Kruidkoek
Kruidkoek, also known as Dutch gingerbread, is a dense, moist, and warmly spiced cake. It's flavored with a blend of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and often includes ingredients like dark brown sugar and syrup for moisture and depth. Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea, it's a beloved treat, especially during colder months.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Self-rising flour
- 260 g Dark brown sugar
- 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp Ground nutmeg
- 0.5 tsp Ground cloves
- 0.5 tsp Ground ginger
- 0.25 tsp Salt
- 200 ml Milk
- 2 tbsp Syrup (like golden syrup or corn syrup)
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp Butter(for greasing the pan)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 170°C (340°F). Grease a 25cm (10-inch) loaf pan or cake tin with butter and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper.
💡 Tip: Using parchment paper makes it easier to remove the cake. - 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt.
💡 Tip: Ensures the dry ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed. - 3
In a separate bowl or jug, whisk together the milk, syrup, and vanilla extract.
💡 Tip: Warming the milk slightly can help the syrup dissolve better. - 4
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are okay.
💡 Tip: Overmixing can lead to a tough cake. - 5
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- 6
Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
⏱️ 60-70 minutes - 7
Once baked, let the kruidkoek cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 8
Serve sliced, plain or with a smear of butter.
💡 Tip: Kruidkoek is delicious when slightly warm or at room temperature.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For added texture and flavor, you can add 150g of soaked raisins or chopped nuts (like walnuts or hazelnuts) to the batter.
- ✓A little grated orange zest can also be added for a citrusy note.
- ✓Kruidkoek keeps well in an airtight container for several days.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes use buttermilk instead of milk for a tangier flavor.
- A touch of molasses can be added for a deeper, richer flavor.