If there is anything that can make us feel even more excited about the upcoming festive months despite the cold weather and short days, then that undoubtedly would be the Dutch winter sweets! While every season in the Netherlands has its own special treat that we can indulge in like the cute little chocolate Easter eggs or the rich and creamy ‘softijs’, the winter treats most definitely deserve their own moment of recognition. From the numerous flavours of ‘kruidnoten’, to the decadent filled ‘speculaas’ cookies and the (heart)warming ‘oliebollen’, today’s blog is a celebration of the most beloved Dutch winter snacks!

Kruidnoten

The symbol of the approaching winter, a true classic, an all-time favourite - the ‘kruidnoten’! Full of flavourful spices, these small, sweet, round-shaped cookies are typical for that time of the year because they are associated with the festivities around the arrival of Sinterklaas. He is a traditional folklore figure based on Saint Nicholas, celebrated as a kind, gift-bringing man who comes from Spain around mid-November to bring presents to children on December 5th (Sinterklaasavond). The kruidnoten come in all kinds of flavours  - from the simple nonetheless delicious ones to the ones covered in layers of chocolate. These cookies can be bought in the supermarket usually already from late August, however, they completely disappear from the shelves around the 4th of December as everyone is stocking up on them before the Sinterklaas evening. So keep that in mind if you still want to try them!

Strooisnoep

Coming from the same “festive field”, so to say, the ‘strooisnoep’, literally translated as throwing candy, is yet another sweet snack that is connected to the arrival of Sinterklaas. These candies, together with the kruidnoten, are usually thrown in the crowd by the helpers of Sinterklaas when they all arrive on a big festive boat. The strooisnoop is, in fact, a mix of candies which consist of softer, more chewy ones and some bigger harder treats. You might be able to find them in bags mixed with kruidnoten or sold separately in a bag.

Filled Speculaas & Marzipan

Decadent, flavourful and perfect for the afternoon coffee break, ‘gevulde speculaas’  or filled speculaas is a sweet treat that consists of two layers soft speculaas cookie with a fragrant almond filling in between. It is “filled” because speculaas is usually a cookie of its own that resembles quite a bit the dough from which kruidnoten are made of due to the mix of spices present in it - cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and others. One of the best filled speculaas can be bought from the bakery stalls during market days since they are freshly made! 

If you find yourself to be a fan of gevulde speculaas, then you will most certainly love marzipan. Originally made out of ground almonds and sugar, this treat is just another one to add to your list of ‘must-try’ Sinterklaas-themed sweets. You can find different variations of the marzipan treats such as plain marzipan balls, chocolate-covered marzipan bars or marzipan pieces shaped in the form of different fruits. Some supermarket even offer their customers to purchase marzipan in the form of slices coming from an enormous marzipan pig. The slices are charged based on their weight so this creates the feeling as if you are purchasing meat from a butcher. This unconventional way of selling marzipan has been going around for quite a while and according to some locals, its main purpose is to simply be appealing to the children.

Chocolate Letters

Another typical Dutch treat that we can enjoy only around this time of year is the delicious chocolate letters! Whether you like them with a creamy praline filling or just as they are - solid chocolate deliciousness, the chocolate letters are a snack that is once again tied to the traditions around the Sinterklaas festivities. It is believed that Sinterklaas leaves chocolate letters to the children who put their shoes by the fireplace together with other small snacks and presents. From there, it has become a tradition for people to exchange them with each other on the 5th of December. As you have probably already noticed, you can buy any letter made of chocolate, in addition to the chocolate letter “S” which, of course, stands for Sinterklaas. Pro tip for the chocolate lovers - start planning to give out letters in advance as they quickly get sold out and certain letters might become more difficult to find around the beginning of December!

Oliebollen

You know it is really wintertime when the smell of sugar and fried dough starts reaching your senses. You have probably already seen those big stands around the city shining with their bright lights and offering all kinds of deep-fried round-shaped treats, where the star of the show is what the Dutchies call, an ‘oliebol’. The oliebollen can be perceived as a Dutch doughnut as they essentially are a ball of fried dough. Oliebollen, whether plain or filled with raisins, pieces of apple, or chocolate spread, are typically served dusted with powdered sugar and are most delicious when enjoyed warm. However, the most important thing to remember is that oliebollen are an inseparable part of the celebration on New Year’s Eve (31st of December). If you want to welcome the new year the Dutch way, grab a delicious warm oliebol and don’t forget to wish everyone a “Gelukkig Nieuwjaar” (“Happy New Year”)!

Vegter’s Rolletjes

The New Year’s celebrations in the North of the Netherlands are not the same without the famous ‘Vegter’s rolletjes’ (called with such name due to the company's name that produces them)! These small tube-shaped wafer rolls that are very typical for the region, are just another traditional winter Dutch snack that we need to mention. The wafer rolls are indeed quite delicious, however, you are not supposed to eat them plain (despite their great flavour). Every pack of Vegter’s rolletjes comes with a special attachment that you are supposed to put on a can of whipped cream so you can easily fill them up with it. Slightly messy but absolutely delicious, the Vegter’s rolletjes in combination with the oliebollen are an essential part of the Dutch winter celebrations.

The Dutch winter sweets are a delightful and essential part of the holiday season. Whether you’re enjoying the crunchy sweetness of chocolate-covered kruidnoten or the decadent taste of a marzipan bar, these winter delights create a warm and inviting atmosphere, even on the coldest of days. Based on that list of treats, we can easily conclude that the Dutchies have perfected the art of ‘sweetening’ the season. If you're lucky enough to be in Groningen this winter, don’t miss out on these festive delights—they’re the perfect way to embrace the season and create your own sweet memories.