In the Netherlands, we have a lot of typical Dutch Cookies. I already shared a lot of them here on In Laura’s Bakery, and I promise to share more. For now, I will share my 10 favorite Dutch cookie recipes with you!
10 Dutch Cookies You Will Love
I Love Dutch Cookies
I grew up with Dutch cookies as a part of everyday life. We would bake cookies for Christmas, Sinterklaas or New Years Eve. But also whenever we would have friends and family visiting.
A lot of the cookies I love are also closely tied to traditions, seasons, and special moments. Speculaas was always made around Sinterklaas, filling the house with the warm scent of spices every December. Stroopwafels felt like a real treat, something you’d buy fresh at the market or enjoy slowly with a cup of coffee, letting the caramel soften just enough.
Dutch Cookie Recipes
But as much as Dutch cookie recipes tell the story of my childhood as well as my everyday life; Dutch cookies tell a story of our history as well. Thanks to centuries of trade, spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg became essential to Dutch baking, creating the history of many of the cookies we still eat today.
Of course since it is my job to bake the most delicious cookies ánd to show you a part of my heritage I have created a collection of some famous Dutch cookie recipes.
From simple, buttery zandkoekjes to festive bokkenpootjes made for celebrations, these recipes are pretty nostalgic to me on the one hand, but on the other they are still very much part of the cookies I bake almost weekly.
In this roundup, I’m sharing my favorite Dutch cookie recipes, the ones I grew up with, still bake today, and love to pass on. Enjoy!
Gevulde koeken
Let’s start with one of my favorites; gevulde koeken (Dutch almond paste filled cookies) There is nothing better than to enjoy one while just freshly made out of the oven. With the crunchy crust and a warm sweet filling.
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Gevulde koeken recipe
An authentic Dutch cookie recipe: gevulde koeken! With this recipe you can make the most delicious almond paste filled cookies all by yourself.
Kerstkransjes
Next is a cookie that is pretty much restricted to the last quarter of the year, but can – of course – be made year round. Kerstkransjes. (Christmas wreath cookies) Crunchy and delicious, especially when sprinkled with sliced almonds.
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Dutch Christmas Wreath Cookies Recipe
Have you ever tried making buttery Dutch Christmas wreath cookies? With this recipe, you can easily make them yourself. I'll bet they taste much better than store-bought cookies!
Bokkenpootjes
Another favorite (but let’s face it, they are all my favorite!) is a recipe for bokkenpootjes (Almond meringue cookies) It’s a type of sandwich cookie but addictively delicious!
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Dutch bokkenpootjes – Almond meringue cookies
These famous Dutch cookies are called bokkenpootjes and are a delicious treat!
This recipe makes for 24 single layer cookies, but for 12 finished Dutch bokkenpootjes
Dutch stroopwafels
Probably one of the most famous Dutch cookies. Go anywhere in the world and there is a good chance that they’ve heard of stroopwafels. And there is a very good reason for that!
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Dutch stroopwafel recipe
Make your own Stroopwafels? Yes, you can! With this recipe for Dutch stroopwafels, you will see that it is really not difficult to make these stroopwafels at home.
Gevulde speculaas
A little bit similar to gevulde koek but with a different taste, crunch and shape is gevulde speculaas.
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Gevulde speculaas (Dutch almond paste filled speculaas cookies)
The best filled speculaas are the ones you make at home! In my case, this should include a not too thick layer of almond paste, but this is up to you.
Boterkoek
Dutch boterkoek or Dutch butter cake can be made in many different shapes and flavors. You can use as a crust for a cheesecake for instance or just enjoy on it’s own.
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Dutch butter cake recipe
A good Dutch butter cake is rich in flavor, dense and creamy. With this recipe, you can make a traditional 'boterkoek' at home.
Speculaas or windmill cookies
Speculaas is usually also made into different shapes and this is the recipe used to make Dutch windmill cookies too.
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Speculaas cookies recipe
Making your own Speculaas cookies with the Speculaas board is easier than you think! I share my recipe and all my tips for perfect speculaas cookies.
Dutch pepernoten
Pepernoten (also referred to as kruidnoten) are another tradition that is closely linked to the month of December, but can be found in stores starting from September (or sometimes even sooner) They are that popular. I have a soft spot for them as well. Want to know why? Make them yourself with this easy recipe!
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Dutch pepernoten recipe
Baking Dutch pepernoten is easy and fun! Also fun to do with children.
Zandkoekjes
Zandkoekjes or sand cookies are probably the most basic cookie recipe out there, but they are buttery and crumbly and worth making! It’s very similar to a shortbread cookie.
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Dutch sand cookies (shortbread cookie dough)
This delicious basic cookie recipe allows you to make a variety of cookies in addition to shortbread.
Krakelingen (sweet Dutch pretzel cookies)
This delicious recipe can be made in two separate ways. Both delicious, but one a little easier than the other.
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Krakelingen – Dutch Pretzel Cookies
Classic krakelingen, well known in the Netherlands and worth trying for yourself. These crunchy sugar cookies are absolutely delicious and so much fun to make.
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Homemade Dutch speculaas chunks (speculaasbrokken)
Welcome to Laura’s Bakery
Hi There!
Welcome to Laura’s Bakery! You’ve come to the right place for the most delicious baked goods and appetizers. With my easy recipes for home bakers I will show you that baking is fun and delicious.
Have fun baking!
