Last Updated on August 4, 2020 by Chef Mireille
Panlevi – Sponge Cookies originate from the Sephardic community on Curacao, home to the oldest synagogue in the Americas.
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Bon Dia…as we say Good Afternoon in Aruba and Curacao! Today I am taking you to the Dutch Caribbean specifically to the small Caribbean island of Curacao with a population of just 150K.
but before I do that…
I have a gripe to pick with some people. One of my pet peeves is when people put all of the Caribbean in one bucket.
While we do share some similarities, we are a diverse group of islands, each with our own history, culture, language and cuisine.
The Dutch Caribbean
For God’s sake, we can’t always even communicate with each other. If someone from Aruba says “Con ta bai?” (how are you in Papiamento) to someone from Haiti, all they will receive in response is a blank expression.
Another thing people have said to me when I tell them my family is from Aruba. “Oh. I thought it was just a vacation island. I didn’t know people actually live there.” This came once from a 4th grade teacher! No comment on the education of America!
I politely responded who did she think was cleaning her hotel room and cooking her food? People from the island of course! It’s like the local people are invisible or something!
…and she’s not the only person that has said this to me!
So little is known about Aruba except it being a great place to go on vacation. It is the only Caribbean island outside of the hurricane belt, so you can pretty much enjoy Aruba all year round.
Since my Mom is from Aruba, I think it is my duty to present some of our culture and cuisine to the rest of the world.
Both Aruba and Curacao have very similar cuisines, having both been colonized by the Netherlands. I can’t really speak on Bonaire as I have never been there.
However, together the 3 islands are collectively known as the ABC islands and have many cultural and cuisine similarities. All 3 speak Papiamento as the local language, even though Dutch is used in schools and business.
Although my Mom was born in Aruba, there is a lot of moving back and forth between the islands of Aruba and Curacao as they are so close to one another. Therefore, I have just as much family in Curacao as I do in Aruba.
So let’s learn a little more about Curacao…and the Sephardic community of Curacao where these cookies come from.
Curacao History & Culture
Did you know the first synagogue in the western hemisphere was on the Caribbean island of Curacao?
The Mikve Israel-Emmanuel Synagogue is the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas, dating back to 1674. It was built by Spanish and Portuguese Jews from the Netherlands and Brazil.
Curacao is the largest island of what was formerly known as the Nederland Antilles or Dutch Antilles. In 2010, the Dutch Antilles was dissolved. However, Curacao remains an autonomous island within the kingdom of the Netherlands. The Netherlands still has the power to intervene on important matters when necessary.
Curacao is a beautiful island with the port in the section known as Otrobanda being the cultural center of the capital city of Willemstad.
Like Aruba, the official language in school, business and government is Dutch. However, the majority of the population speak Papiamento in casual conversation.
Papiamento was a dialect formed out of a mixture of Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, English and French. However, since it has a written form with books and newspapers being published in Papiamento, it was declared a language.
Are you ready to experiment more within the cuisine of the Dutch Caribbean? Here are a few more recipes to tempt your palate!
Dutch Caribbean Recipes
- Pastechi – Dutch Caribbean style Empanada
- Keshi Yena – Stuffed Cheese
- Tutu – Caribbean style polenta enriched with bacon and black eyed peas
- Pan Bati – (Smashed Bread) Cornmeal Pancakes
I hope you feel you’ve learned a little bit more today than just how to make Panlevi – Dutch Caribbean Sponge Cookies.
Recipe FAQ
What if you can’t find mace?
There is no need to go crazy looking for mace. As long as you have nutmeg, you can omit the mace.
Forming the Cookies
Wet your hands slightly when forming the cookies to make it easier.
Texture and Taste
These cookies have a sponge cake like texture, so don’t expect a crispy cookie. These are more like cakey cookies.
You have to like the flavor of eggs as it is present even once the cookies are baked.
You will notice that unlike most cookies, these are not made with butter. This is to keep them kosher so that they can be eaten with meals that include meat.
These cookies are not overly sweet, which is why they are often had for breakfast with some coffee.
They are just as good for Milk and Cookies time!
Panlevi – Dutch Caribbean Sponge Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon ground mace
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper and spray with non stick spray.
- Sift flour, mace, nutmeg and salt into a small bowl.
- Using the whip attachment of an electric mixer, beat eggs for several minutes until light and frothy. They should form soft peaks.
- Add vanilla extract and sugar and mix for 2 minutes until well incorporated.
- Using a rubber spatula, fold in 1/3 of the flour until incorporated.
- Repeat 2 more times until all of the flour has been incorporated.
- With slightly wet hands, take a portion about the size of a small lime and form into a small patty shape (like a hamburger).
- Place on the cookie sheets with a little space in between each cookie.
- Bake for 25 minutes until the bottom of the cookies are a little golden around the edges.
- Leave to cool for a few minutes before removing from the cookie sheet.
Notes
Nutrition
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Yum
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Wow. These spongy cookies were delicious. They remind me of the tea cakes my mother makes.
ooh – I would love to hear more about those tea cakes?
Yum – these cookies are so good and spongy! I have to add these to my regular cookie rotation lol.
Yes they also make great edible holiday gifts 🙂
Wow not only are these cookies amazing, but I instantly connected with you when I learned that you speak Papiamento! My family is from Cape Verde and our Creole is almost identical to Papiamento! The first time I heard someone speak it my jaw dropped! Thanks for sharing!
that is so interesting to learn. Well they both have portuguese in it – two of the very few portuguese based creole’s that exist so it actually makes sense.
What a perfect bite sized snack! This was exactly what I needed to cure my sweet tooth! Delicious!
Glad you enjoyed them so much
These were wonderful. I will make them again for sure!
They are definitely one of my faves as I am sure they will become yours.
This is definitely my next recipe to making these flavorful cookies. Love to gift some to my loved ones or carry as my snack box too.
They make fabulous edible gifts!
These are just the perfect light cookies. They were great for our snack tray when my grandmother came to visit today.
I am so glad grandma liked them!
Yeah I have mace! Can’t wait to bake these cookies, I want to try them for the spongy texture which sounds amazing. Thank you also for the history of Aruba and Curacao , I hope to visit that area.
yeah – You would love it when you get to visit, especially Aruba which has a tropical desert like climate so virtually no humidity!
I am better educated now Mir! will not club all as Carribean. I have nutmeg, I have mace and so these cookies sound extremely doable. I seem to be on a roll these days baking . SO this sounds like a batch whoh will get done. Will update you. Thanks.
OK – hope you like them and glad you got to learn a little bit more about my Caribbean today
Loved the history.. and the ABC cheat ☺️ Nice to think ofa time in the future when we might dream of visiting. Stay well and thanks for the recipe.
I know right! – To dream of a time again when we can go on planes care free and travel!!!
My first time cooking with mace, these cookies were delicious!
glad to introduce you to a new spice and so happy you enjoyed the cookies!
Can’t believe how easy these were to make! I really enjoyed them!
I am glad you liked them. These get better with every batch you make : )
These were so good! I can’t wait to make them again around the holidays!
We definitely enjoy them around holiday time in Curacao so why not the same here in the US!
I’ve never used mace in cookies before. Delicious! Thank you for educating us on the history of the Caribbean and that there’s so much diversity among the islands. I feel the same way when people group all African nations together. We don’t all speak the same languages or eat the same foods.
Exactly. The food of Kenya is quite different from Senegalese!
You did it again chef! I loved the texture of these, and loved learning a little more about your culture.
so glad to share it. Glad you liked the cookies!
I’m so happy you gave the tip to use nutmeg instead of mace, because I could not find it! They turned out to delicious!
yes since mace is the outer layer of the nutmeg, both have similar flavor profiles
There’s a special ace in my heart from food from the Caribbean and these didn’t disappoint. Delicious!
aw thank you. That is so sweet. Glad you liked the cookies!
This recipe was right on time for a birthday tea party! These Cookies are delicious!
they definitely go so well with tea. Great addition to the party I am sure!
Girl! Don’t even get me started on how uneducated about the Caribbean people are! On the other hand, I’m so glad I had mace in my cabinet because it truly made these cookies what they are. I loved them and look forward to making them this holiday season.
🙂 – They make a great cookie for the holiday season, especially with the mace flavor
I love the sound of these spongy soft cookies! They sound right up my alley, especially with the mace going in. Bookmarking this recipe to try out. 🙂
You must let me know how you like them when you do