Alternative CNY Snacks to Serve Your Guests

Are you tired of having the same snacks during Chinese New Year every year? Pineapple tarts, love letters and melon seeds? Here is a list of alternative snacks you can get including CNY-themed artisan cupcakes and bite-sized Nian Gao tarts! Stand out from everyone else when you serve these delicious alternatives to your guests.

1. Jade Restaurant’s Yam Paste Nian Gao Tarts

Even if you are not the biggest fan of traditional glutinous rice cakes, you will fall head over heels for Jade’s unique reinvention of this classic Chinese New Year necessity. This year, Master Chef Leong takes a spin on the Nian Gao and invents a bite-sized treat that is baked to perfection under his watchful eye. Each tart is filled with yam, Gula Melaka (palm sugar) and of course, some fragrant Nian Gao. These ingredients are complemented by a buttery crust and are best savoured in just one bite as you get to taste all the flavours at once. Yam Paste Nian Gao Tarts available at $28+ per box of 8 pieces. For enquiries or orders, please call The Fullerton Cake Boutique at (65) 6877 8943 or email fullertonshop@fullertonhotel.com

2. Antoinette’s Assorted CNY Goodies

Tired of having the same snacks at every house visit? Love letters, pineapple tarts, bak kwa are all a common sight. Instead of conforming to tradition, try Antoinette’s delicious Chocolate Love Letters. This crowd favourite is a crunchy chocolate-y snack made from Valrhona caraibe 66% dark chocolate dusted with gold prosperity dust for a finishing touch. Also try their Pork Floss Meringue and Mandarina Macarons, which are modern renditions of classic Chinese New Year snacks. Chocolate Love Letters are priced at $21.40 per box. Pork Floss Meringues are priced at $10.70 per box. Mandarina Macarons are priced at $2.70 each or $16.05 for a box of 6. All of the above-mentioned are available to order now at any Antoinette outlet islandwide, for enquiries, you may contact specific stores.

3. Al’Frank’s CNY-Themed Cookies

Put aside your pineapple tarts and mandarin oranges and dive into Al’Frank’s homemade CNY-themed cookies. The two flavours that Chef Frank has specially created for this occasion are Oatmeal Almond Pineapple Cookie and Oatmeal Double Belgium Mandarin Orange Choco Cookie. The former is a fusion of pineapple tarts and oatmeal almond cookie and the cookies are all freshly made with real pineapples. The latter is a festive spin on Al’Frank’s bestelling Double Belgium Choco Cookies with an added hint of Mandarin Orange. Al’Frank cookies are a perfect bite sized shape, perfect for snacking before and after meals during Chinese New Year! Oatmeal Almond Pineapple Cookies are priced at $9.50/100g. Oatmeal Double Belgium Mandarin Orange Choco Cookies are priced at $9/100g Cookies are available to purchase in store at Al’Frank Cookies.

4. Artisan Cupcakes from Gourmet Carousel

Famed for their intricately-designed artisan cupcakes, Gourmet Carousel invents two special CNY-themed cupcakes – Longan & Wolfberries and Pistachio Chocolate. One is shaped as a sheep, apt for this year and the other is shaped as a traditional Chinese qipao. Cupcakes here definitely taste as good as they look. Cupcakes are priced at $6/pc. Mini version go for $39/12pcs. Cupcakes are available to order from Gourmet Carousel at Royal Plaza on Scotts. For enquires, contact (65) 6589 7788 or email gourmet@royalplaza.com.sg. Advance orders of three days are required.

5. Peony Jade’s "Triumphant Harvest & Joyous Contentment"

Peony Jade’s famous peony-shaped lotus pastries taste as good as they look. Intricately prepared by the pastry chefs, each peony is filled with low sugar white lotus paste, salted egg yolk and macadamia nuts. This is perfect as a gift or to just to gobble up on your own. "Triumphant Harvest & Joyous Contentment" is priced at $78.88 for a box of 8 pieces. Available for takeaway or dine-in at all Peony Jade outlets, CNY fares at Ngee Ann City and Vivo City. For enquires, contact (65 6276 9138 or (65) 6338 0305.

6. Out of the Cake Box’s Cereal Prawn Cookie

A staple at Zhi Char stores is the popular Cereal Prawn – deep fried prawn coupled with a huge serving of cereal. Now, you can have it in a cookie form with Out of the Cake Box’s Cereal Prawn Cookies. Made with dried baby shrimps, curry leaves and chilli padi, this cookie is bite-sized but packs a punch. Be warned that this cookie is highly addictive due to its strong flavour and crunchy texture. For enquiries or orders, contact info@outofthecakebox.com or call (65) 6271 1975. Image: Out of the Cake Box’s Facebook page See Also: Have a sweet tooth? Check out these treats! Artisanal bakes that make good CNY goodies

Written by Cheryl Chong