What Is It?
Sweet pineapple jam rolled in soft buttery milky cookie. That’s what it is.
There’s no specific occasions for these cookies to be eaten, they’re perfect all year around. Making them does take a few steps especially if you’re making your own pineapple jam (which I think you should as the flavor is wonderful) and rolling them is quite challenging for those who are not accustomed to the method.
In this recipe I’m using the traditional method before the piping tools were widely used. Regardless, all the effort will be worth it once you take a bite into these lil gems.
The Pineapple Jam
The pineapple jam is usually homemade because for these cookies, the jam needs to be of a thicker consistency. Way much thicker than the normal store-bought jam in jars. One good thing about making your own jam is you can control the sweetness level according to your liking.
First let's talk about the pineapples. The pineapples that are used to make the jam should not be the ripe ones. Why? Because ripe pineapples contain lots of juice or liquid and we don’t want that. The perfect pineapples for this jam are the ones between green and ripe. Just in the middle.
Back then when my mother used to make pineapple tart cookies to sell, she grated all the pineapples to make the jam. Well actually she asked me and my sisters to grate them for her. So she would go to the market early in the morning and buy (for me back then seemed like thousands) some pineapples and when we woke up the first chore of the day was grating the pineapples.
Now I just take the easier way, by using my blender. I don’t blend them like there’s no tomorrow either. Just a few pulses, we don’t want to turn them into puree.
Some people add some orange food colouring, orange juice, cinnamon stick and even cloves in the jam. I’m not used to that taste in our pineapple tart cookies so I never put any of those.
I cooked the blended pineapple for quite a while. The more liquid your pineapples have, the more cooking time would be involved. When the mixture starts to thicken, that’s when you really need to pay attention to it and stir frequently. This is to avoid it getting burnt, for all the sugar content.
The jam needs to be fully cooled before using. In my family we roll the whole batch of jam into small logs first before we start making the cookies. This way it would be easier and faster when it comes to the rolling the cookies part. I also like to keep my logs shaped jam in the fridge so that they get firm. This also will help when we roll the cookies.
The Cookies
There are so many different varieties of recipes for the cookies. Same goes to rolling them. Some don’t even roll the cookies, instead they form the dough into balls. So it’s really your choice. As for me, this is the way we’ve always did it in my family.
And what I meant by that is, this is the traditional way of doing it. I know there are new modern pineapple tart cookie dough pressers that makes it faster to deal with the dough. For me, doing it the traditional way, my family’s way, just brings back all those wonderful memories. So if you do have one of those pressers in your possession, use it.
The dough is quite soft. But don’t worry, all is fine. Use good quality butter. Even if you have to spend a bit more, I promise you it’s all worth it. I like to work with a bit of dough at a time so that it doesn’t get dry if I’m taking too long to finish.
The method that I showed in the video is exactly how we made them. You might feel intimidated a bit at first but when you start going and get the hang of it, it’s going to be a breeze. Or again, you can always use the cookies presser for pineapple tart cookies.
I remember back then when me and my sisters rolled like thousands of pineapple tart cookies, at one point until our clothes smelt like pineapple tart cookies. Don’t ask me how, but that happened. Sometimes we would cheat by rolling the cookies bigger and bigger so that we could finish faster. Of course our mother realised and of course, we were "told" not to do it again.
If you have tried one of these cookies, you would know how amazing they are. If you have not, do try. I promise you will not regret it.
More Malaysian Cookies
- Almond London cookies
- Milky Arab cookies (Biskut Arab susu)
- Cashew nut cookies (Biskut gajus)
- Coconut cookies (Biskut kelapa bulan sabit)
- Cornflake cookies
Video
Pineapple Tart Cookies
Ingredients
- 2.2 lb pineapple chunks (1 kg), not too ripe, peel and remove the core
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 gr)
- 1 ⅔ cup all purpose flour (210 gr)
- ¼ cup instant custard flour mix or powder (30 gr)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (120 gr), room temperature
- 3 tablespoon icing sugar (25 gr)
- 2 tablespoon powdered milk
- 1 large egg yolk , room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
The pineapple jam
- Using a blender, put in pineapple chunks and blend for just 3-4 seconds so that we won't end up with such a fine paste. Work with a few chunks at a time.
- Pour the blended pineapple into a pot. Add in sugar and cook on medium heat for 30 minutes until the liquid evaporates. Stir now and then. When the jam gets thicker, stir frequently to avoid it getting burnt. Leave to cool completely.
- Once cooled, make more or less 1 inch thumb sized logs and place them on a plate. Cover with cling film to prevent them getting dry. Keep in the fridge until ready to use. Preparing them in advance is going to make it easier when we're rolling the cookies later.
The cookies
- In a bowl sift together flour, custard powder and set aside.
- In another bowl, add in butter, icing sugar and mix just until well combined. Add in powdered milk and mix. Add in egg yolk, vanilla extract and mix again just until well combined. Lower the speed and add in the flour bit by bit, mixing just until well combined each time. Form into a ball, cover with cling film to prevent it from getting dry when not using.
- Generously flour on the work surface. Work with ⅓ dough at a time. Form into a disk, flour the rolling pin as the dough is a bit soft and sticky. Roll into 5 mm thickness.Note: If the dough is too soft, place it in the fridge for 5 minutes. Not too long as it gets harder it will break when we roll it later
- If you're using the dough presser, put some dough in it and start pressing as per your presser's instructions. I'm doing it the old method. Flour the line rolling pin and gently roll it on the dough, making lines on it. Cut into 2.5x1 inch stripes. Carefully take one stripe and flip it on a rigid yet flexible plastic. Place one jam log at one end and start rolling it with the dough. Cut excess dough if any.See the video better understanding.
- Place them on a baking tray with baking sheet. Gently brush with egg yolk. Bake at 175ºC (345ºF) preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until bottom edges are golden brown and they're fully cooked. Cool completely on a rack.
Notes
- Ripe or overripe pineapples contain lots of liquid, that's why we don't want to use those as it will take longer to make the jam thick.
- You kind of need to work a bit fast with the dough as it tends to get dry sitting around for a long time (even covered with cling film).
- Using a dough presser would be a less hassle if you're not used to this method.
Taryn says
Where do you find the rolling pin like that??
Bea says
My sister, from Malaysia, sent it to me. It's quite difficult to get, I know. I've used a fork (pressed it against the dough) to make the lines and it worked. Extra effort though.
Ludwina says
Just made it today I love it soo much the cookies are perfect, tried it with pineapple tart mold and it turns so beautifull and taste soooo goood. Thanks for sharing this recipe Bea.
Sue says
Hi. Can I used this dough recipe to made the ones with the jam filling on top? Or will it be too soft to hold shape after it’s baked?
Bea says
Hi! I haven't try it but I'm thinking maybe it'll be too soft. Hope it helps!
Sim says
Hi, I make this, so yummy !😋 But I having problem on storing this pineapple tarts, I store them in an airtight container but they turn mouldy after two days, what should I do to prevent it become mouldy?
Eileen says
Hi Bea, I have tried your recipe & turn out very nice. I'm going to make again for next CNY. May I know are u using the Full Cream powdered milk which have stronger flavour? If I want to use Skimmed power milk, will there any difference?
Bea says
Hi! I've used skimmed one and there's no problem with it. Hope it helps!
Dhana says
Hi I followed your written recipe and missed to add granulated sugar 🥺... kindly add that step to you recipe plz for future readers
Bea says
Hi Dhana! Maybe you missed the granulated sugar in the recipe card. It's under pineapple. Hope I've cleared things 🙂
Ollemadthee Kunasagaran says
What can I use to replace the milk powder?
Bea says
I suggest you don't replace it or skip it. Milk powder makes the cookies tender and helps with the flavor.
Santhi Kadiresan says
Hi,
Can I use this recipe to make the open style tarts instead . Will the crust hold up . Let me know . Thanks
Bea says
Hi Santhi, I haven't tried it so I can't say for sure but it is a pretty soft cookie. Let me know if you try it how it works out.
Shannon says
Hi, I have make this pineapple tarts, so yummy! But I having a problem on storing this pineapple tarts, I store them in an airtight container but it turns mouldy after two days, may I know how should I store them? 🙂
Bea says
Hi Shannon, that's weird because I had them in an air tight container at room temperature for more than a week (before we finished them) and they were totally fine. I would suggest you try putting them in the fridge. Hope it helps.
Eileen says
Hi Bea, I I want to make 4x the recipe, can prepare the dough at once? While doing with the mould, do I have to put the rest of the dough in the fridge to prevent the dough turn dry?
Mk says
What if I want them to be eggless
Ade Yuni says
Hi Bea, I like all your recipes. May I replace custard flour with maizena flour?
patricia gimay says
Wow,these look amazing. Thanking you Bea. XXX
Bea says
Thanks Patricia, hope you'll try them!
Janet says
Hello Bea. The tart nenas is just delicious. I will be making it again for Chinese New Year, thank you so much!
Bea says
For me they are just addictive 😀 Thank you so much Janet!