Traditional wooden mooncake molds

These wooden mooncake molds were used by Library Officer, Mark, to stamp the floral designs on his homemade mooncakes at Osborne Library's Mooncake Festival celebration on Tuesday 7 October 2025. Mark borrowed these molds from fellow staff member, Brenda's mum. 

Traditional mooncake molds are made from a thick block of wood and shaped like paddles, and their designs are hand-carved by a skilled craftsperson.

In order to stamp the design onto the mooncakes, the mooncakes are pressed into the mold, which has been dusted with flour, and then to release the mooncake, you hit the paddle against a hard surface like a table or countertop.

Modern plastic molds are common and can be purchased in a range of interchangeable patterns with a spring-loaded plunger to help release the mooncake. However, the traditional wooden molds are still valued for their unique and detailed designs.