How to Make Soft and Delicious Pineapple Nastar Cookies

How to Make Soft and Delicious Pineapple Nastar Cookies

Nastar is one of Indonesia's most popular traditional cookies, especially during festive celebrations. These bite-sized pastries are filled with sweet pineapple jam and often decorated with cheese, raisins, or cloves. With their buttery texture and rich flavor, Nastar cookies are loved by people of all ages.

Let's start making delicious homemade Nastar cookies.

Ingredients

For the Nastar Dough:

- 4 egg yolks

- 500 grams all-purpose flour

- 500 grams butter or margarine

- 100 grams powdered sugar

- 1 packet vanilla powder

- 100 grams Gouda or Cheddar cheese, grated

- 2 egg yolks for glazing

- Ground cinnamon to taste

- 50 grams raisins

For the Pineapple Jam Filling:

- 1 fresh pineapple

- 300 grams granulated sugar

How to Make the Dough

1. Prepare a baking tray and lightly grease it with margarine.

2. Beat the 4 egg yolks together with the powdered sugar and butter until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

3. Add the grated cheese and mix well.

4. Add the flour and vanilla powder.

5. Continue mixing until a soft dough forms and can be shaped by hand.

How to Make the Pineapple Jam

1. Peel and grate the fresh pineapple.

2. Place the grated pineapple and sugar in a saucepan.

3. Cook over medium heat while stirring until the mixture thickens and most of the liquid evaporates.

4. Allow the jam to cool completely.

5. Shape the jam into small balls for easier filling.

How to Assemble the Nastar Cookies

1. Take a small amount of dough and flatten it slightly in your palm.

2. Place a small ball of pineapple jam in the center.

3. Carefully wrap the dough around the filling and shape it into a smooth ball approximately the size of a ping-pong ball.

4. Repeat until all dough and filling are used.

5. Cut the raisins into small pieces and place one piece on top of each cookie as decoration.

6. Brush the tops of the cookies with beaten egg yolk to create a beautiful golden finish.

7. Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking tray.

8. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown and fully cooked.

9. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely before serving.

Tips for Perfect Nastar Cookies

- Use high-quality butter for a richer flavor.

- Ensure the pineapple jam is thick and not watery.

- Do not overbake the cookies to keep them soft and tender.

- Store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Your soft, buttery, and delicious pineapple Nastar cookies are now ready to enjoy.

Happy baking and enjoy your homemade Nastar!