As Christmas is just around the corner, it is time to prepare ourselves with the blessings of the festival along with the sweet delicacies it brings. In Indonesia, each region has its own way of celebrating the festival, starting with the decorative ornaments, clothes, and of course, the cuisine. Among the many mouth-watering treats, one of the most popular Christmas delicacies in Indonesia is Kue Kering Natal or Christmas Cookies. In this article, we will introduce five Kue Kering Natal Khas Manado yang Menyegarkan or Refreshing Manado-style Christmas Cookies, which will surely tantalize your taste buds.

Manado is the largest city in North Sulawesi, a province located in the eastern part of Indonesia. The culture, traditions, and cuisine of Manado are very different from the rest of the country as it has been influenced by several Asian and European cultures. The region boasts a variety of ingredients that are used in their cuisines, which has led to a unique blend of flavors. From savory to sweet delights, Manado has it all. Let’s explore the five Resep Kue Kering Natal Khas Manado yang Menyegarkan.

1. Kastengel Keju Manado

Kastengel Keju Manado is a popular Christmas cookie in Manado. The cookie is made with a combination of butter, flour, and cheese, giving it a savory and buttery flavor. The cookie is very simple to make, and you can easily bake them at home. Here is the recipe for Kastengel Keju Manado:

Ingredients:
– 250 grams of butter
– 500 grams of flour
– 150 grams of grated cheddar cheese
– 50 grams of grated parmesan cheese
– 1 egg yolk
– 1 teaspoon of salt

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Mix flour, butter, and egg yolk. Knead until the mixture becomes smooth.
3. Add grated cheddar cheese, grated parmesan cheese, and salt into the mixture. Mix well.
4. Shape the dough into small round shapes.
5. Place the dough in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Pro Tip: You can add more cheese to give the cookie a cheesy flavor.

2. Coklat Kacang Mete

Coklat Kacang Mete is a Christmas cookie that is very popular in Manado. The cookie is made with cocoa powder and cashew nuts, which gives it a rich and nutty flavor. If you are a chocolate lover, you will surely enjoy this treat. Here is the recipe for Coklat Kacang Mete:

Ingredients:
– 100 grams of cashew nuts
– 200 grams of dark chocolate
– 50 grams of butter
– 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
– 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 160°C.
2. Roast the cashew nuts for 10 minutes and then crush them into smaller pieces.
3. Melt butter and dark chocolate in a pan over low heat.
4. Once the chocolate mixture is melted, add the cocoa powder and powdered sugar. Mix well.
5. Add the crushed cashew nuts to the mixture and stir.
6. Pour the mixture into a baking dish lined with parchment paper.
7. Let it cool and harden for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator.
8. Once hardened, cut the chocolate into small bite-sized pieces, and the cookie is ready to be served.

Pro Tip: Add a pinch of salt to enhance the chocolatey flavor.

3. Nastar Durian Manado

Nastar Durian Manado is a unique and delicious Christmas cookie that is popular in Manado. The cookie is filled with durian paste, which gives it a rich and creamy flavor. It’s very easy to prepare and has a remarkable texture. Here is the recipe for Nastar Durian Manado:

Ingredients:
– 250 grams of flour
– 200 grams of butter
– 50 grams of powdered sugar
– 2 egg yolks
– 1 can of durian paste

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Mix flour, butter, egg yolks, and powdered sugar until smooth.
3. Take a small amount of the dough and shape it into a small ball.
4. Flatten the ball with your palm and put a small amount of durian paste in the center.
5. Fold the edges to make a ball again.
6. Place the dough balls in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Pro Tip: Mix the durian paste with cream cheese to make it creamier.

4. Kue Putri Salju Manado

Kue Putri Salju Manado is a classic Christmas cookie that is very popular in Manado. The cookie is made with flour, butter, and powdered sugar, giving it a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The cookie is also coated with powdered sugar, which gives it a snow-like appearance. Here is the recipe for Kue Putri Salju Manado:

Ingredients:
– 250 grams of flour
– 200 grams of butter
– 50 grams of powdered sugar
– 2 egg yolks
– 100 grams of finely grated coconut
– Powdered sugar for coating

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Mix flour, butter, egg yolks, and powdered sugar until smooth.
3. Take a small amount of the dough and shape it into a small ball.
4. Roll the ball into finely grated coconut, covering it well.
5. Place the dough balls in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Once the cookies have cooled, coat them with powdered sugar.

Pro Tip: Add almond extract for a nutty flavor.

5. Kue Semprit Susu

Kue Semprit Susu is a simple yet delicious Christmas cookie that is popular in Manado. The cookie is made with a combination of butter, flour, and milk. The milk gives it a smooth texture and adds a hint of sweetness. Here is the recipe for Kue Semprit Susu:

Ingredients:
– 250 grams of flour
– 200 grams of butter
– 50 grams of powdered sugar
– 2 egg yolks
– 2 tablespoons of powdered milk

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Mix flour, butter, egg yolks, and powdered sugar until smooth.
3. Add powdered milk to the mixture and mix well.
4. Shape the dough into small round shapes.
5. Place the dough in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Pro Tip: Add vanilla extract for a sweet aroma.

In conclusion, Kue Kering Natal Khas Manado yang Menyegarkan or Refreshing Manado-style Christmas Cookies are a perfect treat for the festival season. The unique and diverse ingredients used in these cookies give them their own distinct flavors. With the above-mentioned recipes, you can easily prepare these delicious treats at home. So, why not try these five Resep Kue Kering Natal Khas Manado yang Menyegarkan this Christmas and indulge in the festive happiness.

Pro Tips:

– Use parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet.
– Always preheat the oven and bake the cookies at the required temperature and time.
– Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep their texture and flavor intact.