A New Chapter in Cookie History
Montreal-born author Kat Lieu has created culinary history with her latest publication, 108 Asian Cookies, marking the world's first comprehensive Asian-themed cookie cookbook. Released in November 2025, this groundbreaking work features 108 unique recipes that blend traditional Asian flavors with classic cookie techniques, offering home bakers an entirely new perspective on holiday baking.
Revolutionary Christmas Cookie Recipes
Among the cookbook's standout creations are three particularly innovative Christmas cookie recipes that showcase Lieu's creative approach. The lemongrass and masala gingerbread cookies introduce warm, aromatic spices to the traditional holiday favorite. Ube Linzer cookies feature the vibrant purple yam popular in Filipino desserts, while matcha and cardamom brown butter blondies combine Japanese tea with South Asian spices for a sophisticated twist.
Lieu, who now resides in Renton, Washington, describes her approach as both respectful and innovative. "There has never been a book like this one—an Asian-themed cookie cookbook. Not in Asia, not in America, not in the world. So, this is history in the making," Lieu emphasizes in her introduction to the cookbook.
The Queen of Asian Baking's Journey
Before becoming known as the "Queen of Asian Baking," Lieu practiced as a doctor of physical therapy. Her culinary career took off in 2020 when she founded the online community Subtle Asian Baking, which has since raised approximately $102,000 for various charitable causes. The group's initial fundraiser collected $6,000 for Canadian resources supporting Asians with dementia, honoring Lieu's late father.
108 Asian Cookies represents Lieu's third cookbook, following 2022's Modern Asian Baking at Home and 2024's Modern Asian Kitchen. The author drew inspiration from her diverse heritage—with a Chinese mother from Hong Kong and Chinese Vietnamese father from Vietnam, plus Filipino cultural connections through her husband and son—to create recipes that pay homage to multiple Asian culinary traditions while introducing exciting new flavor combinations.
One of her most inventive creations includes peanut butter cookies with instant ramen inspiration, incorporating curry notes reminiscent of Tokyo ramen experiences. "Why don't we add a little bit of curry in there?" Lieu questioned conventional recipes, resulting in elevated versions that maintain familiarity while offering completely new taste experiences.
The cookbook also features traditional Asian treats like tamago boro (Japanese egg biscuits), ensuring both authenticity and innovation coexist within its pages. Through her work, Lieu aims to bring greater recognition to Asian baking traditions while expanding what's possible in the cookie world.
