When you wander along Nanjing West Road in Shanghai or stroll through the lively old neighborhoods, a rich milky aroma will inadvertently linger around your nose—that is the scent of Shanghai’s most representative Shanghainese-style pastry: butterfly cookies. As a classic delicacy that Shanghai people have been eating since childhood, butterfly cookies are not only a kind of pastry, but also a microcosm of Shanghai’s Shanghainese Culture, and an excellent entry point for foreign tourists to understand the warmth and vitality of Shanghai. With its crispy texture and mellow milk flavor, it has become a must-try and must-take souvenir for countless Chinese and foreign tourists visiting Shanghai, carrying the sweet memories of Shanghai and conveying the tenderness and delicacy of this city.
Butterfly cookies did not originate in Shanghai, but after being introduced to Shanghai, they were improved and innovated by several generations of pastry chefs, integrating the delicacy of the Jiangnan region and the inclusiveness of the Shanghainese style, and finally formed a unique flavor belonging to Shanghai, becoming the “top star” of Shanghai’s time-honored pastries. The origin of its name is very vivid: the finished product is shaped like a butterfly spreading its wings, and the layered crispy crust is like the wings of a butterfly. The golden color is matched with uniform frosting, which is both beautiful and delicious. It has both the delicacy of Western pastries and the warmth of Chinese pastries, perfectly reflecting Shanghai’s unique feature of integrating Chinese and Western Cultures.
The unique flavor of Shanghai butterfly cookies comes from their strict production process and carefully selected ingredients. High-quality butterfly cookies use simple ingredients such as high-gluten flour, unsalted butter, pure milk, and white sugar, without adding extra additives, retaining the original aroma of the ingredients to the greatest extent. The production process is extremely cumbersome. From kneading and proofing the dough to repeatedly folding and rolling the crispy crust, each step tests the chef’s skills. Chefs need to wrap the butter evenly in the dough, fold and roll it many times to form a layered structure of the crispy crust. This process is called “lamination”, and the quality of lamination directly determines the crispness of the butterfly cookies. Then, cut the rolled crispy crust into uniform long strips, twist them, and put them into the oven to bake. Under high temperature, the butter melts, and the crispy crust expands layer by layer, forming a crispy outer layer and tender inner texture. After being taken out of the oven, sprinkle a layer of fine frosting. Take a bite, it is crispy and crumbly, and the milk flavor and sugar flavor blend in the mouth, sweet but not greasy, mellow and long-lasting, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
For foreign tourists who want to taste the most authentic Shanghai butterfly cookies, they must recognize Shanghai’s time-honored stores. Among them, the most representative one is the butterfly cookies from Park Hotel Shanghai, which is known as the “ceiling of Shanghai butterfly cookies”. Founded in 1934, Park Hotel Shanghai is one of the iconic works of Shanghai’s modern architecture, known as the “tallest building in the Far East”. Since its birth, the butterfly cookies here have become a favorite of Shanghai people and a must-check-in food for foreign tourists visiting Shanghai.
The butterfly cookies from Park Hotel Shanghai have their own unique advantages. First of all, in terms of taste, they are made by traditional craftsmanship, with extremely rich layers of crispy crust. Taking a bite, they are crispy to the point of crumbling, but not dry. The inside is a little soft, with a strong milk flavor, sweet but not greasy, which is very suitable for both the elderly and children. Secondly, in terms of appearance, it has a regular shape, like a spreading butterfly, with an attractive golden color. The frosting evenly covers the surface of the crispy crust, which is very beautiful. It is very decent whether you eat it yourself or give it to friends as a souvenir. In addition, Park Hotel Shanghai’s butterfly cookies have a variety of flavors to choose from. In addition to the classic original flavor, there are also chocolate flavor, matcha flavor, etc., to meet the taste needs of different tourists.
In addition to Park Hotel Shanghai, there are many other time-honored stores in Shanghai where butterfly cookies are also worth trying. For example, Harbin food Factory, as an old-fashioned Western pastry shop in Shanghai, the butterfly cookies here use solid ingredients, with a crispy texture and mellow milk flavor, and the price is relatively affordable, which is deeply loved by Shanghai people and tourists. There is also Shen Dacheng, a century-old time-honored brand in Shanghai, famous for Chinese-style pastries. The butterfly cookies here combine Chinese flavors with Western craftsmanship, with a unique taste and a special charm. In addition, the butterfly cookies in Yu Garden are also very distinctive, integrating the flavors of the Jiangnan region, with a strong aroma, suitable for tourists who like sweet taste.
For foreign tourists, there are some small tips to refer to when tasting and buying Shanghai butterfly cookies. First of all, when tasting butterfly cookies, it is recommended to match them with a cup of Shanghai flower Tea or coffee. The fresh fragrance of flower tea can neutralize the sweetness of butterfly cookies, and the mellow taste of coffee can complement the milk flavor of butterfly cookies, making the taste more rich. Secondly, when buying butterfly cookies, it is recommended to choose stores that sell them freshly baked. Freshly baked butterfly cookies have the best taste and the strongest aroma. If left for too long, the crispy crust will become soft, affecting the taste. If you want to take them as souvenirs, it is recommended to choose sealed packaged butterfly cookies. Sealed packaging can better preserve the crispy texture of butterfly cookies, and it is easy to carry and not easy to break.
In addition, there are certain skills for preserving butterfly cookies. For short-term preservation, put the butterfly cookies in an airtight container and place them in a cool and dry place, with a shelf life of about 7-10 days; for long-term preservation, you can put the butterfly cookies in the refrigerator to freeze, and the shelf life can be extended to about 1 month. When eating, take them out in advance to thaw and bake them in the oven for a few minutes, and the taste can be restored to crispy. For foreign tourists, it is also very convenient to take butterfly cookies back to their country. Sealed packaged butterfly cookies can be directly put into the suitcase without worrying about damage, and the shelf life is long enough to allow family and friends to taste the deliciousness of Shanghai.
Shanghai butterfly cookies are not only a delicious pastry, but also a carrier of Shanghai Culture. They carry the historical memories of Shanghai, witness the changes of this city, and convey the life attitude of Shanghai people—exquisite, gentle and inclusive. When you take a bite of the crispy butterfly cookies and feel the blend of milk flavor and sugar flavor in your mouth, you can understand the warmth and vitality of Shanghai and the unique charm of this city that integrates Chinese and Western cultures. Whether you are at the entrance of Park Hotel on Nanjing West Road or in an old-fashioned store in the old neighborhood, buying a piece of butterfly cookies and tasting it slowly to feel the slow life of Shanghai is one of the most pleasant things about traveling to Shanghai.
For foreign tourists, when traveling to Shanghai, in addition to visiting famous scenic spots such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Bund and Yu Garden, don’t forget to taste Shanghai’s butterfly cookies and take a box of butterfly cookies as a souvenir to bring the sweetness and beauty of Shanghai back home. I believe this small pastry will become the most unforgettable delicious memory of your trip to Shanghai, and when you think of Shanghai, you will think of this crispness and sweetness.
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