arretje's cake

Arretje's Cake (Chocolate Cookie Loaf)

The Calvé brand nowadays is known primarily for its peanut butter and mayonnaise, but back in the 1950s, they produced cooking fats such as Delfia and Delfrite. To promote the products, Dutch households received ‘points’ each time they purchased them. The points could be exchanged for recipe booklets. Arretje Nof was a cartoon character, a young boy, probably added to the booklets to appeal to Calvé’s younger clients! This recipe is not the original one from the booklets (it uses real butter instead of margarine, for example), but it is nevertheless delicious and easy to make!

Makes: ± 16 slices

Ingredients:

  • 2 eggs
  • 7 oz. sugar
  • ½ cup Dutch process cocoa powder
  • 7 oz. unsalted butter
  • 7 oz. digestive cookies
  • 2 oz. hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles)

Preparation:

  • Beat the eggs and sugar for approximately 3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
  • Add the cocoa powder one tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  • Melt the butter in a saucepan or microwave.
  • Add the melted butter to the mixture while stirring with a (wooden) spoon. Keep stirring until the butter is well incorporated.
  • Line a 10-inch loaf pan with baking paper.
  • Break the cookies into small pieces and stir them into the batter.
  • Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
  • Smooth the top, and sprinkle with the hagelslag.
  • Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours before cutting into slices.

Note: this recipes uses raw eggs and is therefore not suitable for children under the age of five, pregnant women, the elderly or those suffering from a weakened immune system.

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Original article by: Ramona Venema