Xiangning Mrs Pie originated from Tang Dynasty, when in Zhaoyuan Temple and Duo Bao Ling Yan Temple in Xiangning County was enshrined Sakyamuni. In the temple there was an eminent monk with the monastic name Master Jingkong, who was noble-minded and self-disciplined with good reputation. He devoted himself to the promotion of Buddhist culture and was known for his efforts.
Emptiness is the core of Buddha dharma, incomprehensible to secular people. On every eighth day of the fourth lunar month, all families in Xiangning make hollow cake and oily cake. In this special secular way, they express their sincerity to Buddha and also their best wishes: first to commemorate Sakyamuni (the eighth day of the fourth lunar month is his birthday); second to pray for happy and sweet life in the future; third to remind people of “emptiness” as the superior realm in Buddhism.
Along with the development of the era, people are paying more attention to nutrition and health. Mount Yun Mrs Pie is made by Ms. He Duozhi, wife of Mr. Zhang Lianshui, chairman of Mount Yun Tourism Development Co., Ltd. On the basis of making traditional hollow cake in Xiangning, she refined the formula according to scientific and reasonable nutrition. On the basis of the formula of original Xiangning hollow cake, which includes brown sugar, walnut, sesame and vegetable oil, brown sugar is reduced while honey, fresh rose, peanut kernel, sunflower seeds and other ingredients are added. The improved hollow cake tastes sweet and mellow but not greasy, and it is more nutritious. In order to meet the taste of different people, on the basis of the original sweet cake, salty solid cake is made through the addition of bitter almond, walnut, oil and other raw materials. One hollow cake and one solid cake mean honesty.
