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Fryske dúmkes
Anise and hazelnut biscuits
Fryske dúmkes: Frisian anise and hazelnut thumb biscuits
DutchDúmkes, 'little thumbs', are crisp, spiced biscuits from Friesland, shaped by pressing the dough with a thumb or rolling it into a log and slicing; their flavour comes from aniseed and toasted hazelnuts, and they are dunked in coffee at Frisian kitchen tables. A common mistake is baking them pale, which leaves them soft; they should be golden and snap when broken. Chef's tip: lightly crush the aniseed before mixing, so its sweet liquorice flavour runs through every bite.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 24
Ingredients
For the biscuits
- 4 ½ oz soft butter
- 4 ½ oz soft light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 8 oz plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp aniseedlightly crushed
- 2 ⅛ oz hazelnutstoasted and chopped
- 1 pinch salt
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Beat 4 ½ oz soft butter and 4 ½ oz soft light brown sugar until creamy, then beat in 1 egg.
Step 2: Mix in 8 oz plain flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp aniseed, 2 ⅛ oz hazelnuts and 1 pinch salt to a firm dough. Chill 20 minutes.
20 minStep 3: Heat the oven to 350°F (fan 325°F). Roll into walnut-sized pieces, shape into ovals and press each with your thumb.
Step 4: Bake for 15–18 minutes, until golden. Common mistake: pale biscuits; they stay soft.
18 minStep 5: Cool on a rack. Keeps 2 weeks in a tin.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 110 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 13 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does fryske dúmkes take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 24 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of soft butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of soft light brown sugar?
- White sugar + 1 tsp honey or golden syrup per 100g.
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