made the pineapple tarts even more crumbly and melt-in-your mouth. Shortening is optional and not required. If you run into the problem of the pastry dough being too dry or crumbly and very hard to shape and work with, add more room-temperature (softened) butter into your dough and knead the dough again until it's not sticking to your hands and easy to work with. Some readers added a wee bit of water and it worked, too.
Latest Recipes:
Diane
Hi Bee, can I make the pineapple tarts in the shape of the normal Chinese new year tarts (the ones using the mould and has open ends) using the same pastry recipe?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes I think so. :)
LY
Hi Bee, can I ask how to combine the flour mixture, butter and egg yolks? Is it using a hand or electric mixer?
Rasa Malaysia
By hand.
Estella
The tarts are fantastic. My family and friends absolutely love them. I tried with pineapple jam (2 bottles of 350g) instead. The jam I bought was a bit too sweet and moist. I had to recook it for about 1/2 Hr and added some lemon juice. With this recipe, I made about 43 pieces ( pineapple filling 5g and dough 8-10g each). Thanks for sharing the recipe. :)
Mei Ching
Just to say that it’s a great recipe & the tarts were delicious. It took about 3 hours for the jam to be ready in case anyone is wondering how long it took.
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Mei Ching, thanks for your comment. If you use a non-stick pot to make the jam and have it on high it takes about 1 hour. :)
Sandra
Just baked these pineapple tarts and they are pure heaven!! Thank you for the recipe ..
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks for trying!