Hertzoggie facts for kids
Hertzoggies being sold in a South African bakery for R5.99 (roughly US$0.42) each.
|
|
| Course | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Created by | unknown |
| Invented | 1920s |
| Main ingredients | Flour, salt, butter or margarine, sugar, eggs, apricot jam, baking soda, desiccated coconut |
| Variations | Multiple |
A Hertzoggie (say it: herts-og-ee) is a yummy South African treat! It's a small, jam-filled cookie or tart with a sweet coconut topping. It often sits on a little pastry base, like a tiny cup.
This cookie is a very popular dessert in South Africa. People often enjoy it with a cup of English tea. In the Cape-Malay community, Hertzoggies are a special treat during Eid, a big celebration. Many people even bake them at home to sell. This is part of a "cottage industry," meaning small businesses run from home. They sell Hertzoggies alongside other famous South African desserts like Koeksisters.
The Story Behind the Name
The Hertzoggie cookie is named after a famous South African politician. His name was J. B. M. Hertzog. He was the Prime Minister of South Africa from 1924 to 1939. He was also a general during the Second Boer War. People believe that Hertzoggies were his favourite sweet treat! His supporters even baked and sold these cookies to show they liked him and his ideas.
Why Was it Invented?
There are a few stories about how the Hertzoggie came to be. One popular story says that the Cape-Malay community created this dessert. They wanted to show their support for Hertzog. This was after he promised to give women the right to vote. He also promised equal rights to the "coloured" community in the 1920s.
Hertzog did keep his promise to give women the vote in 1930. But he didn't keep his promise about equal rights for the "coloured" community. Because of this, the community started baking the cookies differently. They added brown and pink icing. They called this "twee gevreetjie" (say it: tvee ge-vreet-chee). This Afrikaans phrase means "two-faced" or "hypocrite." It showed they were unhappy that he didn't keep his second promise.
Another idea about the cookie's origin is simpler. After the Second Boer War, it became a tradition in South Africa. People would name sweets and treats after national heroes. This was a way to honour them.
What's Inside a Hertzoggie?
Hertzogkoekies are made with a pastry base. This base is like a small, open cup. It's filled with yummy apricot jam. On top of the jam, there's a fluffy topping. This topping is made from desiccated (dried) coconut or grated coconut mixed into a meringue. Then, the whole thing is baked until it's golden and delicious!
