Ginger balls
A classic Belgian Christmas treat, these ginger biscuits are soft and fragrant. They can be served warm or cold and are perfect for an appetizer.
“Amsterdam Ginger Boles” are a traditional Jewish pastry from Amsterdam. While they can be difficult to find in Amsterdam, you can easily make them at home with this simple and delicious guide.
Ingredients and directions
- Prep time45 min
- Cook time20 min
- Resting2 hr
- Total3 hr 5 min
- DifficultyMedium
- CostBudget
- Cooking methodfour
- Estimated cost$6.90 $0.58 / serving Estimated price; varies by store. Converted from euros at the ECB rate of October 7, 2026.
Ingredients
people
- $0.66
- $0.00
- $0.32
- $0.69
- $0.35
- $0.08
- $0.83
- $0.77
- $2.22
- $0.92
- $0.06
Prices from US supermarkets for 7 of 11 ingredients; Belgian prices for the rest.
Directions
- Heat the milk to a lukewarm temperature, then dissolve the yeast in the milk along with 75g of butter.
- Pour the flour into a bowl, sift it, and create a well in the center. ≈ 2 min
- Pour: Pour, the yeast solution, into the hole in the center of the flour. ≈ 3 min
- Distribute the MSP salt evenly along the sides of the tank. ≈ 3 min
- Pour in the egg yolk and pour it into the yeast mixture. ≈ 3 min
- Combine all the ingredients, starting from the center of the pot, until a soft dough is formed. ≈ 4 min
- Let the dough rise for about 1 hour, covered with a clean, damp cloth, in a warm place.
- For example, you can preheat the oven to 50 °C and place the bowl containing the dough in front of the oven door.
- While the dough is resting, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Then, allow to cool.
- Melt the sugar until it caramelizes, then add the egg and the cooled, melted butter.
- After an hour of rest, mix the preparation again with the dough and knead it thoroughly.
- Preheat the oven.
- Cover the work surface with flour. ≈ 3 min
- Roll out the dough on a work surface to form a sheet approximately 0.5 cm thick. ≈ 4 min
- Thoroughly rinse the dates and grapes, then drain them using a sieve. ≈ 2 min
- Carefully weigh the lemon and ginger. ≈ 2 min
- Combine the butter and caramel until it softens, then mix in the dates, grapes, lemon zest, and cinnamon. ≈ 4 min
- Divide this mass evenly over the dough and roll out the dough. ≈ 3 min
- The size of the spatula should not be larger than the diameter of the molds. ≈ 3 min
- Cut this material into thin slices, approximately 2 cm wide. ≈ 8 min
- Place these discs in the molds and cover them with a damp dishcloth. ≈ 3 min
- Let it rest for an additional 30 minutes.
- For the top layer, melt the butter and mix it with 200 ml of the main ingredient syrup (the ginger-based liquid).
- Please use this mixture to season the vegetables. ≈ 3 min
- Do not use all of it, as you will need some for cooking. ≈ 3 min
- Bake the molds in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- Regularly brush the pastries with the liquid. ≈ 4 min
- Let the molds cool down with the gemberbolessen.
- Although the dough sticks to the molds, this problem can be solved by gently heating the molds. ≈ 3 min
- The outer layer, which has been infused with ginger, will then soften and release the dough, which will be quite sticky. ≈ 3 min
The bill
Ginger balls
- 500 g of wheat flour (type 405)$0.66
- 1 milligram of salt$0.00
- 350 ml of whole milk$0.32
- 75 g of butter$0.69
- 1 egg$0.35
- 75 grams of sugar$0.08
- 100 g of Corintha oranges$0.83
- 100 g of grapes$0.77
- 150 g of marinated ginger (ginger root)$2.22
- 100 g of butter$0.92
- 50 g of sugar$0.06
Total$6.90
that's $0.58 per person
Estimated price; varies by store.
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