The Netherlands has a vibrant and exciting local cuisine, and their desserts are in a league of their own. Read the details below and try them out for yourself whenever you visit the country.
The Netherlands is a picturesque, culturally rich and diverse land, with a hearty cuisine to its credit. While the Dutch are known for their cheeses and sausages, their desserts are in a league of their own. From the pretty and charming streets of Amsterdam to the smallest countryside villages that are quiet and quaint, one will find a variety of desserts. The common thread between them all is the love and enthusiasm the Dutch have for their desserts. From their special pancakes to pastries and biscuits, there’s variety among their desserts which is exciting and enticing. So here’s a list of the best desserts from the country that you must try whenever you visit it.
These are small pancakes that are made in a cast iron pan. They are easily available at street markets and roadside stalls. They’re often served with melted butter and a generous sprinkling of powdered sugar. But for those looking to personalize their eating experience, one can also add chocolate, fresh fruit or whipped cream. Poffertjes are also a common sight during festivals and holidays, especially in the south of the Netherlands.
This is a type of puff pastry with a long history. It first gained popularity during medieval times and continues to be a beloved dish today. It's made with dough, apples and raisins and is heavily covered with powdered sugar. To add an interesting flavor contrast, some cooks add a bit of sausage or cheese to the dessert, giving it a more rounded taste. It can be prepared by frying in oil or baking, for a healthier version, and is often enjoyed with a cup of tea.
Stroopwafels are one of those breakout desserts that are now a global favorite. They originate from Gouda, a small town in the south of Holland, and are one of the best Dutch desserts you can have. They're made by pressing two layers of a sweet dough with a caramel filling in a waffle iron. They're often placed as condiments on cups of tea, coffee or hot chocolate. As a result, the dessert softens on one side while the other stays crisp, leading to a multi textured eating experience.
This is a traditional spiced cake that acquires a brown color because of the use of rye in the baking process. The spices include cinnamon sugar, ginger, vanilla, nutmeg and cloves. The hot cake is topped with a thick layer of butter on top when serving. This dish varies depending on the region of the country you're in. For instance, in the north, the baker will add star anise to the batter. It's a tricky and time consuming cake to make, but satisfying to get right.
The speculoos is a spiced biscuit made during the holiday season in the Netherlands, especially on the occasion of Sinterklaas or St Nicholas Day, which falls on 6 December. The name comes from the latin word speculator, which means ‘one who sees everything’, which is the saint. The recipe calls for cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves, and these spiced biscuits have a loyal following in the world of Dutch desserts.
Pepernoten are essentially mini speculoos and have an interesting story connected to them. The story goes that St Nicholas tossed gold coins into the windows of those who left things out for him. A tradition formed in response, where the Dutch throw some pepernoten into children’s rooms that they’ll hunt for on the day of the festival.
The tompouce is a variation of the French mille feuille or Napoleon dessert. It's a rich and iconic cake that responds to special occasions in the netherlands. For instance, on King’s Day, which falls on 27 April, an orange frosting is used to signify that the baker is honoring the royal family of the country.
This is essentially the Dutch version of chocolate sprinkles. The hagelslag is a simple and unassuming Dutch dessert with an interesting history. The story goes that a candymaker named BE Dieperink created the dish when trapped indoors during a storm in 1919. Thus came the name hagelslag, which is Dutch for hailstorm. It refers to the chocolate sprinkles that one can find on top of buttered bread in the Netherlands. It's a favorite topping among the Dutch and found on tables during breakfast, snacks or with desserts.