Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Finally... pineapple tarts

Yes, you can say that, I won't blame you. "Finally! That pineapple tart she's been talking about for the past 2 weeks!" Excuse : My motherly duties and other commitments had push this bake back till this very last weekend before CNY. But you know I am worried, since on readers have been telling me they are looking forward to this post ... because I probably will let them down. ;P Well, it's not like I am making the pineapple filling from scratch which I can rave about, nor I have this super great secret recipe which which I'm gonna reveal. It's just me...me wanting so bad to bake these cookies since a month back. Furthermore I am just using the usual store bought fillings from the supermarket. And to think I am also experimenting on a new pastry recipe! But honestly speaking, it just doesn't feel right not having pineapple tarts during CNY...and for me, I have to bake them! It was still hard work, and so far I have already baked about 7 tubs of it...but I am still loving it! I was delighted when I found out that the packet of pineapple filling I bought has the right amount of sweetness...in fact it even has a tang to it! ;) It's great because the previous year's was kind of on the sweet side and the elder group were not keen on my tarts. :P They will say "Ai ya, so sweet!" However this time....they go "Hmmm...not bad." That's a big improvement! :)
I have made them relatively small enough to just conveniently pop one right into the mouth. Then slowly melting down the pastry and mixing the sweet and tangy flavors of the pineapple into it...a wonderful and delicious treat that you just can't stop with one. ;)

Ingredients for Pineapple tart pastry:
280g plain flour
60g corn flour

1/2 tsp baking powder
3 to 4 tbsp confectioner's sugar
1/2 salt 200g quality cold butter, cut into small cubes
1 egg yolk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3 to 4 tbsp ice water

Method:
  • Sift flour, cornflour, confectioner's sugar, salt and baking powder into a large mixing bowl.
  • Add cubed cold butter and use finger tips to knead the butter in till the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
  • Mix the egg yolk with the vanilla extract, then add the ice water in. Add it to the flour & butter mixture. Stir and slowly stir mixture till it forms a soft dough. If dough is too dry and cannot form a dough, add another 1 tbsp ice water.
  • At this point you can choose to chill the dough to be use next time or you can start wrapping the pineapple filling. Shape / decorate as desired.
I am trying to shape my cookie to look like a pineapple if you haven't noticed. :}It sure took a lot of time to individually handle and shape the cookie ...but I am pretty happy with the look. Well at least my 2 little girls are able to tell me what it looks like. :D
Anyway, I still have another last batch to bake tomorrow and I'll be done...will probably try to bake another cake & cookie before I close shop to enjoy CNY. :) Have been seeing some really good butter cookies which I am really eager to try out...hopefully soon!! BTW, can you all believe it took me 2 days of 4 separate sessions (1 hr or 30 mins) to complete this post! Okay, enough jabbering...time to get some Zzzzz. Have a good day all!!

14 comments:

  1. Yummy, HBS! Homemade pineapple tarts are the best! Your pineapple tarts looked truly like pineapple. Needs no introduction ya? ;)

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  2. Thanks Jane! Indeed, homemade is the best. I wish I have more time to bake more CNY cookies though. Hopefully, these 2 days, fingers crossed!

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  3. Yay..your pineapple tart is so cute and lovely. You really have the patience to roll it so nicely :) I'd like to try your pastry resipe next time.

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  4. Hi Mysweetkitchen,
    Hahaha, I try my best to make it look like a pineapple...glad you like it. Do try the pastry recipe, it's flaky and melt in your mouth. :)Why next time? You already baked yours or no time to bake? Anyway, let me know how yours turn out yah?

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  5. Hi Bee,
    I like the shape of your pineapple cookies. It's pretty! You baked 7 tubes? wow! that's a lot :)

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  6. Thanks Grace! I am actually planning to bake another 2 tubs tomorrow. And maybe another butter cookie...abit rush but hopefully can. :) Happy New year Grace!

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  7. Hi Cookie,
    So sorry, I accidentally pressed reject instead of publish on your comment! Thanks for your compliment! Yes, do try out the this recipe when you got the chance.

    If possible, can you repost your comment? So I can link to your blog. Thanks and sorry for the inconvenience!

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  8. No worries, I make the same mistake often too!

    I must commend your love & efforts in shaping these REAL pineapples!

    I am almost thru with my pineapple tarts this year... so I will try out your recipe next year!

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  9. Hi Bee,
    Sure you can! I know you can do it. JIA YOU!! Happy Chinese New Year!

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  10. Thanks Cookie. I always like to visit the blogs of my visitors. So thank you for commenting again. :)

    Thanks Grace! I did the butter cookie today. Will post it up when I get the time...before CNY that is. :P

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  11. Wonderful! The tarts looked truly like pineapples..:) I also just finished baking the last batch of it. This weekend still hv to steam a cake and some roast pork before i'm off to enjoy CNY..;p Happy Chinese New Year...恭喜发财!!

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  12. Hi may I know which brand of pineapple paste you are using?

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  13. Thanks Reese!
    Wah, you still need to steam cake? You mean Huat Gho? This year because we are not eating at home (only NY eve) most of the time, my MIL has asked me not to roast the pork. Good also, because I still want to bake a cake next week and some cookies for my girl's school. 我也祝你龙马精神, 大富大贵!

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  14. Hi Anonymous,
    Please kindly leave a name for me to better address you. I will let you know the name of the filling, thanks.

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