Easy Cat Tongue Cookies

Cat tongue cookies are sweet, crunchy and thin cookies with vanilla and butter flavour. These Indonesian cookies are long and flat, similar to cat’s tongue in France and Japan.

This is a very buttery cookies. Its thin and crunchy texture making it a very light cookie. Some people dip it in melted chocolate or sticked together with chocolate melt in between.

The cat tongue in Europe are served with a ganache, cream or jam. It can also be prepared with ice cream or sorbet as dessert.

Cat Tongue Cookies Origin

The origin of cat tongue is most likely from 17^th century in France. The same ingredients are used; egg white, wheat flour, sugar, butter, and vanilla.

In Indonesia, the recipe was brought by Dutch colonization. The Dutch housewives taught Indonesian women to bake these cookies. These Indonesian cookies are very popular until now.

Names for Cat Tongue Cookies

In France people call them langue de chat, lingua di gatto (Italian), lingua de gato (Portuguese), lidah kucing (Indonesian), Kattentong (Dutch).

Japanese have their own cat tongue cookies with square shape. White chocolate is sandwiched in between two cookies. A very famous manufacturer Shiroi Koiboto produces these cookies and they can be found all over Japan.

Indonesia Idul Fitri Cookies

During Idul Fitri, Indonesian always prepare lots of cookies to serve the guests on Idul Fitri. One of the cookies that are very popular is cat tongue cookies (lidah kucing).

There are many versions nowadays. The black ones using glutinous rice flour, the green ones using matcha green tea or pandan extract, the cheese ones, and the chocolate ones.

All versions are very yummy and I guarantee, one will never be enough!

My Version of Cat Tongue

I have tried cat tongue cookies in many households since I was a kid. Each house has different types of cat tongue cookies. They may look the same, but with differed ingredients and types of butter, each came out different in taste.

I decided to make my own recipe of cat tongue. The one I like is less sweet, less sticky, and crunchy.

I have tried many versions and I ended up with this one. I have reduced the sugar content to a mild sweetness level and the crunchiness is the utmost, even after several months in a jar.

To me, the most important thing is when I eat it, the crumbs don’t stick on my teeth. I want them all to melt in my mouth.

And here’s the recipe.

Cat Tongue Cookie Recipe

• Sugar powder 175 gr
• Salt 2 gr
• Margarine 140 gr
• Butter 175 gr
• Low protein flour 300 gr
• Milk powder 30 gr
• Egg white 80 gr

Instructions

• Beat egg white until soft peak.

• In another bowl, soften margarine and butter together.
• Add powdered sugar. First, mix with a spatula so the powdered sugar will not fly away.

• Beat with mixer again until the color is pale and the texture light.

• Remember to scrape the sides of the bowl. Add salt.
• Sieve flour and milk powder into the butter mixture. Mix and fold using a spatula thoroughly.

• Put in the meringue. Mix and fold well until all the meringue is no longer seen.

• Put the batter in a piping bag.

• If you have a cat tongue mold pan, you can grease the pan. But if you have a regular cookie pan, you can use that. Pipe the batter at around 6 cm length.

• Cut the piping bag at 1 cm diameter. Press the batter on the pan at equal length.

• Bake in the preheated oven 180°C for 12 minutes total. Turn around the pan after 6 minutes.
• Take out from the oven after 12 minutes, let it cool. Scrape the cookies carefully on a cooling rack.

• Your kitchen will smell of butter and vanilla.
• Keep the cookies in a tight container.
• Enjoy!

Note

• Always use sugar powder to get a soft silky texture in the cookies.
• You can always combine the butter with your favorite brand. I use Wijsman butter and Anchor mixed. 
• One recipe can make up to 700 gr cookies. 
• Store them tight in a container to serve during Hari Raya or Christmas.

Storage and Shelf Life

These cat tongue cookies must be stored in airtight container to preserve the crunchiness and the freshness.

You can keep the cookies freshness for up to 3 months. Keep them chilled in the fridge.

FAQs

Q: What are the origins of Cat Tongue Cookies?

A: Cat Tongue Cookies, known as ‘Langues de Chat’ in French, originate from Europe, particularly France and Belgium. They are named for their resemblance to a cat’s tongue in shape and texture. These cookies have a long history in European baking traditions and have become popular worldwide.

Q: Can Cat Tongue Cookies be made gluten-free?

A: Yes, Cat Tongue Cookies can be adapted for both gluten-free and vegan diets. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend.

Q: How long can these cookies be stored and how?

A: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To maintain their crispness, ensure they are completely cooled before storing. For longer storage, they can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when making these cookies?

A: Common mistakes include over mixing the dough (which can lead to tough cookies), not allowing enough space between cookies on the baking sheet (they spread while baking), and overbaking (which can make them too burnt).

There are many old classic recipes passed down from that Dutch colonization to many Indonesians that are still popular up until now.

• Dutch Butter Cake
• Dutch Ontbijtkoek Cake