Pineapple Jam Tarts
This pineapple jam tart recipe features a buttery, melt-in-the-mouth crust and rich homemade pineapple jam. A classic Chinese New Year cookie.

- Prep time
- 1 hr
- Cook time
- 25 min
- Yield
- 80 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
- 4 cup shredded pineapple (fresh or canned crushed pineapple, with juice)
- 2+1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- 3 whole cloves
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 250 g butter (2 1/14 sticks in the US)
- 2 eggs
- 4 tbsp cold water
Instructions
- 1
Combine shredded pineapple, sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves and lemon juice in a large saucepan
- 2
Cook over medium heat, stirring regularly, until the mixture thickens and turns a deep golden brown, about 30 minutes. The jam is ready when it is very thick and the pineapple pulp becomes slightly translucent.
- 3
Remove and discard the cinnamon stick, star anise, and cloves. Allow the jam to cool completely.
- 4
Once cooled, roll the pineapple jam into small balls, slightly less than 1 teaspoon each. Place them on parchment or wax paper and set aside.
- 5
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- 6
Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl. Add salt and mix to combine.
- 7
Cut the cold butter into roughly ½-inch cubes and add to the flour. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture looks crumbly. A food processor can also be used for this step.
- 8
Add the eggs and cold water. Use your hands to gently bring the dough together until it forms a soft ball. Do not overwork the dough.
- 9
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter, about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, to cut out rounds and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- 10
Make a small indentation in the center of each round, then nestle one pineapple jam ball into the middle.
- 11
Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastry is lightly golden.
- 12
Allow the tarts to cool completely before serving or storing. Enjoy!