Kerstkransjes – Dutch Christmas Cookies
Recipe: Kerstkransjes – Dutch Christmas Cookies
Kerstkransjes, Dutch Christmas Cookies are the cutest, easiest cookies I’ve baked. These cookies are unique in that they are traditionally wreath shaped and hung on Christmas trees. How cute is that! With lemon zest they are flavourful and the topping adds a bit of a crunch. Melt in the mouth kind of cookies, you can bake them with your kids. They can help with the topping and cutting the cookies.
Memories
The first time I baked these cookies were in Dec 2015. Hubby and I were going to Dubai to visit our son for Christmas. It also meant that we would be spending our first Christmas with our daughter in law. She loves cookies and I wanted to take some that were not only delicious but also gave a Christmasy feel. My search over the website took me to Kerstkransjes and I was hooked! By the way please don’t ask me to pronounce Kerstkransjes! It is difficult. It is something like “karstkranche”. The cookies were a hit and my daughter in law and her family loved that I had tied a ribbon to each one and wrapped them up as individual gift.
A Bit About Krestkransjes – Dutch Christmas Cookies
Kerstkransjes literally mean little Christmas wreaths. These cookies are tied with ribbons to decorate the Christmas tree. The best part is that these cookies can be decorated with sliced almonds, sugar granules, chocolate, sprinkles. Actually whatever you fancy. They are nice fillers for Christmas goodie bags or even as a present. The cookies turn out crisp and buttery, much like shortbread. If you don’t want them as a wreath shape, then you can have them star shaped or any shape you prefer. Try dipping one end of the cookie in melted chocolate.
Christmas Tree Decorations & Memories
Besides the usual balls, baubles, tinsel, etc Christmas Trees can be with fruits, chocolates, paper doilies, laces, sweets, flowers, twine, crepe paper and other unusual materials. When I was in Primary school, I remember our teacher would request every student to bring something from home to decorate the tree in the classroom. I remember cautiously taking a red or green christmas ball, carefully wrapped in cotton wool and placed in a box. There were no bubble wraps in those days and the balls were made of fragile material and not plastic like nowadays. Each and every student would then carefully place the decoration on the tree. There would be so much excitement.
After school closed down for Christmas Holidays we had to go to the shop to help out. My dad and uncle owned a toy shop and December was the busiest ever time for them. We’d help with wrapping the gifts, put price tags, help customers, etc. We would also help my dad decorate the Christmas Tree with mini toys. That was so much fun.
Talking about different tree decors, my cousin came across a tree in Nairobi that was decorated with the famous Kenyan Beer Cans. Yesm Tusker is a popular brand.
More Cookie Ideas
Sharing This Recipe With Sunday Funday
For this weekend I suggested Christmas Bake as the theme. As Christmas is round the corner, most people are busy baking cookies , breads, pies, scones to give away as edible gifts for their parties. I have baked Krestkransjes for this theme.
Check Out The Christmas Bakes By Other Members
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Czech Christmas Bread by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Holly Jolly Triple Chocolate Cookies by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
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Krestkransjes, Dutch Christmas Cookies by Mayuri’s Jikoni
Russian Tea Biscuits (not cookies) by Palatable Pastime
Can I Make Krestkransjes, Dutch Christmas Cookies Eggless?
Yes you can, replace the egg with milk. I have tried out the egg free version and they turn out good. Just make sure you add milk tbsp at a time till you get a pliable dough.
Ingredients Required For Krestkransjes – Dutch Christmas Cookies
Flour
All purpose flour, maida, plain flour. Need a bit of extra flour for dusting when you roll out the dough.
Baking Powder
Need it as a leavening agent.
Butter
Can use salted or unsalted butter. If you use unsalted then add ¼ tsp salt to the flour before making the cooking dough. The butter has to be cold. Best to cut it into small pieces and allow it to get cold in the fridge. Replace dairy butter with vegan butter for vegan cookies.
Sugar
Use caster sugar. I find that when in Kenya and India ⅓ cup of sugar is enough as it tends to be sweet. In Canada, the caster sugar is not that sweet so I sometimes use ½ cup.
Lemon Zest
Grated lemon rind. When you grate the lemon skin make sure you don’t scrape the white part of the lemon. The white part is bitter. If you don’t want to add lemon zest then replace it with vanilla extract.
Egg
I have used medium egg. If you don’t want to add an egg then replace it with milk. Add milk tablespoon at a time to form a pliable dough. I usually use about 4-5 tbsp. For a vegan version omit the egg. Add almond milk instead.
Milk
Need little milk for brushing. Can replace it with egg wash if you want to. For vegan cookies use plant based milk for brushing.
Topping
Can top the cookies with almond, pistachio slivers. Sprinkles, coloured sugar, melted chocolate.
KERSTKRANSJES, DUTCH CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Ingredients
FOR THE COOKIE DOUGH
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 150 g cold butter chopped into small pieces
- ⅓ -½ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 medium egg
- extra flour for dusting
- 2 tbsp milk
- sliced almonds
- sliced pistachios
- sugar granules
- sprinkles
- cocoa powder
- melted chocolate
Instructions
- Mix plain flour and baking powder.
- Add salt if you are using any.
- Add the cold butter and rub it into the flour. Rub it in with your finger tips till the flour resembles bread crumbs.
- Add the zest and sugar. Mix well.
- Add the egg. Form a dough.
- Make the dough into a round ball. Wrap it with a cling film.
- Put it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 160°C.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Dust the worktop lightly with flour. Roll the dough to about ¼" thickness.
- Cut shapes using a cookie cutter or cutters.
- Use a small bottle top or small cookie cutter for the middle. Cut the middle to create a hole.
- Carefully place the cut cookies on the baking tray.
- Re roll the remaining dough and cut cookies.
- Brush the cookies with milk. Sprinkle the toppings of your choice on it.
- Bake them for 15-20 minutes till they are lightly pinkish around the edges.
- Remove the cookies from the oven.
- Allow them to cool in the tray for 2-3 minutes.
- Place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store them in an airtight container.
- Tie them with ribbons and hang them on the Christmas Tree.
Notes
- Use an egg wash to brush the tops of the cookies instead of milk.
- If you want to dip or drizzle the cookies with chocolate, do so after the cookies are completely cool.
- No of cookies will depend on the size of the cutter.
- If you find the dough a bit dry, add 1-2 tbsp of milk.
- Don't use too much flour for dusting. It will make the dough hard.
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19 Comments
Iced Eggnog Chewy Spice Cookies
December 3, 2023 at 11:37 am
[…] Krestkransjes, Dutch Christmas Cookies by Mayuri’s Jikoni […]
Colleen – Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck
December 3, 2023 at 12:03 pm
These cookies are darling…I can’t decide which I like the most, the wreaths or the stars. And what great childhood memories. Decorating the tree is always something I look forward to each year…perhaps that’s why I can never stop at one. This year, we have a full-size tree, a pencil tree, and two smaller trees. Happy Holidays and thanks for the great cookie recipe.
mayurisjikoni
December 4, 2023 at 5:28 pm
Thanks Colleen and this year I may not bring in a tree, too much hassle taking it up to the apartment. An artificial one will have to do.But your place must be so festive and cozy.
Wendy Klik
December 3, 2023 at 6:47 pm
I have 4 dogs so I’m not hanging these cookies on a tree but I might make them to place on a cookie platter. They sound delicious.
mayurisjikoni
December 4, 2023 at 5:27 pm
Thank you so much Wendy. I don’t think we too can hang them on the tree otherwise my son’s dog with definitely bring the tree down:)
Seema Sriram
December 21, 2023 at 1:09 am
These cookies are so delightful. There are so many traditions and festive baking that is fun to learn from.
mayurisjikoni
December 21, 2023 at 7:20 pm
Thank you so much Seema, and I agree with you it is so much fun to learn traditional recipes. I’ve still got to try out mince pies.
Karen’s Kitchen Stories
December 3, 2023 at 7:09 pm
What a fun post! All the memories. I love the beer can tree, lol! I bet all of your friends were jealous about your dad owning a toy store, lol! And these cookies look and sound delicious.
mayurisjikoni
December 4, 2023 at 5:26 pm
Thank you so much Karen, though we had a toy shop, we didn’t get all the toys we wanted. These cookies are delicious and fun to make.
Sneha Datar
December 5, 2023 at 9:01 am
Loved reading your post and the memories, beautifully baked cookies, perfect for a cookie platter!
mayurisjikoni
December 8, 2023 at 4:52 pm
Thank you so much Sneha.
Archana
December 20, 2023 at 11:17 pm
I have been looking at these cute kerstkransjes to bake for Christmas. In fact I have not baked in ages so my festive start will be with these cookies. They sound and look so cute and delicious.
mayurisjikoni
December 21, 2023 at 7:22 pm
Thanks Archana, they are definitely very cute, festive and delicious. So hope you’ve baked them.
Kalyani
December 21, 2023 at 12:41 am
These cookies are such an adorable edible gifting! So new to me to read these are used as x mas decor too .. am sure your DIL and her family were so happy to receive this 🙂
mayurisjikoni
December 21, 2023 at 7:21 pm
Thanks Kalyani, the family was happy with home baked cookies, but none went on the tree!
Jayashree. T. Rao
December 21, 2023 at 3:34 am
These are lovely cookies for the Christmas. I missed baking any of them this year. Will bake the egg free version one atleast now. Lovely share.
mayurisjikoni
December 21, 2023 at 7:16 pm
Thanks Jayashree. Hope you enjoy them and it is never too late to bake cookies.
Preethicuisine
December 21, 2023 at 7:57 pm
These Dutch Christmas cookies look scrumptious. There’s cookies are exhibiting a festive vibe. So beautifully baked .Can’t wait to make them soon .
mayurisjikoni
December 23, 2023 at 8:30 pm
Thank you so much Preethi. I enjoyed baking them. Am so happy with the end result.