How to make Lidah Kucing cookies for this Eid holiday
Ask any Indonesian what their favourite biscuit is for Idul Fitri (or any special celebration for that matter), and without hesitation you’ll hear, ‘Nastar!’, ‘Kaastengel!’, ‘Putri Salju!’, 'Kue Semperit!’ and ‘Lidah Kucing!’. These biscuits clearly are the favourites of Indonesia. And as these cookies are being named, you’ll also detect a hint of nostalgia - as attached to these cookies are fond memories of childhood, family and togetherness.
Did you know that we have already published seriously delicious recipes for Nastar (pineapple cookies) and Putri Salju (peanut cookies), the links for which are at end of this post. And today we present you with our wonderfully simple recipe for Lidah Kucing.
‘Lidah Kucing’ biscuits (which translates as ‘cats tongue biscuits’ due to their shape), are light in weight, soft in the centre and crispy around the edges. Eat them in their simple and elegant form, or dress them up with any matter of yummy toppings (suggestions below!). Either way, you’re sure to delight your family and friends when you serve up these delicious biscuits.
Finally, to those of you who celebrate Idul Fitri, we say, 'Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri'. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and peaceful Eid.
Recipe for Lidah Kucing Biscuits
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 5 - 8 minutes
Ingredients
125g unsalted butter (softened)
125 g caster sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 egg whites
125 g plain flour (sifted)
The simple ingredients for Lidah Kucing biscuits
Method
Preheat oven to 175 degrees (fan forced).
Line two baking sheets with baking paper.
In a large mixing bowl, beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
Softened butter and sugar
Next add the vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
Adding the vanilla extract
In a large bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks are formed.
Egg whites
Gently fold the egg whites into the butter mixture.
Next, gently fold in the flour until completely combined.
Add the flour, a few spoons at a time, to ensure it is thoroughly combined
Fold in flour using a spatula
Transfer the batter into a piping bag with a 1.5 cm tip.
* Note: If you don’t have a piping bag, simply fill a ziplock bag with the batter then make a 1.5cm diagonal cut across a corner.
Be patient with this step. With a steady hand, apply even pressure to the piping bag, squeezing out the mixture to form lengths of approx. 6cm
Pipe 6cm long strips onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 3cm between each strip.
Don’t be worried if the shape isn’t perfectly formed. As the cookies bake, they will spread a little and the appearance will become more regular
Bake in preheated oven until edges are golden. This will take approximately 6-8 minutes.
Position trays in the middle of the oven
Allow cookies to cool.
Cookies are ready!
If decorating your cookies, ensure they are completely cool before icing and/or dipping in melted chocolate.
Here are some decorating suggestions:
Why not ice your cookies? or perhaps dip them in melted chocolate then cover with chopped nuts?
From left to right: Vanilla icing, dark compound chocolate (for melting), pistachios
Ground cinnamon and desiccated coconut
Or how about dusting your cookies with a pinch of ground cinnamon or a sprinkle of desiccated coconut?
Whatever you choose, be sure to refrigerate until set.
Ready for the fridge
Lidah Kucing ready for Idul Fitri or any other special occasion
Cook’s Notes
Eat fresh or store in airtight container for up to 4 days.
For a twist, why not spike the cookie batter with some finely grated orange or lemon zest; ground cardamom or cinnamon.
Why not sandwich two biscuits together with raspberry jam. Want a little more indulgence? Dip the ends in melted dark chocolate.
In the spirit of Idul Fitri, we asked some of our ajb interviewees (featured in our 'People' category) what their favourite celebratory cookies are. This is what they had to say:
Hani Nandana (my Bahasa Indonesia teacher for the past 5 years): "Kaastengel, Putri Salju and Lidah Kucing are found in almost all households during Idul Fitri".
Nita Strudwick (professional photographer): "Oh I love Lidah Kucing! But I grew up eating Kaastengels and Nastar cookies every Eid. My mom used to make them. Now my husband and daughter love Kaastengel too (made from Edam cheese)".
Muhammad Fadli (professional photographer): "When I was growing up we almost never bought any biscuits for Eid, instead everything was homemade. My aunty would make the best cheese biscuits (Kaastengel)".
Ruth Marbun (AKA, ‘Utay Utay’ - Artist): "Nastar, Lidah Kucing and Putri Salju (made with cashews). Because my mum rarely buys Putri Salju cookies, I treasure every sugary bite when I enjoy them in other people’s homes. The best ones have crushed cashews in the dough".
Vina Alhadath (photographer): "Home made chocolate peanut cookies - they are easy to make and taste great!"
Ayu Larasati (Ceramicist): We enjoy Lidah Kucing as well - but the other ones that we love are Kue Putri Salju and also of course Nastar and Kaastengel. We would usually buy ours from Toko Oen when we would do Mudik to Semarang. Toko Oen has been around for generations"
Looking for more recipes for Lebaran and other festive occasions? Try these!
Kue Nastar (pineapple cookies)
Kue Bolu Pandan (pandan chiffon cake)
How to make Kolak (banana and sweet potato treat for breaking fast)
Interested in learning more about Ramadan, Idul Fitri and the Islamic faith? Here are a few more posts:
Ramadan and Eid Ul Fitr in Jakarta
Memories and Meaningfulness of Ramadan
Words: Jo Stevens Photography: a journey bespoke