For the past few weeks, the bakery shop, Donna Manis, in Singapore’s Katong Shopping Centre has been focusing on popular Chinese New Year cookies – and they have even reduced the production of some of their usual baked goodies because of the snacks. (The usual fare such as their classic banana pies, chocolate tarts and raisin scones will be available in full production again though, after Chinese New Year).
Donna Manis bakery shop, Katong Shopping Centre
The Selection
There was a wide selection of Chinese New Year cookies available. These included a myriad of cookies with nuts in them. There were also mini spring rolls available.
Unable to resist the lure of delicious Chinese New Year cookies, I bought a jar of each of their cashew nut, butter, almond and walnut cookies. Here is my verdict on how these stacked up.
Cashew Nut Cookies
Cashew Nut Cookies.
These Chinese New Year cookies are easily distinguishable. This is because of their distinctive diamond shape and the huge piece of cashew nut prominently inserted on top of every one.
When I bit into one, it was extremely fragrant. I could also taste some crushed cashew nuts, which helped to add a delicious nutty texture to the biscuit.
In fact, it was one of the better versions of cashew nut cookies that I have tasted.
Butter Cookies
These are small, round Chinese New Year cookies distinguished by a small red dot placed in the centre.
When I bit into one of these cookies, it was just as scrumptious and fragrant as the cashew nut ones and it left a delicious buttery aftertaste inside my mouth. The cookies are completely addictive – and it left me clamouring for another one.
It is a good thing, that the size of these cookies is slightly smaller than the cashew nut ones. For those who can easily polish off several at one go, it would mean consuming less calories!
Almond Cookies
Almond Cookies
Like the butter version, these ones are small, round cookies. But because of the crushed almond nuts mixed into the dough, it made the colour distinctively browner than the butter cookies.
It was just as delicious as the previous two types of cookies and the amount of crushed almonds added to the biscuit was extremely generous and with every bite, I was able to savour the taste of scrumptious almonds. It was one of the best almond cookies that I have ever eaten.
Walnut Cookies
Walnut Cookies
The colour of these Chinese New Year cookies resembles the almond cookies, but they have been cut into squares instead.
They were just as buttery and tasty as the previous cookies and I really loved the extremely crumbly texture that they have, but the amount of walnuts placed inside, was not as much as the almond ones. As well, it may be better if these cookies were crunchier.
Overall Comments
In my opinion, these bite-sized morsels are definitely amongst the better Chinese New Year cookies around and I would certainly buy them again next year. But I must also say that they are a little pricey, at $18 per jar.
Donna Manis bakery shop
#B1-93, Katong Shopping Centre,
865 Mountbatten Road
Singapore
Telephone: +65 64407688
Hours: Closed on Sun, Mon – Sat : 10:30am – 07:00pm
Sick of the Usual Pineapple Tarts?
If you don’t like the standard round or flower-like pineapple tarts sold at most places, you can check out this interesting little bakery, making pineapple tarts in the shape of Chinese Zodiac creatures and mandarin oranges. Click here for more.
Find out here whether you should buy Traditional or Modern Chinese New Year Cookies.
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