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Chinese Chews Recipe

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Chinese Chews are a nostalgic vintage dessert featuring a delightful combination of chopped dates and walnuts wrapped in a sweet, tender batter. These bite-sized, log-shaped treats are rolled in powdered sugar, offering a soft, chewy texture with a perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness. Perfect for dessert or an afternoon snack, they bring a charming homemade quality to any table.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Add-ins

  • 1 cup chopped dates
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, for rolling

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch metal baking dish thoroughly to ensure the chews do not stick.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt to combine and aerate the mixture.
  3. Add Dates and Walnuts: Stir in the chopped dates and walnuts evenly into the dry mixture, making sure they are well distributed.
  4. Incorporate Eggs: Add the eggs to the mixture and stir thoroughly until the batter is uniform and no dry spots remain, creating a sticky but manageable batter.
  5. Bake: Transfer the batter into the prepared baking dish and place it in the oven. Bake for 24 to 28 minutes, watching carefully to avoid overbaking, as too dry a texture will prevent rolling later.
  6. Cool Slightly and Slice: Remove the baked slab from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes. Then slice the slab into small rectangular pieces ready for shaping.
  7. Roll into Logs and Coat: Using your hands, compress each rectangle into a log shape by rolling between your palms. Roll each log in powdered sugar to coat thoroughly.
  8. Final Cooling and Storage: Let the powdered sugar-coated chews cool completely to set. Store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness and softness for serving later.

Notes

  • Do not overbake; the chews should be moist enough to roll easily without cracking.
  • Ensure chopped dates and walnuts are evenly distributed to get consistent flavor and texture.
  • Roll logs gently to keep their shape without crumbling.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • For a nut-free version, substitute walnuts with sunflower seeds or omit entirely.

Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/chinese-chews-recipe/