History
Taiwan was the third-largest exporter of pineapples in the world by the late 1930s, and pineapple cakes, once ceremonial food, became one of the top-selling souvenirs in Taiwan. The Hokkien word for pineapple sounds like a phrase for prosperity, so the cakes are given as engagement or well-wishing gifts. The Taipei City Government ran an annual Pineapple Cake Cultural Festival from 2005 for several years. Chia Te Bakery in Songshan, established in 1975, says its cranberry pineapple cake was named one of Taipei's top ten souvenirs by the city's commerce department.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Egg, Milk
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 200g unsalted butter, softened
- 60g caster sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 300g plain flour
- 30g milk powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Filling: 200g pineapple jam (or 150g pineapple jam plus 50g winter-melon jam for the traditional ratio)
- Egg wash: 1 egg yolk plus 1 teaspoon water
Method
- Beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, 3 minutes.
- Beat in egg yolk. Sift in flour, milk powder and salt; mix to a smooth dough.
- Divide dough into 16 pieces (about 20g each). Divide filling into 16 pieces (about 12g each).
- Flatten each dough piece, place filling in the centre, gather edges and pinch closed.
- Press each ball into a small rectangular mould or oblong shape (3cm by 4cm).
- Brush with egg wash. Bake at 170C for 18 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown on both sides.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
Tip from the editors. The Chia Te ratio is more pineapple, the SunnyHills ratio is 100 percent pineapple. Winter melon is the traditional filler; it cuts the pineapple's acidity.
Where to eat pineapple cake
Pineapple cake in Taipei
Chia Te Bakery ★ 4.7
Chia Te Bakery was established in 1975, and its cranberry pineapple cake was named one of Taipei's top ten souvenirs by the Commerce Department.
Worth the queueCranberry pineapple cake
TipHome delivery is free on a single order of NT$6000 or more, and the store is open from 8:30AM to 8:30PM.
SunnyHills on the Park ★ 4.6
SunnyHills on the Park is at 1F, No. 1, Alley 4, Lane 36, Section 5, Minsheng East Road, Songshan District, Taipei City 105, open 10:00 to 18:00.
TipOpen from 10:00 to 18:00 at the Minsheng East Road shop in Songshan District.
More places near Chia Te Bakery and SunnyHills on the Park
Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.
- Cozy Quail Cafe Cafes, about 850 m away
- Simple Kaffa Sola Café, about 2.4 km away
- Oasis Coffee Roasters Café, about 2.4 km away
- Fika Fika Cafe Café, about 2.5 km away
- Wu Pao Chun Taipei Bakery, about 2.6 km away
- Nozomi Bakery Bakery, about 2.7 km away
More cities are in research. Want pineapple cake covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.