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Home » Baking » Cookies

Published: Apr 12, 2017 · Modified: Sep 25, 2020 by Sandhya Ramakrishnan · This post may contain affiliate links

Jan Hagel Cookies | Dutch Shortbread Cookies

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Jan Hagel Cookies are delicious shortbread cookies spiced with cinnamon, topped with almonds and pearl sugar. Jan Hagel cookies are a traditional Dutch cookie.

Jan Hagel Cookies | Dutch Shortbread Cookies

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.

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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.

 Jan Hagel Cookies stacked and in bowl

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

Jan Hagel Cookies stacked one over other

Ingredients to make Jan Hagel Cookies - (makes about 28, 2 x 2 cookies)

  • All purpose flour - 2 cups
  • Butter - 12 tablespoon ( chilled and cubed)
  • Sugar - 1 cup
  • Cinnamon - 1 tsp
  • Salt - ½ tsp
  • Baking powder - ½ tsp
  • Milk - a few teaspoons (if needed, to bring the dough together)
  • Almonds - ½ cup (sliced)
  • Sugar - ¼ 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.
Adding dry ingredients and making dough
  • 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.
Prepping the Dough to bake
  • 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.
Baked and sliced cookies
  • Place the cut cookies on a rack to cook them completely.
Cookies Final shot

 If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter

jan hagel

Jan Hagel Cookies | Dutch Shortbread Cookies

Jan Hagel Cookies are delicious shortbread cookies spiced with cinnamon, topped with almonds and pearl sugar. Jan Hagel cookies are a traditional Dutch cookie.
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Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: European
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 28 pieces
Calories: 93kcal
Author: Sandhya Ramakrishnan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups All purpose flour
  • 12 tbsp Butter chilled and cubed
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons Milk if needed, to bring the dough together
  • ½ cup Almonds sliced
  • ¼ cup Sugar granulated

Instructions

  • 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 94mg | Potassium: 19mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 152IU | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhya.Ramakrishnan or tag #MyCookingJourney!
« Irish Freckle Bread With Potatoes And Raisins
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says

    May 29, 2017 at 2:11 am

    Awesome bake.. Loved this concept totally baking together and then slicing.. Great pick!

    Reply
  2. Pavani says

    May 15, 2017 at 2:53 pm

    Very interesting name for the cookies. They look crumbly and delicious.

    Reply
  3. Sapna says

    May 07, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    Shortbread cookies would make nice tea time snack, right? I am eyeing to bake them too.

    Reply
  4. Molly Kumar says

    May 03, 2017 at 1:41 am

    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 🙂

    Reply
  5. Donna says

    May 02, 2017 at 10:35 pm

    These cookies sound so so good! Loving the sliced almonds on top, so good!

    Reply
  6. Dene' V. Alexander says

    May 02, 2017 at 6:33 pm

    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!!

    Reply
  7. Daniela Anderson says

    May 02, 2017 at 5:02 pm

    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.

    Reply
  8. Traditionallymodernfood says

    May 02, 2017 at 3:44 pm

    Dutch shortbread cookies looks different. I never added cinnamon and baking powder for shortbread cookies with almonds this looks yum

    Reply
  9. Amy says

    May 02, 2017 at 9:47 am

    Such an interesting history behind these cookies. I love the simple, sweet flavor of jan hagel cookies.

    Reply
  10. valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says

    May 02, 2017 at 8:29 am

    I have never tried making shortbread cookies. I do enjoy eating shortbread cookies though, they are perfect with milk, coffee or hot chocolate.

    Reply
  11. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

    May 02, 2017 at 7:25 am

    I love homemade shortbread, it's far superior to anything you can buy int he store. Especially with the addition of nuts!

    Reply
  12. Veena Azmanov says

    May 02, 2017 at 7:20 am

    Those look so delicious Sandhya.. love the almond sprinkle. You have a amazing collection of cookies. Yum...

    Reply
  13. Adriana Lopez Martn says

    May 02, 2017 at 1:00 am

    Neve had dutch shortbread before your looks very nice I must try it soon =)

    Reply
  14. Christine McMichael says

    May 01, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    I could SERIOUSLY go for these right now, haha! They look so incredibly delicious. Yum!

    Reply
  15. ManilaSpoon says

    May 01, 2017 at 7:36 pm

    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!

    Reply
  16. Amanda says

    May 01, 2017 at 3:51 pm

    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.

    Reply
  17. Pam says

    May 01, 2017 at 3:31 pm

    These cookies look yummy. I like learning the history behind the recipes that you are cooking!

    Reply
  18. Jodi @ Create Kids Club says

    May 01, 2017 at 9:50 am

    I love your baking around the world theme! So fun and educational as well! These look yummy 🙂

    Reply
  19. Srivalli Jetti says

    April 20, 2017 at 1:48 am

    Wow cookies that look more like a burfi, must have tasted so good Sandhya...I love how nicely you have clicked the pics..

    Reply
  20. Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says

    April 19, 2017 at 11:39 am

    I am yet to try short bread cookies. These cookies are awesome. Bookmarking this to try later. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  21. Priya Suresh says

    April 15, 2017 at 11:13 am

    Wow, Jan hagel cookies rocks. Am in love with this dutch shortbread cookies Sandhya, now looking for a chance to bake some soon.

    Reply
  22. harini says

    April 14, 2017 at 9:27 am

    Lovely cookies, Sandhya. The pictures look so tempting.

    Reply
  23. Vaishali Sabnani says

    April 13, 2017 at 8:52 pm

    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 !

    Reply
  24. Sowmya says

    April 12, 2017 at 8:55 pm

    The cookies look fantastic Sandhya, especially the sliced almonds on top! Bookmarking this 🙂

    Reply

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I am Sandhya Ramakrishnan, author, recipe developer and photographer in this journey! 'My Cooking Journey' is all about family friendly Vegetarian and Vegan recipes from around the World with focus on Indian cuisine.

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