Taiwan sun cakes (tai yang bing)

[rworange]

A local bakery sells them, but by the box and I don't want to commit to a large quantity till I know more.

Here’s a little info about sun cakes with pictures …
http://mm.ncnu.edu.tw/news.php?cid=83&className=Entertainment&nid=633

It says …

“Using century-old baking skills, flaky pastry is rolled into multiple layers and formed into the shape of a butter-colored sun. The wheat-germ filling is sweet, and the fragrance of the traditional pig lard wafts towards you”

However this site has a different story …
http://www2.tccgc.gov.tw/report/taich...

“Sun Cake was first baked by Cing-Hai Wei … It was initially a tea dessert … Sun Cake has now become a saucer-shaped puff stuffed with caramel … during the Japanese Colonial Period of Taiwan, Japanese named it as Sun Cake due to its shape and color being similar to Sun, representing Japan.

That's all I know.

Are they common in the US? Is any pastry with that red dot in the center a sun cake? I see those a lot in Chinese bakeries.

[ipsedixit]

I think they are disgusting.

They are right up there with Chinese Moon Cakes for the ignominious title of "The Chinese equivalent of American Fruit Cake"

[justagthing]

there are many different types of moon cakes and they are not only eaten for pleasure, but for cultural reasons as well. Please be a bit considerate when commenting. There are some that I do not care for (like the ones w/egg yolk in the center), but there are some that are quite pleasing (mung bean filling).

[cimui]

Give it another try, ipsedixit! Try to find the ones made with honey. They're vaguely reminiscent of baklava except way the heck better, with lovely, light, flakey layers of pastry, just enough honey so it's sweet, but not cloyingly sweet. They are breath-takingly good. Maybe you just had one with a yucky filling or one that was poorly made?

[I have to confess that I do like fruit cake, as well, though. Hopefully that doesn't damage my credibility too much. =)]

[Humbucker]

Are these life wife cakes (lo po bang)?

[sweetie]

Lo po bang are stuffed with winter melon filling.

[cimui]

They're not common in Manhattan. I've been looking for them for years. My mother makes amazing ones. Never had mine with caramel, either. My family always made them with honey.

[justagthing]

I've never had one with caramel before....interesting articles in regards to how they differ.

[chica]

I see them all the time. I've been able to get singles, too. Most Asian bakeries will sell them to you per "bing"...if it's not on the shelf, ask. Places like Taipan bakery will sell them.