Taiwan Pineapple Cake, known as "fengli su" in Chinese, is one of Taiwan's most famous pastries. It is a popular souvenir and snack. The name "pineapple" in Taiwanese Hokkien sounds like "prosperity arrives," making it a symbol of good luck and fortune. The modern version was created about 100 years ago in Taichung by a pastry chef who adapted the traditional large ceremonial pineapple pastry into small, bite-sized cakes.

Preparation Steps

1. Preparing the Filling: Fresh pineapples are cooked with sugar and maltose until thick and jam-like. Sometimes winter melon is added to balance the tartness.

2. Making the Pastry: Butter, flour, powdered sugar, egg yolks, and milk powder are mixed into a crumbly, buttery dough.

3. Filling and Shaping: The dough is wrapped around the filling and pressed into rectangular molds.

4. Baking: The cakes are baked until golden brown.

5. Resting: The cakes are left to rest for a day so the flavors can blend.

Review and Appreciation

Pineapple Cake is loved for its crumbly, buttery crust and sweet, tangy, and chewy filling. It is a perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it a beloved gift and a taste of Taiwanese culture.