Dish

Taai-taai

Tough-tough

Taai-taai is a type of cookie that is made with flour, honey, and spices. The dough is rolled out and cut into shapes before being baked in the oven. The result is a chewy cookie that has a unique flavor and texture. Taai-taai is typically eaten during the Sinterklaas holiday season in the Netherlands. It is often served with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee.

European cuisine› Western European cuisine› Dutch cuisine

Dessert› Cookie

Origins and history

Taai-taai has been a traditional Dutch cookie for centuries. It is believed to have originated in the 17th century when Dutch sailors brought back spices from their travels to the East Indies. The cookie became associated with the Sinterklaas holiday season in the 19th century and has been a popular treat ever since.

Dietary considerations

Not suitable for those with gluten or dairy allergies as it contains wheat flour and butter. It is also high in sugar due to the use of honey as a sweetener.

Variations

Some popular variations of taai-taai include the addition of almond paste or candied orange peel to the dough. Others use molasses instead of honey as a sweetener.

Presentation and garnishing

Taai-taai is typically presented on a plate or in a cookie jar. It can be garnished with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey.

Tips & Tricks

To achieve the perfect texture, it is important to let the dough rest for at least an hour before rolling it out. This allows the flavors to meld together and the dough to become more pliable. It is also important to not overbake the cookies as they can become too hard and lose their chewy texture. If you want to make taai-taai that is less sweet, you can use a combination of honey and molasses as a sweetener.