Best Easy Wife Cake Recipe

Flaky wife cake with sweet winter melon filling is a traditional Cantonese pastry. A family recipe with buttery, layered crust and delicate sweetness.

Cook 70 min Difficulty NORMAL 180 kcal
#vegetarian #mediterranean
Image coming soon
Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • all-purpose flour 1.5 cups
  • cake flour 0.5 cup
  • unsalted butter 5 tbsp
  • winter melon preserves 2 cups
  • dried coconut 3 tbsp
Seasonings/Sauce
  • powdered sugar 3 tbsp
  • maltose syrup 1.5 tbsp
  • salt 0.25 tsp
  • egg yolk 1 piece
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 29 g 64%
Protein 2 g 4%
Fat 7 g 32%
Serving size 70g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Combine all-purpose flour and cake flour in a bowl. Cut in 4 tbsp of butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 1 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp powdered sugar, then knead briefly just until a soft dough forms. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces, cover, and let rest 30 minutes.

  3. 3

    For the filling, mash winter melon preserves with dried coconut, maltose syrup, 1 tbsp powdered sugar, and salt. Mix until fully combined and sticky.

  4. 4

    Roll each dough piece into a ball, then flatten into a 3-inch round. Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center, gather edges, and pinch closed. Flatten gently into a disk about 1/2 inch thick.

  5. 5

    Arrange cakes seam side down on the prepared sheet. Brush with beaten egg yolk for a shiny finish.

  6. 6

    Bake for 22-25 minutes at 350°F until golden on top and flaky. Cool on the tray for 10 minutes before serving.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The standout ingredient is winter melon preserves, which delivers the signature sweetness and moistness inside the wife cake. Its subtle flavor balances the buttery, flaky pastry, making it essential for authentic Cantonese taste.
Q. How do you achieve the flaky, layered crust?
The combination of all-purpose and cake flour, cut with cold unsalted butter, is crucial. Minimal kneading keeps the layers delicate, while resting the dough before shaping prevents toughness, ensuring the pastry stays tender and flaky.
Q. What should I watch out for to keep the wife cakes from becoming dense?
Avoid overworking the dough; gentle handling preserves airiness. Make sure ingredients are cool and don’t press too hard when shaping. Also, do not overbake—the cakes should be lightly golden and not overly browned.
Q. How many calories and what are the main macronutrients per serving?
Each serving contains about 180 kcal, with 29g of carbohydrates (64% of calories), 2g protein (4%), and 7g fat (32%). This reflects the cake’s classic balance of gentle sweetness and light, flaky texture.
AI 채팅 아이콘