The Dutch Christmas cake, also known as Stroopkoek, is perfect for cold days, with a taste that is truly reminiscent of Christmas, with fantastic aromas and flavors.
In fact, in the Netherlands, this cake is sold throughout the winter, but it’s a typical holiday treat. Perfect to enjoy with a nice cup of spiced tea or hot chocolate with cinnamon, perhaps by the fireplace! Am I teasing your curiosity? Get into the kitchen and make it!
For this recipe, I used La Trappe blonde beer included in this month’s Degustabox.
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 2 Hours
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 10People
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Central European
- Seasonality: Winter, Christmas
INGREDIENTS FOR DUTCH CHRISTMAS CAKE
- 2.5 oz whole cane sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups raisins (or half and half with dried red fruits)
- 3/4 cup walnut halves
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 1/3 cup pale ale beer
- 3 tbsp sugar syrup
- 1 packet baking powder
- 3 tsp spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves or pre-made gingerbread mix)
Tools
- 1 Cake Mold
PREPARATION FOR DUTCH CHRISTMAS CAKE
First, prepare the syrup: pour the sugar into a saucepan, transfer it to the heat and let it melt over low heat, without stirring, until it becomes a dark caramel.
Add the honey, let it dissolve completely, and finally add the butter in pieces and the aromas. Remove from heat and keep it warm.
Roughly chop the walnuts.
Soak the raisins and red fruits in cold water for about 40 minutes.Mix the dry ingredients: flour, spices, and baking powder. Mix the melted butter with the warm syrup and also add the beer. Let cool and then pour over the dry ingredients. Mix well and then add the walnuts and squeezed fruit.
Mix well with a spatula and then pour the batter into a high-edged pan (8 inches), greased and floured. Bake at 355°F for about 65-70 minutes.
Let the Christmas cake cool slightly and unmold it.
Adriana’s Advice
In the Netherlands, it is served with warm syrup poured over the slice of cake.
In the Netherlands, it is served with warm syrup poured over the slice of cake.
