Learn how to make the delicious traditional Chinese dessert, Wife Cake, with this easy recipe. Perfect for impressing guests or satisfying your sweet tooth!

If you're looking for a delicious treat to impress your family and friends, then you can't go wrong with this amazing Wife Cake Recipe. Perfectly crispy on the outside and sweet, chewy and sticky on the inside, this traditional Chinese pastry is a true crowd-pleaser. But don't be intimidated by its exotic name or appearance, as making these cakes is actually quite easy, thanks to our step-by-step instructions and helpful tips. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, you'll love how simple and fun it is to create these little wonders. So grab your apron and get ready to discover the secrets of this authentic Chinese delicacy!

Introduction

Wife cake, also known as sweetheart cake or spouse cake, is a traditional Cantonese pastry that originated in southern China. It has a flaky crust filled with a sweet and nutty filling made of winter melon, almond paste, and sesame seeds. It is a popular snack throughout Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong province. Making wife cake may seem daunting, but it is surprisingly easy to make at home. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious wife cake.

Ingredients

For the Pastry:

260g of all-purpose flour
60g of lard or shortening
90ml of water

For the Filling:

350g of winter melon, peeled and grated
100g of sugar
60g of almond powder or paste
40g of sesame seeds, roasted and ground
1/4 tsp of five-spice powder (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Pastry Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and lard or shortening. Use your hands to mix until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Add the water and knead until the dough comes together. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Filling

In a large saucepan, combine the grated winter melon and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes thick and sticky. Add the almond powder or paste, sesame seeds, and five-spice powder (if using). Mix well and let the filling cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Assemble the Wife Cakes

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Divide the pastry dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball. Flatten the ball with your palm and use a rolling pin to roll it into a thin circle. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of the circle. Pinch the edges of the dough together to seal the filling inside. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.

Step 4: Bake the Wife Cakes

Place the wife cakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown. Let the wife cakes cool on a wire rack before serving.

Conclusion

Wife cake is a delicious pastry that can be enjoyed as a snack or dessert. Making it at home is a fun and rewarding experience. With this recipe and our step-by-step guide, you can easily make your own wife cakes that are just as good as the ones you can buy in Chinatown. Give it a try and impress your friends and family with your baking skills!

How to Make Wife Cake: An Easy Recipe

If you’re looking for a sweet and delicious treat to satisfy your cravings, wife cake is the way to go. This traditional Chinese pastry is made of a flaky crust that’s filled with a sweet and rich filling made of red bean paste. It’s a perfect snack for any time of day, and it’s also easy to make at home. Follow these simple steps to whip up a batch of wife cakes in no time.

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cake flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
1/4 cup cold water
1 cup sweetened red bean paste
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Before you start making the dough, preheat your oven to 350°F. Let it warm up while you prepare the dough.

Step 2: Make the dough

In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cake flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add in the cold butter and mix until the mixture becomes crumbly. Pour in cold water and knead the dough until it’s smooth and well-combined. Be careful not to over-knead the dough, as this can make it tough.

Step 3: Let the dough rest

Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This will help the dough become more pliable and easier to work with.

Step 4: Make the filling

In a separate bowl, mix together the sweetened red bean paste, softened butter, and sugar until it’s well-combined. This will be the filling for your wife cakes.

Step 5: Roll out the dough

After the dough has rested for 30 minutes, take it out of the refrigerator and roll it out into thin circles, about 6 inches in diameter. You can use a rolling pin or your hands to flatten the dough.

Step 6: Assemble the cake

Spoon the filling onto the center of the dough, leaving some space around the edges. Fold the dough in half and seal the edges firmly. Make sure there are no gaps in the dough, or the filling will leak out during baking.

Step 7: Brush with egg wash

Beat an egg and use a brush to apply a thin layer onto the top of the cakes. This will give them a shiny and golden brown finish.

Step 8: Score the top

Use a sharp knife or a fork to score a few lines on the top of the cake. This will allow steam to escape during baking and prevent the cakes from cracking.

Step 9: Bake the cake

Put the cakes onto a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until they’re golden brown. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time to make sure they don’t overcook or burn.

Step 10: Serve and enjoy

Once the cakes have cooled down, slice them up and serve. You can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

With these easy instructions, you can make your own wife cakes at home in no time. Enjoy this sweet and flaky pastry with family and friends for a delicious treat that’s sure to please.

Once upon a time, there was a woman who had a secret recipe for a delicious dessert known as 'Wife Cake'. This recipe had been passed down to her from her grandmother and had been cherished by her family for generations.

One day, the woman decided to share her recipe with the world. She believed that everyone deserved to taste the sweet and savory flavors of her famous Wife Cake.

Instructions

To make this delectable dessert, follow these simple steps:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Cut in 3/4 cup of unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add 1 egg yolk and 1/4 cup of water, then mix until a dough forms.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it is about 1/4 inch thick.
Cut the dough into circles using a cookie cutter or a glass.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of mashed red bean paste, 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts, and 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds.
Place a spoonful of the filling onto each circle of dough.
Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges together to seal.
Place the cakes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.

Voice and Tone

The instructions for making Wife Cake should be written in a friendly and informative tone. The writer should assume that the reader has no prior experience with baking, and should use clear and concise language to explain each step of the process. It is important to convey enthusiasm and excitement about the recipe, as this will inspire the reader to try it out for themselves.

The writer should also use a positive and encouraging tone when discussing the taste of the cake. They should emphasize the unique flavor profile of the red bean paste, walnuts, and sesame seeds, and reassure the reader that the combination of sweet and savory ingredients creates a truly delicious dessert.

In conclusion, the Wife Cake recipe is a treasured family tradition that is now available for everyone to enjoy. By following the instructions and using a friendly and informative tone, anyone can make this delicious dessert and share it with their loved ones.

Hello, and thank you for visiting our blog today! We hope that you have found our recipe for Wife Cake to be informative and helpful. As promised, we have provided step-by-step instructions on how to make this delicious traditional Chinese pastry.

To begin, you will need to gather all of the necessary ingredients. Make sure that you have flour, sugar, oil, water, and sweetened winter melon on hand. Once you have everything you need, you can follow the recipe instructions carefully, making sure to mix and knead the dough properly to achieve the perfect texture.

As you bake your Wife Cakes, remember to be patient and take your time. The result will be well worth the effort, and you will have a tasty treat to share with your family and friends. We hope that you enjoy making this recipe as much as we have enjoyed sharing it with you.

Thank you again for visiting our blog, and we hope that you will come back soon for more great recipes and cooking tips. Happy baking!

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People Also Ask About Wife Cake Recipe:

What are the ingredients needed for making wife cake?

The ingredients needed for making wife cake are:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
⅓ cup sugar
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup candied winter melon, chopped
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

How do you make the pastry dough for wife cake?

To make the pastry dough for wife cake, follow these instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add in egg yolk and mix well.
Sift in flour and baking powder, then knead into a smooth dough.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

How do you prepare the filling for wife cake?

To prepare the filling for wife cake, follow these instructions:

In a small saucepan, cook chopped candied winter melon over low heat until it becomes soft and translucent, for about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and let it cool down completely.

How do you assemble and bake wife cake?

To assemble and bake wife cake, follow these instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
Divide the pastry dough into 12 equal portions.
Roll each portion into a thin circle.
Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each circle, then fold the dough over and seal the edges.
Flatten the filled dough balls slightly and place them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of each cake.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden brown.

Can you freeze wife cake?

Yes, you can freeze wife cake. After baking, let the cakes cool down completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw them at room temperature for a few hours, then bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-10 minutes until heated through.