Datong mixed sugar mooncakes

Freshly baked Datong mixed sugar mooncakes [Photo/sxgov.cn]

It is a traditional Chinese custom to admire the bright moon and eat mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival. For many Datong locals, mixed sugar mooncakes are the best part of Mid-Autumn Festival.

Mainly originating in Youyu county and the city of Datong, mixed sugar mooncakes are a unique variety of mooncake in Datong without any fillings.

Unlike Cantonese and Suzhou-style mooncakes, Datong mixed sugar mooncakes are not formed by molds. The production process is very simple and reflects the forthright, bold, and unconstrained character of people in North China.

The mooncakes are made of 5 kilograms of flour, 1.5 kg of oil, and 1.5 kg of solid sugar. Cooks usually heat the sesame oil and solid sugar to liquid sugar, mix them with flour, add a little soda powder, knead the dough into mooncakes weighing 100 grams each, and then top the mooncakes with sesame seeds before baking them in the oven. 

Although there is no filling, mixed sugar mooncakes still boast a pleasant smell and sweet taste, and are both crispy and soft.