Kaasstengels – the Netherlands
Kaasstengels is an appetizer made of Dutch cheese in the form of sticks. Kaas is the Dutch word for “cheese,” and Stengels means “sticks” therefore, the name alludes to the food’s components, shape, and place of origin. In contrast to most cookies, Kaasstengels have a savory, salty flavor and are mostly eaten during festive occasions like Natal (Christmas) and Lebaran.
A fine mixture of butter or margarine, egg yolks, and shredded cheese is combined with flour, cornstarch, and baking powder to make the dough for Kaasstengels. Small rectangles of dough are formed, coated with egg yolk, dusted with shredded cheddar, and baked. To produce Kaasstengels that are acceptable for a vegan diet, nutritional yeast can be used in its place. Due to Indonesia’s colonial ties to the Netherlands, Kaasstengels are also widely distributed in Indonesia. In fact, Kaasstengels, nastar, and putri salju are famous dried kues (also known as cookies) in Indonesia. They are used as an additional form of payment in the city of Krabbendijke.