Natal is a time for warmth, love, and festive ambiance! Preparing for Christmas always includes a lot of baking in households around the globe. Kue Kering Natal, or Christmas cookies, are a staple in Indonesia and are usually served during the holiday season. These cookies are easy to make and are perfect for sharing with family and friends.
In this article, we will share 5 Resep Kue Kering Natal yang Lezat dan Mudah Dibuat di Rumah. These recipes are simple and do not require a lot of baking skills or experience. With just a few ingredients, you can create a delightful assortment of cookies that will bring joy to your loved ones during this festive season.
1. Nastar Cookies
Nastar Cookies are one of the most popular Christmas cookies in Indonesia. These cookies are small, round, and filled with pineapple jam. They are perfect for sharing and taste delicious with a cup of coffee or tea. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
– 500 grams of all-purpose flour
– 250 grams of unsalted butter, softened
– 5 egg yolks
– 200 grams of powdered sugar
– 1 can pineapple jam
Steps:
1. Preheat the oven to 150°C.
2. Mix the flour, butter, egg yolks, and powdered sugar in a bowl until the dough forms.
3. Divide the dough into small balls, about the size of a ping-pong ball.
4. Take one ball and flatten it with your thumb.
5. Place a small amount of pineapple jam, about the size of a pea, in the center of the flattened dough.
6. Fold the edges of the dough over the jam and roll it into a small ball.
7. Place the ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Repeat steps 4-7 with the remaining dough and jam.
9. Bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
10. Remove from the oven and let them cool before serving.
Pro Tips:
– To get the perfect shape for the nastar cookies, use a tart mold or cookie cutter.
– If you don’t like pineapple jam, you can use other types of fruit jam or chocolate spread as a filling.
2. Kastengels Cookies
Kastengels cookies are a traditional Dutch-Indonesian cookie that has become synonymous with Christmas in Indonesia. These buttery, cheesy cookies are the perfect snack to enjoy with a cup of hot tea. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
– 500 grams of all-purpose flour
– 250 grams of unsalted butter, softened
– 200 grams of grated cheddar cheese
– 5 egg yolks
– 1 teaspoon of salt
Steps:
1. Preheat the oven to 150°C.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, butter, grated cheddar cheese, egg yolks, and salt until the dough forms.
3. Divide the dough into small rectangles, about the size of a lipstick case.
4. Cut each rectangle into small strips, about 2 cm wide.
5. Roll each strip into a cylindrical shape.
6. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake the cookies for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and let them cool before serving.
Pro Tips:
– If you want to add more flavor to the kastengels, you can add herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough.
– To make the cookies more visually appealing, sprinkle sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top of the dough before baking.
3. Putri Salju Cookies
Putri Salju Cookies, or Mexican Wedding Cookies, are another popular Christmas cookie in Indonesia. These cookies are delicate, crumbly, and coated with powdered sugar, resembling snowflakes. They are easy to make and always taste great. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
– 250 grams of all-purpose flour
– 200 grams of unsalted butter, softened
– 50 grams of powdered sugar
– 50 grams of cornstarch
– 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
– 100 grams of powdered sugar for coating
Steps:
1. Preheat the oven to 160°C.
2. Mix the flour, butter, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract in a bowl until the dough forms.
3. Divide the dough into small balls, about the size of a ping-pong ball.
4. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake the cookies for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
6. Remove from the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes.
7. Roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat it evenly.
8. Let the cookies cool completely before serving.
Pro Tips:
– To achieve the perfect texture for the Putri Salju cookies, make sure to use cold butter.
– You can add chopped almonds or pecans to the dough to give the cookies a nutty flavor.
4. Kaastengels Kismis Cookies
Kaastengels Kismis Cookies are a twist on the traditional Kastengels cookies. These cookies have raisins in them, which make them sweeter and give them a chewy texture. The combination of flavors is perfect for the holiday season. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
– 500 grams of all-purpose flour
– 250 grams of unsalted butter, softened
– 200 grams of grated cheddar cheese
– 5 egg yolks
– 50 grams of raisins
– 1 teaspoon of salt
Steps:
1. Preheat the oven to 150°C.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, butter, grated cheddar cheese, egg yolks, salt, and raisins until the dough forms.
3. Divide the dough into small rectangles, about the size of a lipstick case.
4. Cut each rectangle into small strips, about 2 cm wide.
5. Roll each strip into a cylindrical shape.
6. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake the cookies for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and let them cool before serving.
Pro Tips:
– If you don’t like raisins, you can add other dried fruits like cranberries or apricots to the dough.
– If you want to make the cookies less sweet, you can reduce the amount of raisins.
5. Lidah Kucing Cookies
Lidah Kucing Cookies are thin, crispy, and light cookies that are perfect for any occasion. They are deliciously sweet and have a slight vanilla flavor. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
– 250 grams of all-purpose flour
– 200 grams of unsalted butter, softened
– 150 grams of powdered sugar
– 5 egg whites
– 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Steps:
1. Preheat the oven to 150°C.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, butter, powdered sugar, egg whites, and vanilla extract until the dough forms.
3. Fill a piping bag with the dough and attach a small round tip.
4. Pipe the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making long thin strips.
5. Bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
6. Remove from the oven and let them cool before serving.
Pro Tips:
– To get the perfect shape for the Lidah Kucing cookies, use a cookie press or a piping bag with a small round tip.
– You can add food coloring to the dough to make the cookies more visually appealing.
Conclusion:
Kue Kering Natal, or Christmas cookies, are a delightful addition to any holiday gathering. With these five simple and easy-to-follow recipes, you can make a variety of delicious cookies that everyone will love. From the classic Nastar Cookies to the more unique Kaastengels Kismis Cookies, these recipes are sure to impress.
In addition to these recipes, here are some pro tips to keep in mind:
– To ensure your cookies turn out perfect every time, be sure to use the correct measurements for the ingredients.
– Use good quality ingredients, especially for the butter and cheese. The better the quality, the better the taste of the cookies.
– Make sure the butter is softened before mixing it with other ingredients. This ensures that the dough will form properly.
– When baking, keep an eye on the cookies and take them out of the oven as soon as the edges turn golden brown. Overbaking can result in dry and burnt cookies.
– Let the cookies cool completely before storing them in an airtight container, as this prevents them from becoming soggy.
We hope these recipes and tips have inspired you to start baking this holiday season. Happy Holidays!