Chinese Tea Cookies Recipe: Hawaii's Famous Pake Cake
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Table of Contents I. What Are Chinese Tea Cookies in Hawaiʻi? II. Why Locals Call Them Pake Cake |
I. What Are Chinese Tea Cookies in Hawaiʻi?
Traditional Chinese Tea Cookies remain a nostalgic island snack.
If you ask someone in Hawaiʻi about Chinese Tea Cookies, you may get a completely different answer than expected. In the town of Lāʻie on Oʻahu, many locals know them simply as Pake Cake—a beloved snack found for generations at neighborhood stores and family gatherings.
Unlike rich chocolate cookies or heavily frosted desserts, these cookies are surprisingly simple. They have a lightly sweet flavor, a soft center, and a slightly crisp outer layer that pairs perfectly with tea, coffee, or even cold milk after a day at the beach.
For many island families, these cookies carry memories of football games, road trips, and visits with relatives.
II. Why Locals Call Them Pake Cake
The nickname comes from local Hawaiian slang, where "Pake" traditionally referred to Chinese people or Chinese culture. Over time, the name became attached to these cookies because Chinese bakeries introduced them across Hawaiʻi.
In Lāʻie, the famous Sam's Store near Hukilau Café became known for selling these oversized cookies. People would stop by to grab a bag before heading to the beach or taking flights to visit family on the mainland.
Today, the cookie remains a small but memorable part of Hawaiʻi's local food culture.
III. Chinese Tea Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 13 oz Chinese brown sugar (wong tong)
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 5½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
Substitution: If you cannot find wong tong, use about 1½ cups brown sugar.
Simple pantry ingredients create this island favorite.
Instructions
Step 1: Make the sugar syrup
Bring water to a boil.
Break the Chinese brown sugar into smaller pieces and stir into the hot water until dissolved. Add white sugar and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Step 2: Prepare the dough
In a large bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder.
In another bowl, combine honey, oil, and eggs.
Add the wet ingredients into the flour mixture.
Pour in the sugar syrup and mix until a smooth dough forms.
Let the dough rest for 1 hour.
Step 3: Bake the cookies
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line baking trays with parchment paper.
Scoop dough onto the tray and flatten each cookie to about ½ inch thick.
Traditional cookies are around 3 inches wide, but smaller versions work too.
Bake for 12–15 minutes.
Allow cookies to cool for several minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Makes approximately 20 large cookies.
IV. Tips for the Best Texture
Want softer cookies? Keep them thicker before baking.
Want a crispier texture? Make smaller cookies and bake slightly longer.
Dust powdered sugar on top for a sweeter variation.
Store in an airtight container to keep them fresh for several days.
Warm homemade Pake Cake fresh from the oven.
V. Final Thoughts
Chinese Tea Cookies may look simple, but their popularity in Hawaiʻi proves that memorable foods do not need complicated ingredients. Whether you call them Chinese Tea Cookies or Pake Cake, they remain a comforting island treat tied to local stories, family traditions, and neighborhood culture.
Read more:
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