As the Lunar New Year approaches at the end of this month, the festive season is marked not only by the cheerful melodies of Chinese New Year songs but also by an array of festive cookies, symbolising anticipation and well wishes for the coming year.
From classic pineapple tarts, peanut cookies, and kuih kapit to creatively designed cartoon-themed cookies, the market is brimming with various options that satisfy both the taste buds and the holiday spirit.
In an interview with Buletin Mutiara, Chin Sing Lai, a home baker from Butterworth, introduced his eye-catching and delightful snake-shaped butter cookies, adding a festive touch to the celebrations, as this is the Year of the Snake in the Lunar calendar.
“The buttery cookies are rich in aromatic flavour. Each one is embossed with festive greetings for the Year of the Snake, spreading the joy of the celebrations,” Chin said.
“I started taking orders and making cookies in December last year. Prior to that, I conducted market research and sourced the necessary ingredients.
“With 11 years of baking experience, I expand my skills through YouTube and various social media resources to promote my business,” he said.
Running his rice business by day and baking cookies at night, Chin is grateful for the support of his wife and children in managing both ventures.
Despite rising costs, Chin strives to keep his prices reasonable and offers various promotions to ensure his cookies remain affordable.
Other festive cookies include pineapple-shaped tarts, honeycomb cookies, salted egg pastries, almond cookies, and muruku.
Meanwhile, Tan, who operates a traditional biscuit shop in Chowrasta Market, noted that he has increased the prices of various cookies by an average of RM1 due to rising costs.
Story by Edmund Lee & Lim Min Jun
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi