IJzerkoekje facts for kids
An ijzerkoekje (say "eye-zer-KOOK-yeh") is a yummy, soft cookie from the Netherlands. It means 'iron cookie' because it's baked on a special iron plate. These cookies were a favorite snack for Dutch fishermen, especially in Vlaardingen. Vlaardingen was a very important harbor in the Netherlands during the 1800s and 1900s.
Ijzerkoekjes are oval-shaped and about half a centimeter thick. They have a delicious, creamy cinnamon taste. When they are baked, the special iron plate gives them a cool waffle-like pattern, a bit like stroopwafels.
Where Did They Come From?
People say that a grocer named "Daatje de Koe" (who lived from 1838 to 1915) made the very first Vlaardingse iron cookies. A grocer is someone who sells food and household items. After she started making them, other bakers in the city began to sell them too.
However, a baker from Vlaardingen named Hazenberg did some research. He looked through old records and found that these cookies might be even older. They could have been made as far back as the 1700s!
These cookies were very popular with fishermen. This is because they stay fresh and tasty for a long time. They also give you a lot of food energy (calories), which is important when you are working hard at sea.
Today, you can still find ijzerkoekjes in most pastry shops in Vlaardingen. You can even buy special waffle irons and "ijzerkoekje flour" to bake them at home!
How to Make Them
The exact recipe for ijzerkoekjes can be a little different from one baker to another. But here is a recipe that many people think is the original from a bakery in Vlaardingen. This recipe makes about 35 cookies.
- You will need:
* 450 grams of flour (if you can find it, "Zeeland" flour is best) * 325 grams of white or brown sugar * 300 grams of butter (or margarine) * Cinnamon to taste (as much as you like!) * A pinch of salt
Some people like to add a bit more flour. They might also add milk or water, an egg, or even some vanilla for extra flavor.
- To make the cookies:
* First, mix all the ingredients together to make a dough. * The original recipe says the dough should rest in the refrigerator for half a day. This helps the flavors mix. But not everyone does this step. * Next, roll out the dough. It should be about 6 to 8 millimeters thick. * Use an oval cookie cutter to cut out the cookie shapes. * Finally, cook the cookies on both sides on a special iron cookie iron. Cook them over medium heat for a few minutes on each side until they are golden brown.
Ijzerkoekjes in Sri Lanka
Did you know that cookies called ijzerkoekje are also popular in Sri Lanka? These cookies are considered a local food there. They were first made by the Burgher people. This group has a mix of European ancestors, including some from the Netherlands.
In Sri Lanka, these cookies are called 'ijzer' or 'ijzer koekje'. They are made with wheat flour, sugar, egg, coconut milk, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Butter or oil is only used to grease the baking iron, not in the dough itself. Right after baking, these iron biscuits are rolled around a stick that is about 1 to 1.5 centimeters wide.
These Sri Lankan cookies are related to Dutch stroopwafels. However, stroopwafels are larger, have syrup inside, and use more flour. They are also baked in a different kind of waffle iron.
