Dutch Sweet Treats

Aweh, guys!

So, we have officially been in the Netherlands for six months today! That’s pretty crazy. It feels like a lifetime when in reality no time has really passed in the grand scheme of things. I guess that’s what happens when you pack so much in to such a short period of time. On our three monthiversary, I made a post about amazing Dutch cuisine, so I feel that it is fair that the tradition continues, this time with sweet treats!

Stroopwafel

The unparalleled stroopwafel is a Dutch icon, and it’s easy to see why. Crispy, sweet, gooey… Perfect with a cup of tea, and perfectly fine without. Warming your stroopwafel over your cup of hot beverage adds a slight sog factor, but a decadently melted caramel awaits. It also comes in any variant you can imagine! Caramel, salted caramel, orange, strawberry, lavender and black pepper, mango and chilli… the list goes on. And if you happen upon a market selling fresh stroopwafels from the griddle, it truly is a transcendent thing. Just keep it flat or the warm caramel will pour out the end.

Poffertjes

There is a universal Dutch obsession with pancakes. They like them sweet; they like them savoury; they like them large and thin and they like them tiny and thick… the last one forming the category of poffertjes.

Poffertjes are the size of an old South African R1 coin and they are cooked in dimpled pan, turned in rapid fire succession to prevent burning before being finished off wish a pat of butter and icing sugar. You can order other toppings like strawberries or Nutella but either way, they are amazing!

Tompouce

Admittedly our first reaction was to laugh at the name (typical South Africans), but this turned out to be one amazing custard slice. Traditionally they are pink (or orange to celebrate King’s Day) but they can be more elaborately decorated. Almost impossible to eat with utensils, the best way is either layer by layer or to pick the whole thing up, etiquette be damned!

Hagelslag

You may have asked yourself on occasion, “What does a Dutch child eat for breakfast?” assuming some form of cereal, maybe bacon and eggs but you would be most incorrect. The traditional Dutch breakfast consists of a slice of buttered bread and toast covered in chocolate sprinkles! Hagelslag comes in many different varieties. You get milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, a mixture, fruity, extra-large, grated and if a baby is born you get blue or pink varieties too. We also like to put them in pancakes! “While it may not seem like the most balanced breakfast-”
“Shut up, it’s sprinkles on toast!”

Vlaai

Oh vlaai, there is no one quite like you. Hundreds of options, all delicious, lovingly selected with my nose pressed up against the glass.

You are unpretentious but fancy. You can be dressed up or dressed down but regardless of what you are wearing, you are never a disappointment… So how can I describe you? You are a tart with all sorts of dreamy variety… There is the basic cherry vlaai bursting with ripe fruit, the black forest vlaai with dark chocolate, whipped cream and even more cherries, the rijstvlaai (our personal favourite) filled with creamy bruleed rice pudding and the illusive stroopwafel vlaai I have yet to get my hands on. The vlaai obsession in this house is real, with Friday having been converted to Vlaaiday…

Stroopwafel vlaai - why do you elude me so?