I was at the Ramadan bazaar recently, sweating my way through the delicious food stalls with my two boys in tow.
The scent of ayam percik and satay, the delightful chaos of all the best offers – and then, my son spotted it, a whole stall dedicated to kuih raya.
Rows and rows of kuih raya stacked high, ready to be taken home and enjoyed when Hari Raya finally arrives.
But something felt different.
As I scanned through all the different kinds of kuih raya, I realised I could only recognise a handful of classics – Kuih Kapit, Pineapple Tarts, Almond London.
The rest? They looked like something out of a trendy dessert feed.
Lotus Biscoff tarts, red velvet cookies, matcha almond crunch, Nutella tart bites – if i recall them all correctly.
I even saw a green almond london with pistachios because apparently, kuih raya now comes with a fine-dining twist.
Have I truly missed the trendy bus or is this just an evolution of our tastebuds?
A Nostalgic Bite: The Kuih Raya We Grew Up With
There’s something about traditional kuih raya that feels like home.
These aren’t just cookies – they’re memories and tradition wrapped up in a bite.
- Pineapple Tarts: Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth pastry wrapped around sweet pineapple jam. The one treat that’s always gone first in every house.
- Kuih Kapit (Love Letters): The ultimate test of patience. If you’ve ever tried making these crispy, delicate wafers with a brass mould over an open flame, you’ll know that eating them is way easier than making them.
- Almond London: The fancy, chocolate-coated cookie with a single almond inside. Because every Hari Raya, someone has to bring out a tray of these beauties.
- Semperit (Butter Cookies): The childhood favourite. Sweet, crumbly, and usually shaped like a little flower with a red dot in the middle.
- Dodol: Thick, sticky and dangerously addictive. If you grew up in a household where dodol was made fresh, congratulations, your childhood was legendary.
These and some other kuih raya classics are the ones that filled the house with a buttery, sweet smell long before Hari Raya even arrived.
They were a labour of love, made in huge batches because we knew guests (and, ourselves) would wipe out an entire tray in a matter of minutes.
New Kuih on the Block: The Rise of Trendy Hari Raya Treats
Fast forward to 2025, and kuih raya has levelled up.
While the classics still hold a special place in our hearts, the Hari Raya cookie scene has become way more experimental.
These days, it’s all about modern flavours, viral trends, and social media-worthy treats.
Raya cookies have taken inspiration from international flavours and premium ingredients – Biscoff, Nutella, matcha, red velvet, pistachio, and even cheesecake-inspired creations.
But are these new treats taking over, or are they just adding more variety to the kuih raya table?
Some argue that newer cookies lack the nostalgia and depth of traditional kuih.
There’s something special about a pineapple tart made from tried and tested recipe that no viral cookie can replace.
Others, however, love the fact that hari raya treats are evolving – because hey, why not have a bit of everything?
Is There a Kuih Raya Divide Between Generations?
So, I asked my mum if she wanted to try some of these ‘new and improved’ kuih raya for her guests this year.
You know, something different. Maybe a box of Lotus Biscoff tarts or matcha almond cookies?
She gave me the look – the one every Malaysian child recognises as a sign of disapproval.
And just like that, I knew.
For her, kuih raya should taste like home, like the buttery Semperit she used to help her mum pipe onto trays, like the pineapple tarts that must have just the right ratio of crumbly pastry to tangy pineapple jam.
Anything too modern? No, thank you.
But if I ask my boys? It’s a different story.
The more chocolate, Biscoff, and caramel drizzle, the better.
The classic kuih raya? Maybe they’ll give it a shot.
It’s clear that every generation has their own idea of what kuih raya should be.
But does it really matter?
Because when Hari Raya arrives, the one thing that never changes is the tray of cookies placed in the centre of the table, waiting to be shared.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri in advance from Motherhood with love to you and yours!
Old or new, may this season be filled with sweet moments, heartfelt reunions, and trays upon trays of kuih that bring smiles to every face – no matter the recipe.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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