In China, many people will make various pastries during the Spring Festival. The following equipment can be used together to not only easily prepare traditional Spring Festival food, but also to make innovative snacks that combine Chinese and Western elements, adding more deliciousness and creativity to the festival!

1. Oven

Function: Baking, roasting, broiling, and low-temperature slow cooking.

Food You Can Make:

• Pastries:

  • Crispy Cookies: Mix flour, sugar, and lard to bake classic crispy cookies for the Lunar New Year.
  • Almond Crisp: Add almond slices for a crunchy texture and a symbolic meaning of "family unity."

• Cakes:

  • Red Date Cake: Incorporate red date pieces into the batter for a sweet and festive cake.
  • Steamed Rice Cake: Bake a low-sugar rice cake to symbolize "rising step by step."

• Pies:

  • Fruit Pie: Use seasonal fruits like apples, oranges, and pears for a sweet and crispy dessert.
  • Savory Chicken Pie: Filled with chicken and vegetables, perfect for festive family gatherings.

• Roasted Nuts:

  • Roast walnuts, almonds, and peanuts with honey or salt at low temperatures for a fragrant holiday snack.

2. Dough Mixer

Function: Kneading dough and whipping cream or eggs.

Food You Can Make:

• Traditional Chinese Pastries:

  • Scallion Rolls: Knead the dough with scallions and oil, then steam or bake for a fragrant result.
  • Steamed Buns: Create soft and fluffy buns with perfectly mixed and fermented dough.

• Western Breads:

  • Cheese Bread: Add cheese to the dough for a soft and flavorful New Year bread.
  • Red Bean Buns: Combine fermented dough with red bean paste, symbolizing a sweet year ahead.

• Dumpling Wrappers:

  • Prepare smooth dough for dumpling wrappers, perfect for making traditional dumplings for New Year's Eve.

3. Egg Beater

Function: Whipping egg whites, cream, or batter.

Food You Can Make:

• Cakes:

  • Chiffon Cake: Whip egg whites to stiff peaks for a light and airy texture.
  • Sponge Cake: Create soft and fluffy cakes for festive desserts.

• Egg Tarts:

  • Mix egg yolks with milk and cream using an egg beater, then bake in tart shells for a rich treat.

4. Slow Cooker/Proofing Box

Function: Low-temperature fermentation and slow cooking.

Food You Can Make:

• Fermented Pastries:

  • Brown Sugar Rice Cake: Ferment in a proofing box, then bake for a soft and aromatic dessert.
  • Red Bean Pastries: Use fermented dough with red bean filling, perfect for the Lunar New Year.

• Dessert Sauces:

  • Red Bean Paste: Cook red beans in a slow cooker until they become a thick paste for fillings.

5. Whipping Cream Dispenser

Function: Decorating with whipped cream or making foam-based desserts.

Food You Can Make:

• Cream-Decorated Cakes:
  • Use the dispenser to decorate cakes with New Year themes such as lanterns, Chinese characters, or firecrackers.
• Creamy Beverages:
  • Add whipped cream to tea or coffee for a festive tea-time treat.

6. Cake Molds and Cookie Cutters

Function: Shaping desserts and cookies.

Food You Can Make:

• Themed Cookies:
  • Use lantern, Chinese character, or firecracker-shaped cutters to make creative cookies as holiday gifts.
• Shaped Cakes:
  • Make zodiac-themed cakes, such as rabbit-shaped cakes for the Year of the Rabbit, to add festive fun.

7. Electric Griddle

Function: Grilling or pan-frying small snacks.

Food You Can Make:

• Pan-Fried Rice Cake:
  • Fry rice cakes until golden and crispy outside but soft inside.
• Spring Rolls:
  • Pan-fry instead of deep-frying for a healthier version of spring rolls.

Using these baking tools, you can easily create traditional New Year dishes and innovative treats, adding more flavor and creativity to your celebrations!