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Taai-taai
Anise and honey biscuits
Taai-taai: chewy Dutch anise and honey figures for Sinterklaas
In the Netherlands, taai-taai ('tough-tough') are chewy honey and anise biscuits shaped into figures of Sinterklaas, his horse, windmills, sweethearts and animals, eaten from mid-November until his feast on 5 December. They contain no fat or egg, so they are firm and chewy rather than crisp, and they keep well. Bakers once used carved wooden moulds; cookie cutters work fine. Chef's tip: heat the honey only until runny, then let the dough rest overnight; the rest is what makes the chew.
- Total time
- 50 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 16
Ingredients
- 7 oz honey
- 1 ¾ oz golden or dark syrup
- 2 tbsp water
- 10 ½ oz plain flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 ½ tsp ground aniseed
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground cloves
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tbsp milk or waterfor brushing
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Warm 7 oz honey, 1 ¾ oz golden or dark syrup and 2 tbsp water until runny, without boiling. Cool to lukewarm.
3 minStep 2: Mix 10 ½ oz plain flour, 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda, 1 ½ tsp ground aniseed, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, 1 pinch ground cloves and 1 pinch salt. Pour in the honey mixture and knead to a smooth, firm dough. Wrap and leave at room temperature overnight.
5 minStep 3: Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F fan). Roll the dough about 6 mm thick and cut out figures. Set on lined trays.
15 minStep 4: Brush with 2 tbsp milk or water. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until risen, golden-brown and just firm. A common mistake is rolling too thin: they become hard instead of chewy.
16 minStep 5: Cool and store in a tin for up to 3 weeks.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 160 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 36 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does taai-taai take?
- About 50 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 16 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 honey?
- Maple syrup or golden syrup, same amount.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
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