Here’s a recipe for Pineapple Tarts, a delightful treat for Chinese New Year:

Ingredients:

Filling:

• 350g pineapple, finely chopped
• 30g white sugar
• 30g palm sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cloves
• 1 star anise

Crust:

• 120g butter
• 20g icing sugar
• 200g plain flour
• 12g custard powder
• 1g salt
• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pineapple Filling:
   • In a saucepan, combine finely chopped pineapple, white sugar, palm sugar, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise.
   • Cook the mixture over low to medium heat, stirring frequently until the pineapple is caramelized and the mixture thickens. This may take about 30-40 minutes. Remove the whole spices.
   • Allow the pineapple filling to cool completely.
2. Prepare the Tart Crust:
   • In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy.
   • Add the egg and mix until well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
   • In a separate bowl, sift together plain flour, custard powder, and salt.
4. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   • Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. Chill the Dough:
   • Shape the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
6. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Form Tart Shapes:
   • Take small portions of the chilled dough and shape them into small rounds. You can use your hands or a tart mold for uniform shapes.
8. Make an Indentation:
   • Using your thumb or a tool, make an indentation in the center of each tart round to hold the pineapple filling.
9. Fill with Pineapple Filling:
   • Spoon a small amount of the cooled pineapple filling into the indentation of each tart.
10. Bake:
    • Place the filled tarts on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
11. Cool:
    • Allow the pineapple tarts to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Store:
    • Once completely cooled, store the pineapple tarts in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature.
13. Serve and Enjoy:
    • These Pineapple Tarts are ready to be enjoyed during Chinese New Year celebrations! They have a delicious combination of buttery crust and sweet pineapple filling.

Enjoy making and sharing these festive treats!