100+ Chinese Cake Vocabulary Used in Culture and Daily Life
Chinese desserts, especially cake varieties, play a unique role in culinary tradition and everyday life. From steamed rice cakes to snowy mooncakes, understanding the vocabulary behind them opens a rich world of food culture and conversation. Whether you're reading a recipe, walking through a bakery in Guangzhou, or ordering a Chinese birthday cake, you're engaging with an evolving language of celebration, texture, and taste.
This guide covers over 100 keywords related to Chinese cakes—from local pastries and festive treats to core ingredients, kitchen tools, and useful spoken expressions. You’ll also discover terms relevant to almond cake Chinese, chinese rice cakes, chiffon cake Chinese, and more. Perfect for learners preparing for daily interaction, culinary study, or cultural immersion.
I. Chinese Cake Vocabulary and Other Pastries & Sweets in Chinese
Learning Chinese cake vocabulary allows you to discuss desserts meaningfully in Mandarin, whether you're shopping, cooking, or celebrating.
1. Types of Chinese Cakes and Pastries
Chinese pastry traditions span centuries, with each region contributing unique specialties that reflect local tastes and available ingredients. These treats serve multiple purposes from daily snacks to ceremonial offerings during festivals and celebrations.
|
No. |
Chinese Cakes |
Pinyin |
Meaning |
|
Types of Biscuits and Cakes |
|||
|
1 |
饼干 |
bǐnggān |
Biscuit (cookie) |
|
2 |
甜饼干 |
tián bǐnggān |
Sweet biscuit |
|
3 |
什锦饼干 |
shíjǐn bǐnggān |
Assorted biscuits |
|
4 |
脆饼干 |
cuì bǐnggān |
Crispy biscuit |
|
5 |
薄脆饼干 |
báocuì bǐnggān |
Thin crispy biscuit |
|
6 |
华夫饼干 |
huá fū bǐnggān |
Waffle biscuit |
|
6 |
酒香饼干 |
jiǔ xiāng bǐnggān |
Liquor-flavored biscuit |
|
7 |
奶油夹心饼干 |
nǎiyóu jiā xīn bǐnggān |
Cream-filled biscuit |
|
8 |
奶油梳打饼干 |
nǎiyóu shū dǎ bǐnggān |
Butter soda cracker |
|
9 |
巧克力饼干 |
qiǎokèlì bǐnggān |
Chocolate biscuit |
|
10 |
曲奇饼 |
qū qí bǐng |
Cookie |
|
11 |
白兰地姜汁饼干 |
báilándì jiāng zhī bǐnggān |
Brandy ginger biscuit |
|
12 |
蛋糕 |
dàngāo |
Cake |
|
13 |
夹层蛋糕 |
jiācéng dàngāo |
Layer cake |
|
14 |
栗子蛋糕 |
lìzǐ dàngāo |
Chestnut cake |
|
15 |
冰淇淋蛋糕 |
bīngqílín dàngāo |
Ice cream cake |
|
16 |
果仁蛋糕 |
guǒ rén dàngāo |
Nut cake |
|
17 |
水果蛋糕 |
shuǐguǒ dàngāo |
Fruit cake |
|
18 |
树形蛋糕 |
shù xíng dàngāo |
Tree-shaped cake |
|
19 |
马德拉蛋糕 |
mǎ dé lā dàngāo |
Madeira cake |
|
20 |
薄荷糕 |
bòhé gāo |
Mint cake |
|
21 |
山楂糕 |
shānzhā gāo |
Hawthorn jelly cake |
|
22 |
咖啡糕 |
kāfēi gāo |
Coffee cake |
|
23 |
烙饼 |
làobǐng |
Pan-baked flatbread |
|
24 |
炮夫 |
pào fū |
Puff pastry |
|
25 |
奶油炮夫 |
nǎiyóu pào fū |
Butter puff |
|
26 |
巧克力酥 |
qiǎokèlì sū |
Chocolate crisp |
|
27 |
巧克力奶油酥 |
qiǎokèlì nǎiyóu sū |
Chocolate butter crisp |
|
Types of Filled Pastries |
|||
|
29 |
馅儿并 |
xiàn er bìng |
Stuffed pastry |
|
30 |
肉饼 |
ròu bǐng |
Meat pie |
|
31 |
月饼 |
yuèbǐng |
Mooncake |
|
32 |
热狗 |
règǒu |
Hot dog |
|
33 |
牛肉饼 |
niúròu bǐng |
Beef burger |
|
34 |
炸面卷 |
zhá miàn juǎn |
Fried flour roll |
|
35 |
奶油卷 |
nǎiyóu juǎn |
Butter roll |
|
Types of Bread |
|||
|
36 |
面包 |
miànbāo |
Bread |
|
37 |
奶油面包 |
nǎiyóu miànbāo |
Butter bread |
|
38 |
小圆面包 |
xiǎo yuán miànbāo |
Small round bread |
|
39 |
白面包 |
bái miànbāo |
White bread |
|
40 |
黑面包 |
hēi miànbāo |
Brown bread |
|
41 |
羊角面包 |
yángjiǎo miànbāo |
Croissant |
|
42 |
红肠面包 |
hóng cháng miàn bāo |
Sausage bread |
|
43 |
短棍面包 |
duǎn gùn miànbāo |
Short baguette |
|
44 |
法式小面包 |
fàshì xiǎo miànbāo |
French bread roll |
|
45 |
自然发酵面包 |
zìrán fāxiào miànbāo |
Naturally leavened bread |
|
46 |
面包卷 |
miànbāo juàn |
Bread roll |
|
47 |
奶酪面包卷 |
nǎilào miànbāo juàn |
Cheese roll |
|
48 |
咖啡面包卷 |
kāfēi miànbāo juàn |
Coffee roll |
|
49 |
棒状面包卷 |
bàngzhuàng miànbāo juàn |
Bread stick |
|
Other Types of Chinese Cakes and Pastries |
|||
|
50 |
煎饼 |
jiānbing |
Pancake |
|
51 |
薄饼 |
báobǐng |
Crêpe |
|
52 |
姜饼 |
jiāngbǐng |
Gingerbread |
|
53 |
大包子 |
dà bāozi |
Large steamed bun |
|
54 |
粽子 |
zōngzi |
Sticky rice dumpling |
|
55 |
扁米饼 |
biǎn mǐ bǐng |
Flattened rice cake |
|
56 |
粉卷 |
fěn juǎn |
Rice roll |
|
57 |
粉皮 |
fěn pí |
Rice sheet (spring roll wrap) |
|
58 |
绿豆糕 |
lǜdòugāo |
Mung bean cake |
|
59 |
米粉粽 |
mǐfěn zōng |
Pyramid rice dumpling |
|
60 |
馒头 |
mántou |
Steamed sweet bun |
|
61 |
奶粗饼 |
nǎi cù bǐng |
Milk biscuit |
|
62 |
汤圆 |
tāngyuán |
Glutinous rice balls |
|
63 |
苏塞饼 |
sū sāi bǐng |
Xu xê cake (Vietnamese sticky dessert) |
|
64 |
奶油泡夫 |
nǎiyóu pào fū |
Cream puff |
Recognizing these Chinese cake names is helpful not just for dining or shopping, but also during festivals like Mid-Autumn or Lunar New Year.
2. Types of Candy
Chinese confectionery traditions extend far beyond Chinese cakes, encompassing a wide array of candies that serve both as treats and as expressions of hospitality during festivals and visits.
|
No. |
Chinese Candy |
Pinyin |
Meaning |
|
1 |
巧克力糖 |
qiǎokèlì táng |
Chocolate candy |
|
2 |
花生糖 |
huāshēng táng |
Peanut candy |
|
3 |
椰子糖 |
yēzi táng |
Coconut candy |
|
4 |
巧克力粒糖 |
qiǎokèlì lì táng |
Chocolate drops |
|
5 |
巧克力奶糖 |
qiǎokèlì nǎi táng |
Milk chocolate candy |
|
6 |
圆形巧克力糖 |
yuán xíng qiǎokèlì táng |
Round chocolate candy |
|
7 |
巧克力软糖 |
qiǎokèlì ruǎn táng |
Soft chocolate candy |
|
8 |
乳脂软糖 |
rǔzhī ruǎn táng |
Creamy soft candy |
|
9 |
蛋形巧克力 |
dàn xíng qiǎokèlì |
Egg-shaped chocolate |
|
10 |
金币巧克力 |
jīnbì qiǎokèlì |
Gold coin chocolate |
|
11 |
条形巧克力 |
tiáo xíng qiǎokèlì |
Chocolate bar |
|
12 |
奶油夹心巧克力糖 |
nǎiyóu jiā xīn qiǎokèlì táng |
Cream-filled chocolate candy |
|
13 |
酒心巧克力 |
jiǔ xīn qiǎokèlì |
Liquor-filled chocolate |
|
14 |
水果硬糖 |
shuǐguǒ yìng táng |
Fruit hard candy |
|
15 |
柠檬水果糖 |
níngméng shuǐguǒ táng |
Lemon fruit candy |
|
16 |
棉花糖 |
miánhuā táng |
Marshmallow |
|
17 |
硬糖 |
yìng táng |
Hard candy |
|
18 |
可可花生糖 |
kěkě huāshēng táng |
Cocoa peanut candy |
|
19 |
杏仁蛋白软糖 |
xìngrén dànbái ruǎn táng |
Almond egg-white soft candy |
|
20 |
奶油软糖 |
nǎiyóu ruǎn táng |
Soft butter candy |
|
21 |
什锦糖果 |
shíjǐn tángguǒ |
Assorted candies |
|
22 |
扁形糖果 |
biǎnxíng tángguǒ |
Flat candy |
|
23 |
白兰地酒味糖 |
báilándì jiǔ wèi táng |
Brandy-flavored candy |
|
24 |
炒米糖 |
chǎomǐ táng |
Puffed rice candy |
|
25 |
口香糖 |
kǒuxiāngtáng |
Chewing gum |
|
26 |
巧克力夹心软糖 |
qiǎokèlì jiā xīn ruǎn táng |
Soft chocolate-filled candy |
|
27 |
奶油夹心糖 |
nǎiyóu jiāxīn táng |
Butter cream candy |
|
28 |
夹心软糖 |
jiāxīn ruǎn táng |
Soft stuffed candy |
These items are important to understanding broader Chinese dessert contexts and holiday snacks.
3. Baking Ingredients | 烘焙原料 (hōngbèi yuánliào)
Understanding ingredient terminology proves essential when following Chinese recipes, shopping in Chinese markets, or discussing baking techniques with Mandarin speakers.
|
No. |
Chinese Ingredients |
Pinyin |
Meaning |
|
1 |
盐 |
yán |
Salt |
|
2 |
吉利丁粉 |
jílì dīng fěn |
Gelatin powder |
|
3 |
糯米粉 |
nuòmǐ fěn |
Glutinous rice flour |
|
4 |
玉米淀粉 |
yùmǐ diànfěn |
Corn starch |
|
5 |
细砂糖 |
xì shātáng |
Fine granulated sugar |
|
6 |
可可粉 |
kěkě fěn |
Cocoa powder |
|
7 |
低筋面粉 |
dī jīn miànfěn |
Cake flour |
|
8 |
泡打粉 |
pāo dǎfěn |
Baking powder |
|
9 |
红豆馅儿 |
hóngdòu xiàn er |
Red bean filling |
|
10 |
红糖 |
hóngtáng |
Brown sugar |
|
11 |
白糖 |
báitáng |
White sugar |
|
12 |
木薯淀粉 |
mùshǔ diànfěn |
Tapioca starch |
|
13 |
絮状 |
xù zhuàng |
Clumpy/flaky texture |
|
14 |
砂糖 |
shātáng |
Granulated sugar |
|
15 |
炼乳 |
liànrǔ |
Condensed milk |
|
16 |
牛奶 |
niúnǎi |
Cow’s milk |
|
17 |
酸奶 |
suānnǎi |
Yogurt |
|
18 |
黄油 |
huángyóu |
Butter |
|
19 |
奶油 |
nǎiyóu |
Shortening / Whipping cream |
|
20 |
蛋黄 |
dànhuáng |
Egg yolk |
|
21 |
面团 |
miàntuán |
Dough |
|
22 |
纯牛奶 |
chún niúnǎi |
Whole milk |
|
23 |
卡仕达酱 |
kǎ shì dá jiàng |
Custard sauce |
|
24 |
香草精 |
xiāngcǎo jīng |
Vanilla extract |
|
25 |
粘稠 |
zhān chóu |
Thick (sauce-like) consistency |
|
26 |
淡奶油 |
dàn nǎiyóu |
Light cream / Whipping cream |
4. Baking Process | 制作步骤 (zhìzuò bùzhòu)
Mastering baking terminology helps you follow recipes accurately and communicate effectively about techniques, whether learning from Chinese instructors or sharing your own knowledge with Mandarin speakers about Chinese cakes.
|
No. |
Chinese Baking Process |
Pinyin |
Meaning |
|
1 |
加热, 煮沸 |
jiārè, zhǔfèi |
Heat up, bring to a boil |
|
2 |
搅打(蛋, 奶油) |
jiǎo dǎ (dàn, nǎiyóu) |
Beat (eggs, butter) |
|
3 |
添加 |
tiānjiā |
Add |
|
4 |
烧开 |
shāo kāi |
Boil |
|
5 |
撕开 |
sī kāi |
Tear open |
|
6 |
烤 |
kǎo |
Bake, roast |
|
7 |
烘烤 |
hōngkǎo |
Toast, oven-bake |
|
8 |
烧烤 |
shāokǎo |
Grill, barbecue |
|
9 |
炸 |
zhà |
Deep-fry |
|
10 |
炒 |
chǎo |
Stir-fry, sauté |
|
11 |
煮 |
zhǔ |
Boil (food) |
|
12 |
炖 |
dùn |
Stew, simmer |
|
13 |
蒸 |
zhēng |
Steam |
|
14 |
切 |
qiè |
Cut, chop, slice |
|
15 |
结合 |
jiéhé |
Combine |
|
16 |
烹调 |
pēngtiáo |
Cook |
|
17 |
压碎 |
yā suì |
Mash, crush |
|
18 |
给…涂上油 |
gěi…tú shàng yóu |
Grease with oil |
|
19 |
揉 |
róu |
Knead, rub, roll |
|
20 |
混合 |
hùnhé |
Mix, blend |
|
21 |
测量 |
cèliáng |
Measure |
|
22 |
融化 |
rónghuà |
Melt, dissolve |
|
23 |
削皮 |
xiāo pí |
Peel |
|
24 |
倒 |
dào |
Pour |
|
25 |
放置 |
fàngzhì |
Set aside, place |
|
26 |
切片 |
qiēpiàn |
Slice |
|
27 |
搅拌 |
jiǎobàn |
Stir, mix, blend |
|
28 |
用大火炒 |
yòng dàhuǒ chǎo |
Stir-fry on high heat |
|
29 |
拉扯 |
lāchě |
Pull apart |
|
30 |
涂 |
tú |
Spread, coat |
|
31 |
揉、搓、捏 |
róu, cuō, niē |
Knead, rub, pinch |
|
32 |
挖 |
wā |
Scoop, dig |
|
33 |
榨 |
zhà |
Squeeze, press (juice) |
|
34 |
搅拌 |
jiǎobàn |
Stir, mix |
5. Baking Tools | 烘焙工具 (hōngbèi gōngjù)
Professional or home baking requires specific equipment that Chinese recipes reference by standard terms, helping you identify necessary items and understand instructions more clearly.
|
No. |
Chinese Baking Tools |
Pinyin |
Meaning |
|
1 |
厨房用具 |
chúfáng yòngjù |
Kitchen utensils |
|
2 |
切片器 |
qiēpiàn qì |
Slicer, slicing tool |
|
3 |
碟子 |
diézi |
Plate |
|
4 |
生炉手套 |
shēng lú shǒutào |
Oven mitts, heat-resistant gloves |
|
5 |
盘子 |
pánzi |
Tray, platter |
|
6 |
面包盆 |
miànbāo pén |
Bread tray |
|
7 |
椭圆盘 |
tuǒyuán pán |
Oval tray |
|
8 |
擀面板 |
gǎn miànbǎn |
Pastry board, rolling board |
|
9 |
高脚果盘 |
gāo jiǎo guǒpán |
Tall fruit tray / pedestal dish |
|
10 |
饼模 |
bǐng mó |
Baking mold |
|
11 |
炉子 |
lúzǐ |
Stove, cooker |
|
12 |
烤面包机 |
kǎo miànbāo jī |
Toaster |
|
13 |
打蛋器 |
dǎ dàn qì |
Egg beater |
|
14 |
搅拌器 |
jiǎobàn qì |
Mixer, blender |
|
15 |
蒸锅 |
zhēngguō |
Steamer pot |
|
16 |
咖啡匙 |
kāfēi chí |
Coffee spoon |
|
17 |
茶勺 |
chá sháo |
Tea scoop |
|
18 |
平底锅 |
píngdǐ guō |
Shallow pan / skillet |
|
19 |
生平底锅 |
shēng píngdǐ guō |
Deep flat-bottomed pan |
|
20 |
锅 |
guō |
Pot / pan |
|
21 |
电炉 |
diànlú |
Electric stove |
|
22 |
煤气灶 |
méiqì zào |
Gas stove |
|
23 |
不粘底平底煎锅 |
bù nián dǐ píngdǐ jiān guō |
Non-stick frying pan |
These terms are useful whether you’re watching Chinese cakes baking tutorials, reading product catalogs, or sharing recipes in Mandarin.
II. Common Sentences for Talking About Pastries in Chinese
Besides Chinese cakes, practical conversation skills allow you to discuss pastries naturally in Chinese contexts, whether ordering at bakeries, sharing recipes, or discussing preferences with friends and colleagues.
|
No. |
Chinese Sentence |
Pinyin |
Meaning |
|
1 |
这个蛋糕是用什么做的? |
Zhège dàngāo shì yòng shénme zuò de? |
What is this cake made from? |
|
2 |
我最喜欢巧克力蛋糕。 |
Wǒ zuì xǐhuan qiǎokèlì dàngāo. |
I love chocolate cake the most. |
|
3 |
这家店的芝士蛋糕特别好吃。 |
Zhè jiā diàn de zhīshì dàngāo tèbié hǎo chī. |
The cheesecake from this shop is especially delicious. |
|
4 |
这些饼干是用黄油做的。 |
Zhèxiē bǐnggān shì yòng huángyóu zuò de. |
These cookies are made with butter. |
|
5 |
你做的蛋糕真是太好吃了! |
Nǐ zuò de dàngāo zhēn shì tài hǎo chī le! |
The cake you made is absolutely delicious! |
|
6 |
这种甜点在节日里很受欢迎。 |
Zhè zhǒng tiándiǎn zài jiérì lǐ hěn shòu huānyíng. |
This kind of dessert is very popular during holidays. |
|
7 |
这个甜点太甜了,我不太喜欢。 |
Zhège tiándiǎn tài tián le, wǒ bù tài xǐhuan. |
This dessert is too sweet; I don't really like it. |
|
8 |
首先,我们需要准备所有的材料。 |
Shǒuxiān, wǒmen xūyào zhǔnbèi suǒyǒu de cáiliào. |
First, we need to prepare all the ingredients. |
|
9 |
接下来,我们将搅拌黄油和糖。 |
Jiē xiàlái, wǒmen jiāng jiǎobàn huángyóu hé táng. |
Next, we will mix the butter and sugar. |
|
10 |
然后,加入鸡蛋和牛奶。 |
Ránhòu, jiārù jīdàn hé niúnǎi. |
Then, add the eggs and milk. |
|
11 |
接着,筛入面粉和泡打粉。 |
Jiēzhe, shāi rù miànfěn hé pàodǎfěn. |
After that, sift in the flour and baking powder. |
|
12 |
把模具放入预热好的烤箱中,烘烤大约需要30分钟。 |
Bǎ mújù fàng rù yùrè hǎo de kǎoxiāng zhōng, hōng kǎo dàyuē xūyào 30 fēnzhōng. |
Place the mold into the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes. |
|
13 |
烘烤大约需要三十分钟。 |
Hōngkǎo dàyuē xūyào sānshí fēnzhōng. |
Baking takes about 30 minutes. |
|
14 |
我喜欢边吃蛋糕边喝茶。 |
Wǒ xǐhuan biān chī dàngāo biān hē chá. |
I enjoy eating cake while drinking tea. |
|
15 |
奶油要打至蓬松的状态。 |
Nǎiyóu yào dǎ zhì péngsōng de zhuàngtài. |
The cream should be whipped until fluffy. |
|
16 |
请把巧克力切成小块。 |
Qǐng bǎ qiǎokèlì qiē chéng xiǎo kuài. |
Please cut the chocolate into small pieces. |
|
17 |
慢慢倒入牛奶,同时搅拌。 |
Màn man dàorù niúnǎi, tóngshí jiǎobàn. |
Slowly pour in the milk while stirring. |
|
18 |
吃太多甜点对身体不好。 |
Chī tài duō tiándiǎn duì shēntǐ bù hǎo. |
Eating too many sweets isn't good for your health. |
|
19 |
每一道工序都很重要。 |
Měi yīdào gōngxù dōu hěn zhòngyào. |
Every step of the process is important. |
|
20 |
我们来尝尝这个新做的小蛋糕吧! |
Wǒmen lái chángchang zhège xīn zuò de xiǎo dàngāo ba! |
Let’s try this freshly made cupcake! |
Using these naturally in conversation shows your practical fluency and cultural awareness.
III. Final Thoughts
Learning Chinese cake vocabulary goes beyond mastering dessert menus—it opens a door into holiday traditions, tea pairings, handmade gifts, and digital cooking culture. Whether you're interested in chinese rice cakes, almond cake chinese, or regional specialties like cantonese sponge cake, you'll gain insights that bridge language and lifestyle.
Engaging with this vocabulary through shopping, baking, or celebration experiences makes the terms meaningful and memorable. Choose a few items to focus on first—perhaps your favorite Chinese cake, dessert or a recipe you've always wanted to try. As you build knowledge, you’ll find this tasty topic becomes one of the most rewarding paths to fluency.
Let me know if you'd like flashcard decks, printable ingredient sheets, or supporting audio for pronunciation!

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.
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