Pineapple Tarts - The Best Pineapple Tarts Recipe - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

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Pineapple tarts are a must for Chinese New Year. This is an easy and the best pineapple tarts recipe ever. Makes 30 crumbly and buttery pineapple tarts.

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The Best Pineapple Tarts Recipe

Chinese New Year is one of the biggest festivities in Malaysia.

Pineapple tarts are a must-bake for the celebration of Chinese New Year in Malaysia and Singapore.

In Taiwan, pineapple shortcakes (凤梨酥) are popular but Taiwanese pineapple tarts recipe calls for shortening and milk powder.

They taste slightly different but equally delicious.

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My absolute favorite is Malaysian pineapple tarts. They are so tasty, addictive, buttery and melt-in-the-mouth.

I have a few favorite recipes, but I always come back to this recipe that I have learned from Fresh from the Oven.

Other Chinese New Year Baking Recipes

  • Best-Ever Pineapple Cookies (Pineapple Tarts)
  • Pineapple Rolls
  • Peanut Cookies
  • Butter Cookies
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How to Make Pineapple Tarts?

This pineapple tarts recipe is easy, absolutely delicious and definitely a keeper!

The recipe yields buttery, sweet, flaky cookies with beautiful pineapple shape.

However, it takes 2-3 hours to make as everything is made from scratch.

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First, you need to make pineapple jam or pineapple tarts filling.

It will take a few hours to reduce the filling to a thick and sticky consistency.

The dough is easy to make and you can shape it into different shapes, for example: open-faced pineapple tarts with the filling on the outside.

You can also make them into pineapple rolls.

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Baking Tips

  • Use a good quality butter. I use Challenge brand unsalted butter.
  • For the best results, please use fresh pineapples as the ingredient for the pineapple jam filling.
  • Canned sliced pineapples in syrup is a good substitute and deliver satisfying results.
  • If the dough is too dry and hard to work with, please add a little bit more butter to the dough.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Pineapple Tarts?

Place them in an airtight glass or plastic containers at room temperature. You can store them in a cool place for up to 2 weeks.

Can I Freeze Them in the Refrigerator?

No, I don’t recommend freezing in the refrigerator.

You can make pineapple jam filling in advance and freeze in the refrigerator for up to a week.

When you are ready to bake, just thaw the pineapple jam to room temperature and use it as the filling.

How Many Calories per Serving?

This recipe makes 30 pineapple tarts and each tart is 149 calories.

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Pineapple Tarts

Pineapple tarts are a must for Chinese New Year. This is an easy and the best pineapple tarts recipe ever. Makes 30 crumbly and buttery pineapple tarts.

4.52 from 137 votes

Yield 30 tarts

Prep 1 hour hr

Cook 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

Pastry

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar or powdered sugar
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 egg yolk (lightly beaten for egg wash)
  • 1/2 tbsp condensed milk

Pineapple Jam (Filling)

  • 30 oz (850g) sliced pineapples
  • 10 tablespoons sugar, more or less to taste
  • 1 teaspoon cloves (optional)

Instructions

  • 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.

  • 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.

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  • 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.

  • 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 (3.5cm) long shape.

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  • 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 (2.5cm) apart from each other.

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes or until light brown.

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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.

If you run into problems with the pastry dough being too dry and very hard to work with, add more room-temperature (softened) butter into your dough and knead the dough again until it's not sticking to your hands.

Course: Baking Recipes

Cuisine: Pineapple

Keywords: Pineapple Tarts

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Pineapple Tarts

Amount Per Serving (30 tarts)

Calories 149Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 29mg10%

Sodium 22mg1%

Carbohydrates 22g7%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 13g14%

Protein 2g4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

Pineapple Tarts - The Best Pineapple Tarts Recipe - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

FAQs

Which country are pineapple tarts native to? ›

Pineapple tarts are small, bite-size pastries filled or topped with pineapple jam, originating from Indonesia, but also found in different parts of Asia. Forms of pineapple tart can be found in the Southeast Asia nations of Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.

What are pineapple tarts made of? ›

Pineapple tart
Pineapple tarts in the shape of rolls open at the ends and filled with jam
Alternative namestat nanas, kueh tae, kue nanas
Associated cuisineIndonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei
Main ingredientsPastry (butter, egg yolk, corn starch), pineapple jam
Cookbook: Pineapple tart Media: Pineapple tart
3 more rows

What is the story behind pineapple tarts? ›

History Of Pineapple Tarts

The Peranakan Nyonyas in Malaysia adopted Portuguese baking techniques when they were occupied by the Portuguese Empire in the 1500s. These techniques, coupled with the large number of pineapple plantations in Malaya soon birthed the first pineapple tarts.

How long can I keep homemade pineapple tarts? ›

Once the tarts are done baking, it is crucial to let them cool completely before storing in an air-tight container. They should be able to keep for up to three weeks without refrigeration.

Is pineapple tart a Malay or Chinese? ›

Peranakans were the first to give birth to the delightful pastry, pineapple tarts. They were the descendants of the Chinese immigrants who came to the Malay peninsula which include the Dutch Eastern Indies as well as the British Malaya.

What country eats the most pineapple? ›

Brazilians are the biggest pineapple consumers worldwide. Around 11% of the worldwide volume is consumed in this South American country.

Are pineapple tarts healthy? ›

Pineapple tarts

They are a firm festive favourite. However, these sweet, chewy treats are laden with fat, salt and sugar. Knowing that one pineapple tart is around 82 calories should stop you from eating too many in one sitting!

Who invented pineapple tart? ›

Some say the pineapple tart was created by the Peranakans, some say by the Eurasians, when the pineapple was first introduced to Asia by the Spaniards and Portuguese in the 16th and 17th centuries.

What does pineapple tart mean in Chinese? ›

These savoury and delicious tarts are called “Ong Lai” in Hokkien which means prosperity comes in direct translation. As the Chinese tradition believes that luck and prosperity is very crucial, pineapple tarts is a must-have during Chinese New Year.

Why does my pineapple tart crack? ›

This is because of the jam expanding as the tarts bake, and the pastry being unable to contain the expanded jam. The crack lines will become less conspicuous as the tarts cool.

What is a fun fact about pineapple tarts? ›

Pineapple tarts was largely attributed to the Peranakans of Malaya who were influenced by the Portugese settlers. The Portugese had a unique way of making pastries by rubbing butter into flour which was later adopted by the Peranakan Nyonyas.

How many pineapple tarts a day? ›

Pineapple Tarts

I would recommend limiting yourself to 2 pieces for snacking. If you can, choose tarts with lower sugar content. For those who bake, choose a lower sugar paste and make smaller tarts so that you can enjoy a few more pieces.

What are the different types of pineapple tarts? ›

The Shapes & Forms of Pineapple Pastries
  • Nyonya Pineapple Tart: Flower shaped, pineapple jam filling, with a lattice.
  • Flower: Flower shaped, pineapple jam filling, without a lattice.
  • Round: Golf ball shaped, pineapple jam filling inside, criss-cross or leaf patterned.
Feb 17, 2021

Do pineapple tarts expire? ›

Pineapple tarts usually last for at least two weeks. However, their shelf life can be extended depending on how you store them. Generally, pineapple tarts are best consumed right away.

Do pineapple cakes go bad? ›

The cakes are freshly made and there is no or very little preservatives in the cakes so the shelf life is only around 10 days, which is clearly marked on the package. I usually buy them right before I am leaving Taiwan so when I give them as gifts to friends they will last longer.

Are pineapple tarts Chinese? ›

Origins of Pineapple Cookies in Chinese New Year

Today, these pineapple tarts are widely enjoyed not only in Taiwan but also in other parts of Asia and even globally. They are often exchanged as gifts between family and friends during the Lunar New Year, symbolising good luck and prosperity for the year ahead.

Where did fruit tarts originated from? ›

According to legend, the tart was invented by the unmarried French sisters who ran the hotel in the 1880s, so in France, the actual name of the tart is "Tarte des Demoiselles Tatin" (the tart of two unmarried women named Tatin.)

Is pineapple Aztec or Spanish? ›

Precolonial cultivation

Archaeological evidence of use is found as far back as 1200–800 BC (3200–2800 BP) in Peru and 200 BC – 700 AD (2200–1300 BP) in Mexico, where it was cultivated by the Mayas and the Aztecs. By the late 1400s, cropped pineapple was widely distributed and a staple food of Native Americans.

Is pineapple tart traditional food? ›

The History Of The Malaysian Pineapple Tart

It is traditionally a Nyonya delicacy. The tart finds its origins far back in the 1500s when the Portuguese Empire conquered the Malay Peninsula, notably Malacca during their 130-year colonisation period.

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