Indulge in the delectable goodness of Dutch letter bars, a classic Dutch treat that combines the flavors of buttery shortcrust pastry, sweet almond filling, and a rich chocolate ganache topping. These elegant bars, also known as "letterkoekjes" or "Zeeuwse bolussen," are a staple in Dutch bakeries and a delightful addition to any coffee or tea gathering. With their distinctive rectangular shape and captivating combination of textures and flavors, Dutch letter bars are sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Discover the secrets to creating these irresistible treats with our carefully curated collection of recipes that cater to various tastes and skill levels. From traditional recipes that honor the original Dutch flavors to modern variations that add a contemporary twist, you'll find the perfect recipe to satisfy your cravings for this delectable delicacy.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
DUTCH LETTER BARS
A Dutch letter bar is a simplified version of a Dutch Letter pastry. Rich in almond flavor, buttery and flaky, these bars will have any pastry lover swooning in no time.
Provided by Michaela Kenkel
Categories Bars
Time 29m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9x13" baking dish, set aside.
- In your mixer cream together butter, sugar and egg until fluffy.
- Add in almond paste in small chunks while the mixer runs until it's all incorporated.
- Add in almond extract and flour and beat until combined.
- Spread into a prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the top with raw sugar or slivered almonds if desired.
- Bake for 20-24 minutes. Or until the top of the bars is golden brown and bars are set in the middle.
- Cool and slice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 320 calories, Carbohydrate 38 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 57 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 17 grams fat, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 4 grams protein, SaturatedFat 8 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 108 milligrams sodium, Sugar 25 grams sugar, TransFat 1 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams unsaturated fat
DUTCH LETTER BARS
These easy almond paste bars taste just like dutch letters, but are a super easy recipe to make. These dutch letter bars are addicting and delicious!
Provided by Jenni
Categories Dessert
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients together.
- Spread into a greased 9x13 pan.
- Sprinkle the top with sugar.
- Bake for 30-305 minutes, or until the top is just slightly golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 439 calories, Carbohydrate 58 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 72 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 22 grams fat, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 5 grams protein, SaturatedFat 11 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 136 grams sodium, Sugar 40 grams sugar, TransFat 1 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams unsaturated fat
DUTCH LETTERS
These S-shaped super flaky butter pastries filled with almond paste and topped with crunchy sugar are popular in both Iowa and Holland during the Christmas season. Here's a recipe that will let you make and enjoy them all year round. -Shirley De Lange, Byron Center, Michigan
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h20m
Yield 28 pastry pieces.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large bowl, beat the almond paste, sugar, egg and extract until smooth. Divide into 4 portions. On lightly floured waxed paper, roll each portion into a 12x1/2-in. rope; set aside., In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide into 4 portions. , On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion into a 14x6-in. rectangle. Place 1 almond paste rope in the center of each rectangle. Moisten long edges of dough; fold over filling. Press seam to seal; tuck in ends., Transfer seam side down to greased baking sheets; form each into an "S" shape. Whisk egg white and water; brush over dough. Using a fork, prick tops at 1-in. intervals to vent., Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. To serve, cut into 2-in. pieces.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 248 calories, Fat 16g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 42mg cholesterol, Sodium 182mg sodium, Carbohydrate 25g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
DUTCH LETTER BARS
Growing up in Iowa, you become accustom to the seasonal trips to Pella and the delicious Dutch Letters from Jaarsma Bakery. This recipe lets you replicate the Dutch Letter with out the trip. This recipe appeared in the Des Moines Register a number of years ago.
Provided by Chef Chad
Categories Bar Cookie
Time 40m
Yield 12-16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a mixer, combine ingredients and blend well. Spread in 9X13 in pan. Brush with egg whites, sprinkle with sliced almonds and coarse sugar.
- Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown. Do not over bake.
DUTCH LETTER BARS
I recently enjoyed these at a 4th of July celebration. The recipe is from the wonderful magazine "Our Iowa" -- the June/July 2010 edition, and it was submitted by B. Weiser. Here's HER description as written in the magazine, "My family is Dutch, and my aunt passed down her traditional Dutch letter recipe to me. I used to make them all the time, but they take a lot of time. Then I found this recipe. It's so easy to make but tastes so much like my aunt's recipe. My family actually requests these bars now more often than the traditional Dutch letters!" Let me concur, they're so much easier to make than traditional Dutch Letters and they taste INCREDIBLE!
Provided by AngieME
Categories Bar Cookie
Time 45m
Yield 36 bars, 36 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream margarine, butter and eggs.
- Beat in almond paste.
- Add sugar and flour; mix well.
- Spread into a greased 13" x 9" x 2" baking pan.
- Sprinkle the top with a small amount of sugar and the almonds.
- Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until the top is browned. Cool before cutting. Makes 3 dozen.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 148, Fat 7.3, SaturatedFat 2.4, Cholesterol 17.1, Sodium 56.9, Carbohydrate 19.7, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 13.5, Protein 1.7
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the cookies will be. Use real butter, not margarine, and use high-quality chocolate chips.
- Chill the dough before baking: Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too much.
- Use a cookie scoop: A cookie scoop helps ensure that all of the cookies are the same size and shape. This will help them bake evenly.
- Bake the cookies at the right temperature: The temperature of the oven will affect the texture of the cookies. For crispy cookies, bake them at a higher temperature. For chewy cookies, bake them at a lower temperature.
- Don't overbake the cookies: Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Bake the cookies just until they are set.
- Let the cookies cool completely before storing them: This will help the cookies keep their shape and prevent them from becoming too soft.
Conclusion:
Dutch letter bars are a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a variety of flavors and toppings to choose from, there is sure to be a Dutch letter bar that everyone will love. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy snack or a special treat for a party, Dutch letter bars are a great option.
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