Dutch Butter Cake or Boterkoek

Dutch Butter Cake or Boterkoek is a comfort food made of lots of butter and the texture is almost like a cookie but also a cake!

The recipe only have 5 simple ingredients and it is super easy to make, even for a beginner in baking.

Follow the steps in this article, your Dutch Butter Cake will impress your famiy and friends for sure!

Boterkoek or Dutch Butter Cake

The Dutch name itself is pretty clear that it is a cake with very much butter in it. The content of butter and flour is almost the same.

The high content of butter makes the butter cake very moist and soft.

The original recipe from the Netherlands use basterdsuiker a type of light brown sugar which has a caramel-like aroma and flavor with hints of almond and honey.

In my recipe, I used powdered sugar so it combines nicely with the butter. I have reduced the amount of sugar because I don’t want the cake to be too sweet.

In other recipes, you may find almond meal. I want the cake to really taste of butter, so I don’t want to use almond meal.

Decoration

To make the cake more attractive, I brushed egg yolk on the surface and use a fork to draw some pattern.

I put on almond slices and some chocochips on top.

Dutch Butter Cake Recipe

• 200 gr butter 
• 130 gr powdered sugar
• 2 gr salt
• 1 egg
• 220 gr cake flour
• 30 gr milk powder
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Almond slices 
• Chocolate chips

Step by Step Instruction

• Mix butter, powdered sugar and salt in a bowl. Use low speed first to prevent the sugar from flying.
• Mix with high speed until the color turns pale and feels light. The butter should double in size.
• Sieve the flour. Put in the flour. Mix using a spatula first and then use a mixer to mix with low speed.
• Put in milk powder. Mix with low speed.
• Put in vanilla extract. Mix well.
• Pour in a 20×20 cm pan, greased and lined with parchment paper.
• Spread evenly and try to scrape it flat on the surface.
• Brush the top surface with egg yolk.
• Decorate with a fork, put some almond slices and chocolate chips.

• Bake in a preheated oven 180°C for 20 minutes.
• Let it cool before cutting. Cut in 5×5 cm. There should be 20 pcs.
• Enjoy!

Tips and Trick

• You can mix the butter and margarine. Or use full butter.
• Always mix the dry ingredients with a spatula. Mix and fold and then use the mixer.

Shelf Life

Boterkoek has a similar consistency to cookies. It is drier than regular cakes. Therefore it can stay up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

If you want to keep the cake longer, there are some tips you can use in this article to have fresh cakes even after 3, 4, to 5 days.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Why is it called ‘butter cake’ when it’s more of a cookie in texture?

A: While the name ‘butter cake’ might suggest a soft, cake-like consistency, Boterkoek is actually somewhere between a cookie and a cake. Its dense texture is due to the high butter content, and it’s named for its primary ingredient rather than its texture.

Q: What’s the best time of the year to enjoy Boterkoek?

A: Boterkoek is a timeless treat that can be enjoyed any time of the year. However, it’s especially popular during festive occasions in the Netherlands, like King’s Day or during the Christmas season.

Q: How is Dutch Butter Cake traditionally celebrated in the Netherlands?

A: Boterkoek is a staple in Dutch bakeries and households. It’s not just a dessert but a symbol of warmth, hospitality, and the coziness of Dutch homes. It’s often served to guests with coffee or tea, and it plays a part in various Dutch celebrations and family gatherings.

Q: How do you store Boterkoek?

A: Just keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat using microwave or just eat it cold.

Conclusion

Boterkoek or Dutch Butter Cake is a culinary heritage from the Netherlands. It was transported to Indonesia and became popular over time.

The rich buttery texture makes this cake different from regular cakes. Its consistency is similar to cookies.

Follow the steps detailed in this post to make your own Dutch Buttercake! And don’t worry if you have to keep it in the chiller longer. There are some tricks to keep you butter cake fresh.

More classic cake from Dutch colonization era in Indonesia:

• Ontbijtkoek
• Lapis Surabaya
• Indonesian Layered Cake
• Pastel Tutup

Enjoy Dutch Butter Cake with a cup of Rose Milk Tea.