Ginger balls

Ginger balls

Desserts

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.

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“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

12 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

  1. Heat the milk to a lukewarm temperature, then dissolve the yeast in the milk along with 75g of butter.
  2. Pour the flour into a bowl, sift it, and create a well in the center. ≈ 2 min
  3. Pour: Pour, the yeast solution, into the hole in the center of the flour. ≈ 3 min
  4. Distribute the MSP salt evenly along the sides of the tank. ≈ 3 min
  5. Pour in the egg yolk and pour it into the yeast mixture. ≈ 3 min
  6. Combine all the ingredients, starting from the center of the pot, until a soft dough is formed. ≈ 4 min
  7. Let the dough rise for about 1 hour, covered with a clean, damp cloth, in a warm place.
  8. For example, you can preheat the oven to 50 °C and place the bowl containing the dough in front of the oven door.
  9. While the dough is resting, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
  10. Then, allow to cool.
  11. Melt the sugar until it caramelizes, then add the egg and the cooled, melted butter.
  12. After an hour of rest, mix the preparation again with the dough and knead it thoroughly.
  13. Preheat the oven.
  14. Cover the work surface with flour. ≈ 3 min
  15. Roll out the dough on a work surface to form a sheet approximately 0.5 cm thick. ≈ 4 min
  16. Thoroughly rinse the dates and grapes, then drain them using a sieve. ≈ 2 min
  17. Carefully weigh the lemon and ginger. ≈ 2 min
  18. Combine the butter and caramel until it softens, then mix in the dates, grapes, lemon zest, and cinnamon. ≈ 4 min
  19. Divide this mass evenly over the dough and roll out the dough. ≈ 3 min
  20. The size of the spatula should not be larger than the diameter of the molds. ≈ 3 min
  21. Cut this material into thin slices, approximately 2 cm wide. ≈ 8 min
  22. Place these discs in the molds and cover them with a damp dishcloth. ≈ 3 min
  23. Let it rest for an additional 30 minutes.
  24. For the top layer, melt the butter and mix it with 200 ml of the main ingredient syrup (the ginger-based liquid).
  25. Please use this mixture to season the vegetables. ≈ 3 min
  26. Do not use all of it, as you will need some for cooking. ≈ 3 min
  27. Bake the molds in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
  28. Regularly brush the pastries with the liquid. ≈ 4 min
  29. Let the molds cool down with the gemberbolessen.
  30. Although the dough sticks to the molds, this problem can be solved by gently heating the molds. ≈ 3 min
  31. 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.

Before you start

Ingredients

  • 500 g of wheat flour (type 405)
  • 1 milligram of salt
  • 350 ml of whole milk
  • 50 g of yeast
  • 75 g of butter
  • 1 egg
  • 75 grams of sugar
  • 100 g of Corintha oranges
  • 100 g of grapes
  • 25 g of citric acid
  • 150 g of marinated ginger (ginger root)
  • 100 g of butter
  • 50 g of sugar
  • 200 ml of the main ingredient syrup

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