South African Traditional Soetkoekies Sweet Cookies Recipe

Indulge in the taste of South African history with these irresistible Soetkoekies! A beloved holiday treat passed down through generations, this recipe boasts a unique blend of Dutch and Malay influences, reminiscent of delicate speculaas biscuits. Traditionally made with rendered animal fat for an incredibly crispy texture, this adapted version uses readily available ingredients while maintaining that authentic crunch. Roll the dough paper-thin for perfectly crisp cookies, perfect for summer days (or any day!). Get ready to bake up a batch of these addictive, melt-in-your-mouth delights – a true taste of South Africa!

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 65 mins
Calories 78.2 kcal
Protein 1g
Rating Be the first
South African Traditional Soetkoekies Sweet Cookies 62

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for South African Traditional Soetkoekies Sweet Cookies

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How to Make South African Traditional Soetkoekies Sweet Cookies

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and shortening until light and fluffy.
  3. Gradually add the sugar, beating until well combined.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  7. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/6 inch (4mm) thickness.
  8. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Alternatively, cut into squares or diamonds.
  9. Place the cookies onto ungreased baking sheets.
  10. Bake for 7-8 minutes per baking sheet, or until the edges are golden brown. Keep a close eye on them as they bake quickly.
  11. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

3 g

Sugar

21g

Fat

7g

Carbs

4g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Sweets & Sides Desserts Salmon Recipes Shrimp Recipes European Southern African Summer Recipes Holiday Recipes Baking

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion South African Desserts African Easy Heirloom Historical Holiday Event Cookies And Brownies Pasta Rice And Grains 4 Hours Or Less

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make South African Traditional Soetkoekies Sweet Cookies?

South African Traditional Soetkoekies Sweet Cookies takes about 95 minutes from start to finish — roughly 30 minutes to prepare and 65 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in South African Traditional Soetkoekies Sweet Cookies?

South African Traditional Soetkoekies Sweet Cookies has approximately 78.2 calories per serving, with about 1 g protein, 4 g carbohydrates and 4 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for South African Traditional Soetkoekies Sweet Cookies?

The key ingredients for South African Traditional Soetkoekies Sweet Cookies are Cake Flour, Brown Sugar, Baking Soda, Cream Of Tartar, Ground Cloves, Ground Cinnamon. See the full list with measurements above.

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