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Kerstkransjes
Almond butter ring biscuits
Kerstkransjes: Dutch almond butter ring biscuits hung on the Christmas tree
In the Netherlands, kerstkransjes are small, ring-shaped butter biscuits topped with flaked almonds and pearl sugar, traditionally threaded with a ribbon and hung on the Christmas tree for children to pick off. They are tender and buttery with a lemony crumb and a crunchy top, and keep well in a tin through the holidays. They take about 45 minutes from start to finish. Chef's tip: punch the centre hole slightly bigger than you want; it shrinks as the biscuits bake.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 24
Ingredients
- 5 ½ oz buttersoft
- 3 ½ oz caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ lemonzest only
- 1 eggbeaten, divided
- 8 oz plain flour
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 ⅜ oz flaked almonds
- 2 tbsp pearl sugar
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Beat 5 ½ oz butter, 3 ½ oz caster sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract and ½ lemon until creamy, then beat in half of ½ egg.
Step 2: Mix in 8 oz plain flour and 1 pinch salt to a smooth dough. Wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Heat the oven to 350°F (300°F fan). Roll out the dough 5 mm thick on a floured surface and cut rounds with a 6 cm fluted cutter, then punch a 2 cm hole in the centre of each. Set on lined trays.
10 minStep 4: Brush with the rest of ½ egg and press on 1 ⅜ oz flaked almonds and 2 tbsp pearl sugar.
Step 5: Bake for 12–15 minutes, until pale golden at the edges. A common mistake is rolling the dough too thin, which makes the rings snap when you thread them.
14 minStep 6: Cool on a rack, then thread ribbons through to hang them.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 110 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 12 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kerstkransjes take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 24 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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Perfect for:Christmas