The Netherlands is renowned for its delectable cookie culture, with a rich tradition of delicious treats that are often overlooked outside of the country. While many people may be familiar with stroopwafels, there’s more to Dutch cookies than just this popular favorite. In fact, there are numerous traditional Dutch cookie recipes that are worth discovering and sharing with friends and family.
This list includes not only stroopwafels but also classic almond lace cookies and pepernoten, among other mouthwatering options. If you’re looking to try something new and exciting, look no further – let’s dive into the world of traditional Dutch cookies.
Kletskoppen
In Belgium and the Netherlands, these delectable treats are known as Kletskoppen or Brugse kant, which literally means ‘lace of Bruges.’ The reference is not just a nod to the city’s intricate architecture, but also reflected in the cookies’ delicate design. For those who struggle with the pronunciation, they’re also commonly referred to as almond lace cookies or Florentines.
Regardless of what you call them, these cookies are a culinary delight, featuring a crispy and remarkably thin base that borders on being more like a chip than a traditional cookie. The nutty, sweet, cinnamon, and caramel flavors meld together in perfect harmony, making them utterly irresistible. If you’re a fan of crunchy cookies, these are the ones for you. After trying them, you’ll be hooked and never settle for regular cookies again.
Kue Kastengel
Kue Kastengel, a delightful Dutch-Indonesian treat known as cheese tarts, has its roots in traditional Dutch Kaasstengels. These savory pastries are a staple at festive occasions like Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Eid Al Fitr in Indonesia. What sets them apart is the perfect harmony of sweet and savory flavors that will satisfy any cheese enthusiast. With this recipe, you’ll be able to create 40-45 cheese tarts in approximately 40 minutes – not too shabby!
For optimal results, Edam cheese is recommended, but if it’s hard to find in the US, Gouda or Parmesan make excellent substitutes.
Dutch Stroopwafels
Indulge in the sweet allure of the Netherlands by recreating the quintessential stroopwafel, a caramel-filled cookie that has captured the hearts of tourists and locals alike. The simplicity of this recipe belies its complexity – a delicate balance of yeast, butter, egg, flour, and caster sugar yields the perfect waffle-like exterior, while a rich blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, and molasses crafts the indulgent filling.
As you take your first bite, the satisfying crunch gives way to a velvety smoothness that will leave you craving more. But resist the urge to devour these treats straight from the oven – the wait is well worth it, as the caramel’s deep flavors unfold with each subsequent bite.
Krakelingen
Indulge in the simplicity of making flaky krakelingen cookies, a sweet treat that requires just three ingredients: sugar, water, and puff pastry dough – likely already stocked in your pantry. The process is surprisingly effortless, involving a straightforward sequence of rolling, cutting, shaping, sugaring, and baking. In fact, from start to finish, these delightful treats shouldn’t occupy more than 80 minutes of your time, with the majority spent chilling the dough.
Plus, the recipe’s simplicity makes it an ideal activity to share with the kids – a fun bonding experience that yields delicious results.
Traditional Dutch TaaiTaai
In the Netherlands, there existed a tradition of specialization among bakers, with distinct categories for those who focused on cookies and cakes, bread, pies, and sugar work. This taai-taai recipe is thus classified under the cake baker category. When translated, ‘taai-taai’ literally means ‘tough-tough’, a name that aptly describes these classic Sinterklaas cookies, whose chewy texture is largely attributed to the presence of honey.
Typically made using festive molds during seasonal celebrations, they also boast a distinct aniseed flavor. Contrary to the ingredient list’s appearance, making these cookies is surprisingly straightforward, provided one allows the dough to rest for at least a day. The end result is a rich-tasting, darkly sweet cookie that combines the flavors of ground anise, brown sugar, honey, and more, resulting in a decadent treat.
Arnhemse Meisjes
The Dutch have a reputation for crafting exquisite cookies that are delightfully thin and crunchy. One of their signature treats is a sugar-coated wafer cookie with an intriguingly complex flavor profile, despite its modest ingredient list. The combination of five simple ingredients yields a surprisingly nuanced taste experience. To begin, you’ll start by preparing the puff pastry squares.
Here, you’ll combine cardamom, cinnamon, lime zest, and vanilla sugar to create a harmonious blend that’s both contrasting and divine. As you mix these flavors together, be prepared for the tray to empty rapidly – they’re just that irresistible!
Pinda Koeken Repechage
The pinda koeken repechage cookies are a delightful treat that combines a unique appearance with an irresistible taste. The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make, requiring only seven ingredients. Unlike some other cookie recipes, this one doesn’t require extensive preparation or special equipment. Simply prepare the dough a day in advance and let it chill before baking. With a straightforward recipe like this, you can expect a quick turnaround time from start to finish.
The essential ingredients are minimal – flour, butter, light brown sugar, sugar, unsalted peanuts, an egg, and salt – which is likely what you already have stocked in your pantry. All that’s left is the pleasure of indulging in these tasty treats.
Dutch Speculaas Cookies
These Speculaas cookies, also affectionately known as Dutch Windmill Cookies, boast a delightful combination of crunchy texture and warm spices that surpass expectations. A beloved tradition in the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Germany, these treats are an integral part of the Christmas season’s culinary landscape. Although they typically take on iconic shapes like windmills or St.
Nicholas figures through molding or stamping, this recipe offers a similar flavor profile without the need for custom molds. When finished with a sprinkle of almond slices, these cookies are sure to vanish quickly from the platter.
Marzipan-Stuffed Cookie/ Dutch Gevulde Koeken
Imagine indulging in miniature pies packed with rich marzipan filling – these cookies offer a similar delight. Not only do they boast an effortless preparation process, but their lemony and sweet flavor profile is simply irresistible. The exterior yields a satisfying crunch, while the interior surprises with a fluffy and soft texture that borders on cake-like tenderness.
Pepernoten
In the Netherlands, pepernoten cookies are a beloved tradition during the Sinterklaas festivities. These classic treats boast a unique blend of anise and honey, resulting in a fragrant and flavorful batch that’s hard to resist. It’s essential to note that while they may share similarities with kruidnoten – another popular cookie type enjoyed around St. Nicholas’ Day – pepernoten has its own distinct character.
The key to pepernoten’s charm lies in its use of ground aniseed and honey, which imbues the cookies with a subtle licorice flavor and a delightfully chewy texture. In contrast, kruidnoten is more akin to gingerbread, offering a spicy and sweet combination that’s also worth trying.
Kruidnoten Cookies
Indulge in the warm, comforting aroma of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, white pepper, nutmeg, and cloves as these kruidnoten cookies fill your holiday season with festive cheer. The subtle notes of molasses add depth to this traditional Christmas treat, which is even more delightful when made from scratch rather than store-bought.
Pindakoeken Cookies
While traditional pindakoeken recipes often require a short baking time, this unique recipe takes a different approach by allowing the cookies to chill overnight in the refrigerator. This innovative step results in a soft and moist texture that’s sure to delight. Don’t worry, though – the peanut butter flavors and satisfying crunch remain intact.
To make these delicious treats, you’ll only need a handful of everyday ingredients: butter, flour, sugar, light brown sugar, salt, unsalted peanuts, and an egg. Chances are, you already have most of these staples in your pantry!
Final Thoughts
The art of cookie-making is taken to new heights in the Netherlands, where a rich tradition of sweet treats has been passed down through generations. From the crunchy pepernoten and buttery stroopwafels to the tangy bitterkoekjes and whimsical kletskoppen, Dutch cookies are a staple of any bakery or kitchen. To indulge in these tasty morsels, grab a glass of cold milk and don your favorite oven mitts, ready to get baking and experience the delight of these classic Dutch cookie recipes.
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.