10 Famous Dutch Desserts (Traditional Recipes) (2024)

If you’re in the mood for super sweet, decadent desserts, you can’t go wrong with Dutch desserts.

They’re rich, full of creamy deliciousness, and over-the-top incredible.

Dutch chefs incorporate lots of syrup, sugar, and spices into their desserts for a robust, complex flavor that makes every bite something to savor.

10 Famous Dutch Desserts (Traditional Recipes) (1)

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In appearance, Dutch desserts look a lot like the sweets you’d find in any American bakery – thick slices of fruity pies, cookies of all shapes and sizes, and multi-layered pastries.

So, if you’re looking for an after-dinner treat that’s new and exotic but not too different from your family’s favorites, Dutch desserts are right for you.

1. Dutch Stroopwafel

This crunchy treat is one of the most well-loved Dutch desserts on the list.

At first glance, most people think they’re waffles, but although the texture is the same, they’re much thinner than waffles.

Stroopwafels feature two thin, crispy waffle-like wafers surrounding a creamy, caramel-flavored center made from molasses, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon.

They’re a little messy, and they’ll definitely leave your fingers sticking to things after you eat them, but they are unbelievably delectable.

2. Arnhemse Meisjes

You can make these thin, crackling cookies with only five ingredients – puff pastry squares, vanilla sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and lime zest.

You’ll love the delightful crunch when you bite into them, and the gorgeous cinnamon sugar coating on top makes each one look delicate, elegant, and a tiny bit sparkly!

It takes less than an hour to make a batch of these incredible cookies, and if you’re a fan of dipping your sweets in coffee or tea, these are the treats for you.

3. Dutch Apple Pie

Apple pie may be as “American” as baseball and pickup trucks, but the Dutch have us beat when it comes to making it. I won’t lie; this pie takes some time to pull together.

However, one look at its gorgeous appearance, one whiff of its mouth-watering aroma, and one taste of its apple goodness, and you’ll know it was worth it.

The crust is warm and flaky, and the filling is chunky, sweet, and spicy. But you won’t stop there!

This Dutch apple pie also has a rich, buttery, golden-brown streusel crumb topping.

Americans may love apple pie, but they need to look to the Dutch if they want the most amazing one possible.

4. Dutch Speculaas Cookies

Most people call these speculaas, but to me, they’re just spice cookies.

One bite of that sweet cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and white pepper flavor, and you’ll understand why.

These thin, almond-topped cookies are lovely and taste great any time of year, but thanks to their distinct blend of spices, they’re the perfect Christmas cookie.

Make them for yourself or to exchange with friends and family. Either way, no one will be disappointed in them.

5. Oliebollen (Dutch Doughnuts)

It’s hard to decide what to love more about these warm, deep-fried delicacies: their incredible taste or how fun it is to say their name.

For me, it’s a toss-up. I love both. If you’re a fan of beignets, then you’ll love oliebollen, as well. The two are very similar in both taste and texture.

With or without powdered sugar, these are certainly something that no one would turn down if given a chance.

6. Dutch Letters (S Cookies)

Dutch letters, or ‘S’ Cookies as people sometimes call them, are popular in many places worldwide and understandably so.

They’re buttery, flaky, and nutty, and they have an excellent filling of almond paste that nearly melts in your mouth.

The sugar topping adds an extra bit of crunch and sweetness, making them even better.

(Note: Depending on where you live, these cookies may not be ‘S’-shaped. Some places make them into round ‘O’s instead.)

7. Sweet Dutch Pretzels

Dutch pretzels share the same shape as the Rold Gold Mini Twists you can pick up at any grocery store. However, that’s where the similarities end.

These pretzels are soft, buttery, and covered in sugary goodness. They take a bit of time to prepare, but the process is just time-consuming, not difficult.

Once they’re ready, you can cook them in just 15 minutes.

If you’re looking for a nice, sugary snack to brighten up the day, these Dutch pretzels fit the bill.

8. Kruidnoten (Dutch Little Spiced Cookies)

Kruidnotens and speculaas cookies both share very similar flavors.

They’re both traditional Dutch “spice cookies” and share several ingredients – nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, to name a few.

However, kruidnotens are much thicker and rounder, and they don’t share the same nuttiness as the speculaas. They also won’t take nearly as long to make.

So, if you’re looking for a batch of spice cookies that you can whip up in less than an hour, these are your better bet.

9. Dutch Butter Cake with Almonds

“Butter cake” may not sound like something that’s super appetizing, but it’s actually pretty incredible. It’s soft, moist, fluffy, and tastes primarily of almonds.

The flavor is rich and wonderful, but it’s also understated and not overpoweringly sweet.

Additionally, to be made with such simple ingredients, the cake is quite lovely.

It’s simple, but there’s a beauty in that simplicity that’ll remind you of something your gramma would have made years ago.

It’s warm, comforting, and feels a bit like coming home.

10. Tompouce

This flavorful orange dessert is insanely easy to make, and you’ll only need five ingredients to prepare it!

You’ll start with a layer of puff pastry. Then, you’ll make a simple filling of pastry cream mix and whipping cream.

All that is delicious enough, but then you’ll top the whole thing off with a mix of powdered sugar and exciting food colors for extra flair.

The whole confection is pretty, fun, and a delightful mix of crunchy pastry and creamy filling.

Plus, you can make the tompouce as said or as elaborate as you like.

Want to make a rainbow tompouce? Cover it in rainbow sprinkles!

Want to make a Halloween tompouce? Use orange food coloring with black sprinkles! Valentine’s Day? Pink and red!

The options are pretty limitless.

10 Famous Dutch Desserts (Traditional Recipes) (2)

10 Famous Dutch Desserts

These famous Dutch desserts are so sweet and decadent. From stroopwafel to apple pie to cookies, you’ll love these traditional treats.

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a Dutch dessert in 30 minutes or less!
10 Famous Dutch Desserts (Traditional Recipes) (3)

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10 Famous Dutch Desserts (Traditional Recipes) (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular dessert in the Netherlands? ›

Stroopwafel. The most famous and popular dessert in the Netherlands comes in the form of a stroopwafel! The stroop is a special sweet syrup sandwiched between two thin layers of baked waffle batter.

What sweets are the Dutch known for? ›

The Dutch definitely have a sweet tooth, so make sure to sample the pastries and local treats from Dutch bakeries whenever traveling through this beautiful European country.
  • Poffertjes (Mini Pancake) ...
  • Appelflap (Puff Pastry) ...
  • Stroopwafel (Waffle Cookie) ...
  • Ontbijtkoek (Spiced Breakfast Cake)

What is a typical dessert in Amsterdam? ›

The stroopwafel is one of the most popular desserts in Amsterdam as it was invented here. Two thinly pressed disks made of spiced cookie dough with a golden caramel center. Rudi's Original Stroopwafels sells the original recipe and serves each stroopwafel fresh out of the oven.

What is the desert in the Netherlands? ›

A piece of desert in Holland – that's what Dunes of Loon and Drunen National Park is, right in the middle of the province of Noord-Brabant. One of Holland's largest natural areas and the largest sand drift area in western Europe, these dunes formed around 10,000 years ago.

Do Dutch people eat dessert before dinner? ›

The Dutch eat relatively early starting from 5 to 7 p.m., families mostly eat together around the dinner table. A typical Dutch dinner meal consists of potatoes, meat and vegetables, served with gravy. Dinner is often followed by a dessert in the form of yogurt or coffee.

What is the Netherlands favorite chocolate? ›

When you think of chocolate brands in this country, Milka probably comes first. In the Netherlands, the Droste brand would be synonymous with Milka's reputation. Especially the older generations in the Netherlands grew up with the small chocolate pastilles of Droste. Incredibly creamy taste and full-bodied chocolate.

What is the most iconic Dutch food? ›

1. Poffertjes. Probably one of the most famous Dutch dishes, Poffertjes are small pancakes, baked in an iron skillet, and traditionally served with melted butter and dusted with icing sugar.

What do they eat for breakfast in the Netherlands? ›

A typical Dutch breakfast consists of bread, whether or not toasted, with cheesemeat butter and sweet toppingslike chocolate spread, sprinkles and flakes. In addition to a sandwich, Dutch people also often eat rusks, gingerbread, currant bread or a plate of porridge.

What is puff pastry called in the Netherlands? ›

Banket. Banket or banketstaaf is a traditional Dutch pastry consisting of puff pastry that is filled with almond paste. It is sometimes additionally brushed with fruit jam and garnished with cherries or almonds on top.

What is a Dutch letter pastry? ›

Known in Dutch as banketstaaf, banketletter, boterletter, or letterbanket, Dutch letters are rolled, log-like pastries made with banket, a puff pastry with an almond paste filling. The pastry is formed into the initial of families' surnames or the letter S.

What is the famous pie in Amsterdam? ›

The famous Winkel apple pie, in Amsterdam: I believe what makes Winkel's version of the Dutch apple pie so addictive is the crust: it's sweet, crumbly, and crunchy. The top of their pie is especially satisfying because it's thinner and less pressed so that it eats more like a crumble than a classic pie.

What desserts is the Netherlands known for? ›

Stroopwafel. These delicious Dutch cookies consist of a very thin layer of syrup, sugar, butter, and cinnamon that is sandwiched between two thin wafers. Stroopwafels were invented in the late 18th century in the city of Gouda, and many sources give credit to a baker named Gerard Kamphuisen as their inventor.

What desert is Amsterdam known for? ›

Amsterdam may be best known for its delicious deep-filled appel taart, but the dessert cart doesn't stop there.

What are 3 popular foods in the Netherlands? ›

Here are some well-known, traditional Dutch dishes:
  • AVG'tje. This standard term for a Dutch dinner stands for Aardappel, Vlees, Groenten, or potato, meat and vegetables. ...
  • Pea soup / snert. ...
  • Hutspot. ...
  • Stamppot. ...
  • Hachee. ...
  • Brown bean soup. ...
  • Pancakes. ...
  • Huzarensalade.

What is a delicacy in Netherlands? ›

1. Poffertjes. Probably one of the most famous Dutch dishes, Poffertjes are small pancakes, baked in an iron skillet, and traditionally served with melted butter and dusted with icing sugar. You can enjoy these all year round, but Christmas and New Year are typically the best times to have them.

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