I’m going to show you the different types of sugary toppings and Dutch sandwich spreads that are typically eaten in the Netherlands. The Dutch love their bread and eat it in many different ways.
Classic peanut butter
Peanut butter or what they call Pindakaas which translates to peanut cheese in Dutch is a common spread eaten in the Netherlands. The Netherlands has a variety of peanut butter stores all over the country. The most known store is called the Pindakaaswinkel which I recommend visiting if you’re a peanut butter lover.
Speculaas spread – the best of them all
Speculaas is a type of spiced shortbread cookie that tastes similar to gingerbread. It is a holiday treat that is common in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. Cinnamon, cloves, and ginger are some of the spices you will notice immediately. Speculaas spread is made up of speculaas cookies and usually eaten on bread. In the states, speculaas spread is advertised as cookie butter.
Shudde Buijkes
These are bite-sized speculaas cookies shaped like miniature buttons. There is no difference in taste from original speculaas. The proper way to eat shudde buijkes is by spreading butter on a piece of bread and putting these mini cookies on top. I have to admit that butter on top bread with cookies or other sugary concoctions is not my cup of tea.
Hagelslag – an acquired taste
Do you like sprinkles on your buttered bread? I’ve always found this bizarre but Hagelslaag as the Dutch call it, is a sandwich spread for breakfast. It is a popular treat for children and comfort food for many adults since it goes back to childhood days. Hagelslaag comes in different flavors such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, sometimes a mix of both. You can even find varieties containing small candies or crunchy bits.
What is hagelslag made of?
The hagelslag pictured above is made out of sugar, cacao, rice flour, milk, and processed ingredients.
Is hagelslag the same as sprinkles?
Hagelslag is very similar to sprinkles, however, it contains more cocoa. The sprinkles that we are accustomed to in the US contain artificial flavors, corn syrup, cornstarch, high amounts of sugar, and sometimes beeswax and palm oil. Additionally, in the states, sprinkles are used for baking and desserts so eating them on bread is an entirely new concept (at least for me).
