Invented 1920s | Created by unknown Variations Multiple | |
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Main ingredients Similar Koeksister, Melktert, Malva pudding, Vetkoek, Frikkadel | ||
Kitchencoza tiaan s take on hertzoggies season 2 episode 6
A Hertzoggie, also known in Afrikaans as a Hertzog Koekie or in English as a Hertzog Cookie, is a jam-filled tartlet or cookie with a coconut topping commonly served on a cup-like pastry base.
Contents
- Kitchencoza tiaan s take on hertzoggies season 2 episode 6
- Hertzoggie cupcakes with rooibos by katelyn
- History
- Composition
- Jan Smuts cookies
- References
The cookie is a popular dessert in South Africa where it is often eaten with a cup of English tea. In the Cape-Malay community the dessert is often eaten during Eid. It is often baked at home as part of a dessert-baking cottage industry in the country and sold alongside other popular South African desserts such as Koeksisters.
Hertzoggie cupcakes with rooibos by katelyn
History
The tartlet is named after the early 20th century South African politician and Boer War General J. B. M. Hertzog. The Hertzog Koekies are thought to have been a favorite of his. Hertzog's supporters were known to have baked and served them to show their political support.
One story of the origin of the dessert states that it was invented by the Cape-Malay community to demonstrate their support for Hertzog after he promised to give women the vote and equal rights to the coloured community in the 1920s. After fulfilling the first promise to give women the vote in 1930, but not the second, the community began baking the cookies with a brown and pink icing called "twee gevreetjie" (Afrikaans for "hypocrite"), showing their dissatisfaction with him.
Another possible source for the dessert's origin is the Afrikaans practice following the Second Anglo-Boer War to name confections after national heroes.
Composition
Hertzog Koekies are prepared from a pastry base with an open top that is filled with apricot jam. It is topped with a desiccated or grated coconut meringue topping and baked.
Jan Smuts cookies
The Hertzog Koekie inspired supporters of Hertzog's political rival and contemporary Jan Smuts to bake a version of their own called "Jan Smuts cookies". This confection also became popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Jan Smuts cookies have a creamed butter and sugar topping instead of the paler meringue topping of the Hertzog Koekie.