peach blossom crisp recipe

How to Make Peach Blossom Cakes: A Step-by-Step Guide

Peach blossom cakes, or taohuasuan, are delicate Chinese pastries loved for their vibrant pink "petals" and sweet red bean filling. Here’s a simple guide to making them at home.

Ingredients: For the dough, you’ll need 150g all-purpose flour, 50g powdered sugar, 60g warm milk, 30g vegetable oil, and a pinch of salt. For the filling, use 200g sweet red bean paste. Pink food coloring is optional for the petals.

Steps:

1. Make the dough: Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Warm milk with oil, then pour into the dry ingredients. Knead into a smooth dough, rest for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the filling: Divide red bean paste into 10 small balls.

3. Shape the cakes: Roll the dough into 10 equal balls. Flatten one, wrap a filling ball, and seal tightly. Roll into a 5cm circle.

4. Create petals: Use a knife to cut 4-5 slants around the edge, leaving the center uncut. Gently pull each "petal" outward and slightly upward. Brush with pink dye if desired.

5. Bake: Preheat oven to 180°C. Place cakes on a baking sheet, bake for 15-18 minutes until golden.

Tips: For flaky layers, add 10g lard to the dough. Enjoy these fragrant, beautiful treats with tea!