Sweets & Snacks
The Netherlands is a paradise for sweet tooths — the selection of sweets is impressive:
- Stroopwafels — Two thin waffle slices with caramel syrup in between. Fresh from the market (warm, sticky, divine) or packaged from the supermarket. THE quintessential Dutch souvenir. Tip: Place the packaged Stroopwafel on top of a hot coffee cup — the syrup becomes soft and flowing.
- Poffertjes — Tiny, fluffy pancakes with butter and powdered sugar. At stands on markets and fairs. A plate (15 pieces) from 5 €.
- Pannenkoeken — Dutch pancakes: larger and thinner than German ones, with bacon, cheese, apple, or syrup. Pannenkoekenhuizen are family-friendly restaurants.
- Drop — Licorice in every conceivable form: sweet, salty, double-salted (extreme salty licorice — only for the brave!), soft, hard. The Dutch consume more licorice per capita than any other nation.
- Vla — A thick vanilla pudding available in every supermarket. Flavors: vanilla, chocolate, caramel, hopjes (coffee). Drunk straight from the carton.
- Tompouces — Puff pastry treats with pink icing (on King's Day: orange). The Dutch version of the mille-feuille.
- Oliebollen — Fried dough balls with raisins, the Dutch New Year's Eve pastry. Available at stands everywhere from November.
💡 Tipp
For the best Stroopwafel in Amsterdam: Not the touristy Albert Cuyp Market, but the stand at the Noordermarkt (Saturday) or the Original Stroopwafel Bakkerij van Wonderen (Kalverstraat). Fresh and warm makes the difference!
