I was very excited to find this cookie recipe to make for the alphabet J. The name of the cookie was very attractive to look into, and I was drawn by the easy procedure and ingredients that the recipe has. Jan Hagel (pronounced Yahn Hagel) is a Dutch cookie, that has been passed down generations after generations. Every family has a tradition of baking these cookies around Christmas time, but they are mostly baked year around.
The Jan Hagel cookies are made with butter and are topped with nuts and sugar. In 17th century, the sailors, common man and ordinary people were referred to as ‘janhagel’. These were the people who enjoyed them the most and hence it was a apt word for the cookie.
There is no clear theory on where the Jan Hagel cookie originated but it dates back to 17th century. Jan Hagel is referred to as Christmas tradition, but it is also baked as one of the main dessert for the Feast of St. Nicholas and its eve, which falls on 5th and 6th December each year. Since it is so close to Christmas, the cookies are baked through the season.
Keebler company used to manufacture the Jan Hagel Cookies, but they have stopped its production. The Jan Hagel cookies are very simple to bake and they are very rustic looking. The dough is spread in a baking tray and then are cut into pieces after baking. It sort of reminded me of making the burfis (Indian fudge). The cookies are made of basic shortbread cookies and is topped with sliced almonds and sugar. The cookies as such are very mildly sweet and the sugar crystals on top makes it perfect.
My other bakes in the A – Z Baking around the World Marathon –
A for Almond cookies from China
B for Bretzel Rolls from Germany
C for Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting from USA
D for Danish Cookies from Denmark
E for Empanada from Argentina
F for Franzbrötchen from Germany
G for Grissini from Italy
H for Hot Cross Buns from England
I for Irish Freckle Bread from Ireland
Preparation time – 10 minutes
Baking time – 20 to 25 minutes
Difficulty level – easy
Recipe adapted from – Mama’s Gotta Bake
Ingredients to make Jan Hagel Cookies – (makes about 28, 2 x 2 cookies)
- All purpose flour – 2 cups
- Butter – 12 tbsp ( chilled and cubed)
- Sugar – 1 cup
- Cinnamon – 1 tsp
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- Baking powder – 1/2 tsp
- Milk – a few teaspoons (if needed, to bring the dough together)
- Almonds – 1/2 cup (sliced)
- Sugar – 1/4 cup (granulated)
Procedure –
- I used my food processor to make the pastry dough. In the bowl of the food processor, combine all the dry ingredients; flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Pulse the mixer few times to mix.
- Add the chilled, cuber butter to the dry ingredients and pulse in little intervals. The mixture should come together as a dough. If not, add a little milk to bring the dough together.
- Grease a 12 x 8 sheet pan (rimmed) with butter and then layer it with parchment. Grease the parchment as well with butter.
- Spread the cookie dough evenly on the greased parchment. Use the back of a glass or your palm to spread the dough as evenly as possible.
- Brush the top of the dough with little water and then sprinkle the sliced almonds and sugar over the dough. Press it gently to make the nuts adhere to the dough.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Bake the cookies for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown.
- Remove the tray from the oven and when it is still warm, cut them into desired size.
- Place the cut cookies on a rack to cook them completely.
Pin the recipe to use it later –
Sowmya says
The cookies look fantastic Sandhya, especially the sliced almonds on top! Bookmarking this 🙂
Vaishali Sabnani says
I have been eyeing these cookies since I saw them on FB ! They look gorgeous , such a lovely color and you are right , they remind you of our barfi . Excellent bake !
harini says
Lovely cookies, Sandhya. The pictures look so tempting.
Priya Suresh says
Wow, Jan hagel cookies rocks. Am in love with this dutch shortbread cookies Sandhya, now looking for a chance to bake some soon.
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says
I am yet to try short bread cookies. These cookies are awesome. Bookmarking this to try later. Thanks for sharing.
Srivalli Jetti says
Wow cookies that look more like a burfi, must have tasted so good Sandhya…I love how nicely you have clicked the pics..
Jodi @ Create Kids Club says
I love your baking around the world theme! So fun and educational as well! These look yummy 🙂
Pam says
These cookies look yummy. I like learning the history behind the recipes that you are cooking!
Amanda says
These sound delicious. I love shortbread with a cup of tea. The recipe looks easy enough for even a beginning baker to make with good results.
ManilaSpoon says
I am drinking my tea right now and I can’t help but wish that I am enjoying it with 3 of these shortbread cookies! Looks buttery and yummy!
Christine McMichael says
I could SERIOUSLY go for these right now, haha! They look so incredibly delicious. Yum!
Adriana Lopez Martn says
Neve had dutch shortbread before your looks very nice I must try it soon =)
Veena Azmanov says
Those look so delicious Sandhya.. love the almond sprinkle. You have a amazing collection of cookies. Yum…
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I love homemade shortbread, it’s far superior to anything you can buy int he store. Especially with the addition of nuts!
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
I have never tried making shortbread cookies. I do enjoy eating shortbread cookies though, they are perfect with milk, coffee or hot chocolate.
Amy says
Such an interesting history behind these cookies. I love the simple, sweet flavor of jan hagel cookies.
Traditionallymodernfood says
Dutch shortbread cookies looks different. I never added cinnamon and baking powder for shortbread cookies with almonds this looks yum
Daniela Anderson says
I’ve got such a sweet tooth, l see something yummy and automatically think l should really have some. Lovely recipe, almonds always give a nicd texture and flavour.
Dene' V. Alexander says
These cookies like absolutely divine!! Would love to have a batch right now! Will have to try your recipe on a day when my sweet tooth is strong!!
Donna says
These cookies sound so so good! Loving the sliced almonds on top, so good!
Molly Kumar says
These shortbread cookies would make such an excellent snack along with a hot cup of tea. It looks easy to prepare too and definitely make once and enjoy 2-3 times kinda recipe 🙂
Sapna says
Shortbread cookies would make nice tea time snack, right? I am eyeing to bake them too.
Pavani says
Very interesting name for the cookies. They look crumbly and delicious.
Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says
Awesome bake.. Loved this concept totally baking together and then slicing.. Great pick!