The 10 Most Delish Dutch Cookies

Arnhem sugar cookies with cinnamon

The Spruce / Karin Engelbrecht

  • 01 of 10

    Stroopwafels -- Dutch Syrup Waffles

    How to enjoy the classic Dutch stroopwafel.

    Angelika Kaczanowska / Getty Images

    We're told that the first stroopwafels were baked in Gouda in the late 1800s, but these gooey syrup waffle cookies are loved throughout the Netherlands today and taste their best when freshly (home)made.

  • 02 of 10

    Arnhemse Meisjes -- Sugared Puff Pastry Cookies

    Arnhem Sugar Cookies with Cinnamon
    Karin Engelbrecht

    These are the cookies to make if you don't have time to bake: simply roll out some quality store-bought puff pastry, dust with (cinnamon) sugar, shape and bake.

  • 03 of 10

    Traditional Dutch Speculaas Cookies

    Traditional Dutch speculaas

    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

    These traditional Dutch speculaas cookies winter-spiced cookies are traditionally enjoyed as a sinterklaas treat, but they're great any time of year. You might know them as windmill cookies or by their Flemish name, speculoos, and you've certainly been served them alongside your coffee or tea.

  • 04 of 10

    Pindakoeken -- Dutch Peanut Cookies

    Peanut-studded cookies from Holland

    The Spruce / Karin Engelbrecht

    Our peanut cookies have a crunchy bite, a satisfying snap, and a clean, nutty flavor. Once you've tasted these pindakoeken cookies, you'll be happy to leave those sad supermarket cookies to gain dust on the shelf. 

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Bastognekoeken -- Dutch Candied Sugar Cookies

    Bastognekoeken (Dutch Rock Sugar Cookies)

    The Spruce / Karin Engelbrecht

    These rock candy encrusted bastognekoeken cookies are not only a beloved tea time treat in the Netherlands, where they're also known as kandijkoeken, but are often used for the crusts for Dutch tarts and pies.

  • 06 of 10

    Krakelingen -- Sweet Dutch Pretzels

    Krakelingen (Sweet Dutch Pretzels)

    Kosmos / Getty Images

    You may know pretzels as a savory snack, but in the Netherlands, these ribbons of twisty dough are dusted in brown sugar and enjoyed as sweet cookies. Bake a batch of krakelingen today with this easy recipe.

  • 07 of 10

    Kaasstengels -- Gouda Cheese Straws

    Kaasstengels
    E. Schelkers

     For a delicious savory cookie, you can't beat flaky Gouda cheese straws. If you prefer a crisp cheese cracker to go with your Dutch cheese plate, try Gouda cheese cookies instead. 

  • 08 of 10

    Chocolate Covered Kruidnoten

    Dutch Sinterklaas cookies
    Karin Engelbrecht

    You can't go wrong with Dutch holiday cookies, and these chocolate-dipped Christmas-spiced kruidnoten cookies are no exception. You might also want to try traditional pepernoten or taai-taai.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Kletskoppen Cookies

    Bruges Lace Cookies
    Culibooks Inc.

    These thin, crispy treats are known as kletskoppen cookies in the Netherlands and are often used as a dessert garnish or as the classic koekje bij de koffie (''coffee break cookie'') in the Dutch restaurant trade. In Belgium, they go by the beautiful name of Brugse kant ("Bruges lace").

  • 10 of 10

    Fryske Dumkes -- Traditional Frisian Aniseed Cookies

    Fryske dumkes
    Karin Engelbrecht

     Native to the northern Dutch province of Friesland, these traditional "thumb cookies" have a subtle licorice flavor and a texture that is crisp and dense, making them ideal for dunking in coffee or tea.