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Dessert First

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Mooncakes in Mid-Autumn

Sep 28 by Anita 16 Comments

Whenever my parents come to visit from Hong Kong, I can guarantee that at least half of their suitcases will be filled with little treats and gifts for us. They’re great parents that way. When they arrived last weekend I knew that among the clothes, candies, and baked goods (yes, my mother has been known […]...

Filed Under: Asia, Travel Tagged With: hong kong, mooncake, travel

A Taste of Sadaharu Aoki

Aug 14 by Anita 35 Comments

edited on 1/24/07: I regret to say that as of today I will no longer be giving out the recipe to the matcha opera cake. Thank you to everyone who has expressed such interest in this creation and written me. I have to say that this is a deeply personal recipe for me, as I […]...

Filed Under: Cakes, Europe, Tarts, Travel Tagged With: bakeries, france, paris, sadaharu aoki, travel

Hong Kong Bakeries

Apr 9 by Anita 9 Comments

Just as there seem to be an infinite number of cuisines you can taste in Hong Kong, so there is a myriad of sweets and desserts to choose from.  Both traditional-style Chinese desserts and western/European style pastries seem to be increasingly in vogue, with dessert places popping up on every street. Whether you want traditional […]...

Filed Under: Asia, Sweet Spots, Travel Tagged With: bakeries, hong kong, travel

Dessert Before Dinner: Hui Lau Shan

Mar 20 by Anita 9 Comments

If you would like a refreshing break from walking around the streets of Hong Kong, there are few places more well known or more appealing than the Hui Lau Shan dessert restaurant chain.  Why don’t they have more of these types of places in the US instead of opening more Starbucks? (Actually, I just found […]...

Filed Under: Asia, Sweet Spots, Travel Tagged With: dessert, hong kong, hui lau shan, travel

HK Dim Sum, How I've Missed You

Mar 16 by Anita 6 Comments

Living in San Francisco, most people would think there is easy access to great Chinese food. I won’t say there isn’t good Chinese food to be found, just that it is not as prevalent as one would assume given the large Chinese population. The thing about Hong Kong is that not only is there great […]...

Filed Under: Asia, Travel Tagged With: dim sum, hong kong, travel

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best of dessert first


The Making of Macarons (Sucre Cuit Style)

Hong Kong Eggettes (Daan Jai)


Tis the Season (Chocolate Mint Macarons)

A Better Brioche


Consider the Humble Chocolate Chip Cookie

A Feast of Figs


Pure Dessert, Pure Inspiration (Chocolate Citrus Tart)

My Own Remembrance of Things Past: Daan Tats


The Slow Drip of Coffee on a Languorous Summer's Day

Still Life of Strawberry Tart

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about pastrygirl

Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, and dog Max. More about pastrygirl

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Please e-mail anita {at} dessertfirstgirl {dot} com with all collaboration inquiries, pastry questions, or just to say hi! I look forward to hearing from you!
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