The Dutch certainly understand good food, and that applies doubly to their sweets. Few people outside of the Netherlands know much about these treats beyond the famous stroopwafel.
I decided to fix that gap in knowledge by compiling 10 of my favorite Dutch cookie recipes. You will find everything from almond lace cookies to traditional pepernoten here.
Get ready to impress everyone at your next family gathering with these new baking projects.
1. Pinda Koeken Repechage
These moist cookies feature a unique appearance and a truly superb nutty flavor. They are also quite simple to prepare since the recipe requires just seven ingredients.
You must make the dough a day in advance. The process is otherwise very straightforward and quick.
It is likely you already have the necessary items in your pantry. Just grab some butter, sugar, light brown sugar, and flour along with salt, unsalted peanuts, and an egg.
2. Dutch Stroopwafels
Almost everyone has heard of famous Dutch stroopwafels even if they have never eaten one. Their amazing reputation is well deserved.
They are thin and crispy with a gooey caramel center that tastes good until the very last bite. You will definitely want to lick the filling off your fingers.
These treats take some time to perfect and require a waffle iron. The effort is absolutely worth it for the final result.
3. Traditional Dutch Pepernoten
These traditional cookies might look a little strange, but they taste absolutely fantastic. Expect a soft and chewy texture.
They are richly flavored with honey, Dutch pancake syrup, and ground aniseed plus a spice mix. I find they resemble TaaiTaai cookies but possess a slightly less intense flavor profile.
4. Kletskoppen: Dutch Almond Lace Cookies / Florentines
Do not worry if you cannot pronounce “kletskoppen.” You can simply call them Florentines or Dutch almond lace cookies instead. Locals will understand what you mean regardless of the name.
These fabulous sweets are incredibly thin and crispy like chips. The flavor combines sweet caramel and cinnamon with nuts.
This is the only way to go if you prefer your desserts to have a serious crunch.
5. Marzipan-Stuffed Cookie or Dutch Gevulde Koeken
These filled treats resemble miniature pies stuffed with marzipan. They are simple to prepare and offer a spectacularly yummy sweet tart lemon sugar flavor. The edges remain crisp while the interior stays soft and fluffy like cake.
You will love them if you are already a fan of marzipan. Give them a try even if you feel unsure about that particular ingredient.
6. Arnhemse Meisjes
Dutch bakers seem to be experts at creating super thin and crunchy cookies. These flat wafers are coated in sugar and possess an excellent sweet tangy taste.
The flavor is surprisingly complex considering you only need five ingredients. You start with puff pastry squares and add cinnamon, vanilla sugar, cardamom, and lime zest. Perhaps those contrasting ingredients give the wafers their distinct taste.
7. TaaiTaai: Traditional Dutch Holiday Chewy Honey Spice Cookie
These lovely cookies are a traditional staple for holiday celebrations in the Netherlands and Germany. They are delightfully thin with a soft and chewy texture that sets them apart from crunchier options.
You must prepare the dough at least a day ahead of time.
The darkly sweet and rich taste combines brown sugar, honey, and ground anise. They might remind you of molasses, sugar cookies, and licorice rolled into one.
8. Kue Kastengel (Dutch-Indonesian Cheese Tarts)
These Dutch cheese tarts offer the perfect balance of savory and sweet. Give these a try if you prefer your desserts to feature a touch of rich cheesiness.
You can create between 40 and 45 tarts in about 40 minutes. They taste best when made with Edam cheese.
You can substitute Gouda or parmesan if you have trouble finding Edam in the States.
9. Krakelingen: Sweet Dutch Pretzel Cookies
Krakelingen might look challenging to create, but they are likely the easiest cookies on this list. You need just three ingredients including puff pastry dough, sugar, and water.
Simply roll out the dough before you add water and shape the pretzels. Cover them in sugar and bake.
The entire process takes under 80 minutes with much of that being chill time.
10. Dutch Speculaas Cookies
Many people are familiar with Speculaas because companies often include them in holiday tins. Using a carved rolling pin makes them extravagantly beautiful, but the crisp texture and warm spiced flavor remain the same regardless.
Why not go the extra step and use a pretty rolling pin if you are making them anyway? They honestly do not last long enough for most people to admire them.