Time has passed so fast and here we are again, ready to celebrate Chinese New Year! As usual, one of the must-haves during this season is CNY snacks. These snacks are an important main character that can’t be overlooked.

Apart from just being served to guests, they hold traditional and sentimental values that remind us of our roots.

Some of the most common CNY kueh include love letters, kuih bangkit, mini spring rolls, rose cookies and pineapple tarts.  Pineapple tarts are particularly symbolic because pineapples are considered symbols of good luck and prosperity in Chinese culture.

The word pineapple in Hokkien, ‘Ong Lai’ actually means ‘good luck will come’. That’s why they’re a staple in almost all households during the festive season.

What is a Pineapple Tart?

If you’re new to the Chinese New Year celebrations, a pineapple tart is a sweet pastry. It has a slightly salted crust made of flour and butter. In the middle of the crust in some sweet pineapple jam. The crust dough is made first and then the jam is added. The tarts then go through a baking process in an oven until they turn golden brown.

These days, thankfully, there are many ready-made pineapple tarts from various bakeries and pastry makers. This makes it very convenient, especially in today’s busy and fast paced environment.

The tarts also come in various shapes, the most common pineapple shapes are:

1.  Open faced pineapple tarts

One of the most famous open faced pineapple tarts has to be the Nyonya variety, which looks like a typical version of a French shortcrust fruit tart, just smaller. The crusts of the Nyonya tarts are usually made with salted butter rather than unsalted. This helps balance and really bring out the sweetness of the pineapple paste.

2.  Pineapple Rollover

This version is one where the pastry is rolled over the filling, with both ends of the pastry still open.

Source: Alpha@Flickr

3.  Rounded Ball

Sometimes, these pineapple pastry looks like golf balls. The crusty pastry hides its pineapple filling in the middle.

4.  Square or Taiwanese shaped

Square shaped pineapple cookies as pastries typically come from Taiwan, and sometimes made by local bakers too. The pastry is more crumbly and less brown than, say, the Nyonya version. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Who Makes the Best Pineapple Tarts in Singapore?

There are many bakeries making delicious pineapple tarts in Singapore. Here are some that you can purchase from.

1.  DING Bakery (CNY Goodies Singapore)

DING Bakery specialized in mooncakes and CNY cookies for preorder. They offer four types of pineapple tarts for the upcoming celebrations, namely award winning premium melt-in-your-mouth pineapple tarts in ball and Nyonya styles; SCS butter pineapple tarts in ball shape and mango pineapple rolls.

All of these tarts taste homemade, and you get a special discount if you order before December 25^th.  DING Bakery’s pineapple tarts have been voted the best in Singapore for 3 years consecutively. They have many other goodies too including a whole series of salted egg products.

Website: https://www.cnygoodies.sg/

Source: Ding Bakery

2.  Phoon Huat (Redman)

Phoon Huat is a chain of stores selling baking supplies in Singapore, and they have 18 branches throughout the island. If you’re planning to make some pineapple tarts at home this CNY, this is the best place to grab some supplies.

As a baking supplies store, they have a wide variety of products under the brand Redman, including flour, Gula Melaka, coconut milk, icing sugar, dark chocolate and so much more.

However, what you really want to get here is their Premium Pineapple paste filling, a versatile product that you can use immediately on your tart pastry. This will no doubt save you a lot of time and effort.

Website: https://www.phoonhuat.com/

Source: Redman by Phoon Huat

3.  Crystal Jade My Bread

Crystal Jade is a Michelin star award winning cuisine brand that runs several Chinese gourmet restaurants  and celebrated eateries including Golden Palace, Jiang Nan and La Mian Xiao Long Bao.

Crystal Jade also has a bakery brand called My Bread, and it is here that you will find their amazing Hong Kong Bo Lo bun inspired pineapple tarts. These tarts are so flaky, buttery and full of goodness that Singaporeans have been craving them without fail.

There are currently three Crystal Jade My Bread outlets in Singapore, where you’ll be able to buy these golden, round and irresistible tarts.

Website: https://www.crystaljade.com/mybread/

Source: Crystal Jade

4.  Goodwood Park Hotel

Goodwood Park Hotel has an annual surprise for everyone when it comes to pineapple tarts. Rather than making the traditional small, bite sized tarts that everyone expects, they’ve made it into a pie!

Yes, you read that right. Goodwood Park Hotel’s pineapple tart is the size of a full blown pie and is eaten much the same way. They cost about $40 a piece, and you can slice them up just like cakes to enjoy each triangle.

Should you be interested in these one of a kind tarts, make sure you check Goodwook Park’s official page so you can order as soon as it’s up on the menu. 

Website:https://www.goodwoodparkhotel.com/promotions

Source: Goodwood Park Hotel

5.  L.E. Café Confectionery & Pastry

L.E. Café’s golf ball Pineapple Tarts are their bestsellers. With three outlets in Singapore, they know exactly how to make the best to please the local palate.

In order to make a purchase, you can walk-in to any of their outlets, or give them a call at the number displayed on their website.

L.E. Café prepares tarts that are round in shape, which is why they’re called golf ball Pineapple tarts. They’re available in three different sizes and packaging, as well as in a premium gift pack together with sachets of tea.

 Website: http://www.lecafe.com.sg/

Source: L.E. Confectionery & Pastry

Treat yourself to an array of delicious pineapple tarts this coming Chinese New Year. They’re bound to bring back lots of nostalgia, and you’ll appreciate having them for yourself and your guests.