KAASTENGELS

Kaastengel (I wish spelling it right) is originally Dutch cookie and very popular in Indonesia. Most Indonesians are loved to have it in their home during 2 big holiday seasons, Eid Al Fitr (Indonesian: Lebaran) and Christmas.

Edam cheese, a traditional Dutch cheese, is usually used for kaastengels. Edam cheese is often combined with cheddar cheese or parmesan, depending on the family's favorite. You also can substitute the Edam or cheddar with Gouda cheese if required.

My bestie, Hedy, shared her mother recipe to me and I made it slightly different. It has been added more cheese than her original recipe, because my family loves it and also, I put baking soda in, to make it crispier. The butter is often getting oily, so if you are cooking in a tropical country, I suggest to put the dough in the fridge and take it out the part you are intending to mold it to its shape. It can avoid the butter melting too fast.

  Kaastengels Recipe

Ingredients: 

• 350 gram of grated Edam cheese (or cheddar cheese)
• 800 grams of all-purpose flour
• 500 grams of butter
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 white egg
• 1/2 tablespoon of baking powder
• salt to taste
• 50 grams of grated parmesan cheese  

Direction:

• Mix butter, egg yolks, and a white egg, then add the grated Edam or cheddar cheese.
• Add the flour, salt and baking powder and knead the mixture together.
• Roll the dough and cut into small rectangles. 
• Place them onto baking trays.
• Preheat the oven to 180°C.
• Brush each one with the egg yolk and sprinkle with grated parmesan.
• Bake until golden at about 20-25 minutes and leave it inside the oven for a while