Suide Snowflake

Suide Snowflake

　　Suide Snowflake is a specialty snack from Suide County, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province. The Snowflake is a delicacy among pastries, often hailed as the “King of Pastries.” Resembling a mooncake in shape, it has a yellowish-white color, with a crispy crust and fragrant filling. Its outer surface is white, thin, and multi-layered. When eaten, the crumbs that fall resemble snowflakes drifting down from the sky, hence the name “Snowflake.”

　　How to Make Suide Snowflake

　　The process of making the Snowflake is relatively complex and challenging. There are three major preparation steps.

　　First is “making the outer dough,” which is made by combining lard, flour, and boiling water. There is a specific ratio between the lard and flour, and the temperature of the water must be just right—too hot or too cold will result in an unsatisfactory Snowflake. Next is “making the inner dough,” known in the trade as “crumbly dough,” made by combining two parts flour with one part lard. Too much lard makes it overly crumbly and impossible to mold, like loose sand; too little results in a Snowflake that lacks crispness. The third step is “preparing the filling,” which involves mixing granulated sugar, roasted sesame seeds, peanuts, walnuts, roses, and a small amount of light oil until well blended.

　　The making of the Snowflake includes four main steps: “wrapping,” “molding,” “shaping,” and “baking.” First comes “wrapping”: the outer dough goes on the outside, the crumbly dough inside, with the filling enclosed, forming the Snowflake dough. Then comes “molding,” where the wrapped dough is pressed into a mold. After being removed from the mold, it becomes the preliminary Snowflake shape, also called the raw Snowflake. The raw Snowflake features delicate edge patterns and designs, making it very aesthetically pleasing. The final step is “baking.” The raw Snowflake is first placed on a flat griddle until it firms up slightly and turns a pale yellow. Then it is moved to an oven. During baking, the Snowflakes must be frequently turned to ensure even cooking. Though the oven temperature is high, skilled bakers can flip them expertly without burning their fingers. Once the Snowflakes turn uniformly yellow with slight charred edges, they are ready to be taken out and served.

　　After the 1980s, some began using electric ovens to bake Snowflakes. This method is more time-saving, simple, and quick. However, the quality of ovens-baked Snowflakes is inferior to those baked in traditional ovens. Oven-baked Snowflakes tend to have uneven heat exposure, lack charring along the edges, and do not develop the distinctive roasted aroma.

　　The Cultural Significance of Suide Snowflake

　　The history of making Snowflakes in Suide is long. It is said to date back to the Jin Dynasty, when the filling was simply sugar and they were made and consumed only at home. By the Qing Dynasty, sesame was added to the filling, and over time the recipe evolved and improved into what we know today as the Snowflake. Before liberation, only two or three households in the city, such as Wang Ziyin from Lijia Lane, made and sold Snowflakes. Since the 1980s, the number of Snowflake makers and sellers has gradually increased.

　　The round Snowflake symbolizes reunion, happiness, and harmony. On the evening of the Mid-Autumn Festival, people offer Snowflakes to the moon as a form of worship. At this time, a tall table is placed in the yard, with a large plate filled with Snowflakes on it, along with apples, grapes, pears, dates, watermelons, and other fruits. A round mirror is also placed on the table so that the moonlight shines directly onto its surface. By using the principle of plane mirror imaging, a reflection of the moon appears in the mirror, symbolizing that the moon goddess has been invited. Only then is the offering considered genuine and meaningful. The ritual begins with lighting incense, followed by family members, in order of seniority, devoutly burning yellow paper and kowtowing. After about 40 minutes, once most of the incense has burned out, the ceremony ends. Each person then eats a piece of the offered Snowflake, believed to bring blessings from the moon goddess. In particular, women who eat it are said to attain a complexion as fair and pure as Chang’e’s and a beauty as radiant as hers.