Posted on
by 
2 Comments Crisp, flaky and covered in caramelized sugar, Arnhemse meisjes are Dutch cookies that are perfect with a cup of coffee. This easy version uses store-bought puff pastry, with cinnamon, cardamom and lime zest added to the sugar topping.
I have a soft spot for Dutch cities that give their name to something delicious. Arnhem has its Arnhemse meisjes, so of course I had to make a batch myself. And with a recipe this simple, there’s really very little standing between you and a plate of homemade cookies!
Table of contents
Tip from Simone
The lime zest, cinnamon and cardamom give these cookies their little Almeerse twist, my version of girls from Arnhem, made in Almere. Finely grate the zest so it mixes evenly through the sugar, and avoid the bitter white pith.
What are Arnhemse Meisjes?
Arnhemse meisjes means “girls from Arnhem,” a city in the eastern Netherlands. These oval, sugar-coated cookies date back to 1829, when baker Hagdorn created them at Bakkerij van Zalinge in Arnhem. They became a popular local specialty, and bakers elsewhere in the Netherlands began making their own versions.
The “Arnhem” part of the name is straightforward, but the reason for calling them “girls” is less certain. One explanation links their shoe-sole shape to an old legend about Arnhem widows and burial customs. It’s a piece of local folklore rather than a firmly established origin story.
The original cookies are made with a buttery yeast dough. Many later versions use puff pastry, which is also what I use here. It makes this a simple homemade variation on the traditional cookie, with my own little twist in the topping.
And there’s a famous fan, too: Roald Dahl described his enthusiasm for the cookies in Roald Dahl’s Cookbook, which includes a recipe for them. Clearly, I’m in good company!
Recipe Ingredients
You only need a few ingredients for this easy puff pastry version.
- Puff pastry: I use frozen pastry squares, thawed before rolling. A larger sheet works too. All-butter puff pastry is a good choice for a rich, buttery flavor.
- Vanilla sugar: This gives the topping sweetness and a little vanilla flavor. If you can’t find it, regular granulated sugar works too.
- Cinnamon and cardamom: These add a little warmth to the sugar coating.
- Lime zest: A small amount brightens up the topping. Lemon zest is a good alternative.
- Egg wash: A light brushing helps the sugar stick to the pastry.
The spices and citrus are my additions, so you can leave them out if you prefer a simpler sugar topping.
How To Make Arnhemse Meisjes
Roll and cut the pastry
Thaw the puff pastry until you can work with it, but keep it cool. Sprinkle a little all-purpose flour over your work surface to prevent sticking.
If you’re using the small pastry squares, stack them and roll them out until the dough is about as thin as one original sheet. If you’re using a larger sheet, simply roll it out to a similar thickness.
Cut out the cookies with an oval cutter. I use a 3-inch cutter, but a round one works just fine if that’s what you have. Cut the shapes close together to get as many cookies as possible from the dough.
Add the sugar topping
Mix the vanilla sugar with the cinnamon, cardamom and finely grated lime zest.
Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush lightly with egg wash and sprinkle with an even layer of the sugar mixture. Gently press the sugar onto the surface so it sticks.
Alternatively, clean the flour from your work surface and sprinkle some of the sugar mixture over it. Lightly brush each cookie with egg wash, then gently press the brushed side into the sugar before placing it sugar-side up on the baking sheet.
Both methods work, so choose whichever you find easiest.
Rest and bake
Let the shaped cookies rest for about 20–25 minutes before baking. If your kitchen is warm, put the tray in the refrigerator to keep the pastry cool.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the sugar topping has caramelized. Start checking a little earlier if your cookies are particularly thin.
Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely. They become crisper as they cool, and that hot sugar topping is definitely worth waiting for!
How to Store Arnhemse Meisjes
Let the cookies cool completely before putting them in an airtight cookie tin or container. Keep them at room temperature in a dry place, and enjoy them within a few days for the best texture.
Avoid storing them with soft cookies, as moisture can soften the crisp pastry and sugar coating.
Serve with coffee or tea. Sometimes a simple homemade cookie is all you need! Looking for more easy Dutch recipes?
FAQ Arnhemse Meisjes
They’re quite different. This version uses puff pastry, giving the cookies a flaky texture and a crisp sugar topping. They don’t have the tender texture of a typical American sugar cookie.
No. Oval is the traditional shape, but a round cutter works too. You can also cut the pastry into rectangles with a sharp knife.
They may need a little longer in the oven, or they may still be warm. Bake until the pastry is golden, then let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Storing them while warm can also trap moisture and make them soft.
More Dutch Recipes
Dutch Spiced Breakfast Cake Recipe (Ontbijtkoek)
Recipe Card Arnhemse Meisjes
Arnhemse Meisjes Recipe (Dutch Sugar Cookies)
Ingredients
- 5 sheets puff pastry squares of 10 x 10 cm
- 100 gr vanilla sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cardemom
- zest of half a lime
- 1 egg for the egg wash
Equipment
- 3-inch oval cookie cutter
Titel
- 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 egg wash 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/ 350˚F and place 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
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.
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.
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!