Try these delicious Dutch sugar cookies: Arnhemse meisjes
I told you earlier that I have a weak spot for those cities and regions in the Netherlands that proudly connect their name to a local delicacy… Like the Arnhemse Meisjes.
So of course we had to try and make Arnhemse meisjes ourselves. The easy recipe is super simple and serving your own self baked cookies over coffee is always a winner!
The writer Roald Dahl apparently was so impressed with these famous cookies that he has written the recipe in Roald Dahl’s cookbook. Apparently it is called “revolting cookbook” Not sure what that says about the other recipes in there…
Arnhem girls
The literal translation of this Dutch recipe is Arnhem girls. The cookies are from the city of Arnhem, which is a fun city here in the Netherlands. You can also call them Dutch sugar cookies if you like. Making these traditional Dutch cookies is super easy to do.
Traditionally they are made into an oval shape but if you don’t have an oval shape you can use a round one. I used a 3-inch oval cutter to make the shapes of the cookies.
The basis of this traditional cookie is puff pastry. You can either buy a whole sheet of puff pastry of you can use square puff pastry sheets. I buy the frozen variety for easy of use.
I defrost the pastry sheets and place them on top of one another. I then roll out the pastry until it has a thickness of the original one sheet.
Before doing that I sprinkle some all purpose flour on top of the work surface to prevent sticking to it. Cover the dough with plastic wrap until you’re ready to finish the cookies.
Sprinkle on top
Arnhem biscuits or Arnhemse meisjes are also called sugar cookies so you probably guessed there should be a sugar on top. In order to make that you can use vanilla sugar, brown sugar or whatever other sugar you like. I mix the vanilla sugar with cinnamon and cardamom and the zest of 1 lime or lemon.Â
I then place the dough on the surface and cut the dough with the cookie cutter. The cut out cookies are placed on a silicone mat or baking sheet , brush them with egg wash and sprinkle sugar on top of the dough. Press it in lightly with your hands. How much sugar you need is more or less a personal preference.
A thin even layer should do the trick.
Another easy way to place the sugar on top of the cookies by removing the flour from the kitchen surface first. Instead of sprinkling the sugar on top of the cookies you sprinkle the sugar on top of the work surface. You brush the dough with egg wash and you then press each cookie into the sugar mix gently. Remove and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. The end result is more or less the same. Whichever method you prefer is up to you.
You then place the cookies in the middle of the preheated oven and bake them in about 25 minutes or until the sugar is caramelized nicely. Make sure you cool them properly on a wire rack until completely cooled before you take a big bite. You will find that these cookies are famous for a good reason. It’s one of the best biscuit recipes out there and one of the easiest too.
One note on the original recipe for these cookies which is from baker Hagdorn from the city of Arnhem. The original recipe is made with yeast and will definitely be different. However this easy version of this famous Dutch food is a pretty good variation and easier too. I say that’s a win-win situation right?
When you’ve made the cookies it is best to keep them in a cookie jar so they remain crisp for a long time. They’re best served with a delicious cup of tea or coffee or a glass of warm milk. But the last one might be typically Dutch.
More Dutch recipes
If you like famous cookie recipes, I will be sharing more traditional Dutch recipes soon.Â
Arnhemse meisjes
Equipment
- 3-inch oval cookie cutter
Ingredients
- 5 sheets of puff pastry squares of 10 x 10 cm
- 100 gr vanilla sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cardemom
- zest of half a lime
- Take your puff pastry from the freezer and defrost.
- Sprinkle some flour on the kitchen counter. Stack the sheets of puff pastry on top of each other and roll them out with a rolling pin. You want those five sheets to end up being as thin as one sheet.
- Using a round or oval form press into the puff pastry and try to be as economical doing that as possible. You want to have as many cookies as you can.
- Mix the vanilla sugar with the cinnamon, cardemom and limezest in a little bowl
- Remove the flour from the counter and sprinkle with a bit of the sugar mix.
- Brush your puff pastry with a little bit of eggwash and than dip into the sugar mix and roll them softly to press the sugar in.
- Put your sugary puff pastry on a baking sheet (greased or with baking paper) and leave the dough to rest for about 20 to 25 minutes. this will make the cookies even crisper.
- Preheat the oven in the meantime to 180 C and put the baking tray in the oven.
- bake the cookies golden brown in about 25 minutes and make sure the sugar is caramelised nicely
- And voila, Girls from Arnhem with an Almeerse twist
- Voila, Arnhemse Meisjes met een Almeerse twist.
Nutrition Information per portion
Disclaimer
The nutritional values above are calculated per portion. The details are based on standard nutritional tables and do not constitute a professional nutritional advice.
3 comments on “Try these delicious Dutch sugar cookies: Arnhemse meisjes”
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I’m just wondering how in all years I’ve live in the Netherlands I’ve never tasted these… Unbelievable! Very cute cookies and gorgeous photos!
What a nice cookie! And so easy to make, too. I always have puff pastry in the freezer — definitely need to make these! Thanks so much.
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