A Traditional Beijing Muslim Food — Sugar Fire Baked Cake
The shiny brown-red crust glistens, and when broken, the dark brown sugar filling flows like lava — this is no ordinary pastry, but a sweet surprise on Beijing breakfast tables! The crisp layers and soft interior combine with caramelized sugar and sesame paste, making it a beloved traditional treat and a perfect way to start the day.
1. Origin and History
Sugar Fire Baked Cake originated from the Ming Dynasty Muslim community over 500 years ago. Initially offered during Ramadan, it was a durable and portable snack for merchants and caravans. Later it spread to the general public and became a staple Beijing Halal pastry still popular today.
2. Cultural Significance
For old Beijingers, this cake is a breakfast ritual. Pair it with a bowl of soybean drink or wheat tea, and a bite signals a good start to the day. During Spring Festival, it’s a must-have gift symbolizing prosperity and sweetness in life.
3. Key Ingredients
High-quality flour from the Hetao region ensures layered texture. The brown sugar comes from Yunnan for rich aroma without sourness. Sesame paste is crucial — Beijing’s 2:8 blend (2 parts peanut, 8 parts sesame) with small-pressed sesame oil creates the signature flavor.
4. How It’s Made
Dough is rolled thin, layered with sesame paste and brown sugar, rolled into a log, and shaped with precise folding to form dozens of layers. The cakes are brushed with sugar syrup, sprinkled with sesame, and baked in a traditional oven for 20 minutes until amber and puffed.
5. Flavor and Texture
The highlight is the thousand-layer crust that crumbles delightfully. The brown sugar filling is molten when hot and soft when cooled. The savory sesame paste balances the sweetness, leaving a light caramel aftertaste.
6. How to Eat
Best enjoyed hot! Break it carefully to feel the crisp layers and flowing sugar filling. Pair with thick wheat tea or soybean drink for a sweet-salty harmony. Chilled versions have a soft, toffee-like filling, offering a unique texture.
7. Where to Try
Top spots include Huguosi Snacks (traditional craft), Ziguangyuan (rich sesame paste), Daoxiangcun (gift packs), Baiji Rice Cake Shop (freshly baked). Individual cakes cost 3–5 RMB; gift boxes 30–50 RMB. Pick ones that are puffed and evenly colored.
8. Travel Tips
The English name is “Sugar Fire Baked Cake.” Best enjoyed fresh in the morning (6–9 AM). Vegetarian-friendly, as traditional recipes contain no meat. Store at room temperature for 3 days, refrigerate up to 5 days. Reheat at 150 °C for 5 minutes to restore crispness.
9. Easy Home Version
At home, roll dough, spread sesame paste and brown sugar, roll and flatten, brush with honey water, sprinkle sesame, and bake at 200 °C for 15 minutes. Not as authentic as the original, but still fun to make.
This crisp-on-the-outside, sweet-on-the-inside “brown sugar treasure” opens the door to Beijing’s flavors! It’s more than a pastry — it’s edible art. When you break open the crust and see the flowing sugar, you’ll understand the meaning of “sweet reward after effort.” Pair with a strong cup of tea and savor 500 years of traditional Beijing sweetness.
