Dutch Almond Bars Boterkoek Recipes

DUTCH BOTERKOEK

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8-inch tart tin, or a 9-inch pie pan. Whisk together the flour and baking powder; set aside.
• Beat the butter, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Mix in the flour mixture until the dough forms ball. Press the dough into the prepared tin, and brush with the milk.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and still somewhat soft at the center, about 35 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove, and cut into 16 wedges. Cool completely on a wire rack.

BOTERKOEK (DUTCH BUTTER CAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 8 inch round cake pans, or 9 inch pie plates.
• In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, reserving just enough to brush over the tops, about 1 tablespoon. Stir in the almond extract. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the batter by hand using a sturdy spoon. The dough will be stiff.
• Press evenly into the two prepared pans. Press almond halves into the top where each slice would be. Brush the tops with a thin layer of the reserved egg.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Cut into wedges to serve.

OMA'S BOTERKOEK (DUTCH BUTTERCAKE)

Steps:

• In medium bowl, mix together butter, sugar and almond extract.
• Add beaten egg except for 1 teaspoon.
• Sift flour and baking powder, and add to bowl, mixing with wet ingredients.
• Put dough in greased 9 inch pie plate.
• Mix the reserved 1 tsp of beaten egg with 1 tsp of water, and brush over dough.
• Sprinkle with sliced almonds, if desired. (My Oma always used the almonds, it looks pretty and adds a nice touch!).
• Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until done (firm to the touch).
• This is a dense cake, but should be soft on the inside and hard on the outside, but not too hard!