Stroopwafels are, without a doubt, one of the most popular Dutch cookies. The Dutch word stroopwafel (pronounced as [ˈstroːpˌʋaːfəl]) literally translates to ‘syrup waffle’. This sweet and sticky treat is extremely popular in the Netherlands and, unlike other popular Dutch foods, is eaten regularly by Dutchies.
What is a stroopwafel?
A stroopwafel is a big, round and thin wafer cookie sandwich with a sticky caramel syrup in the middle. They are made with a dough that is composed of flour, yeast, brown sugar, butter, milk, and eggs. To make the cookies, a small ball of dough is placed inside a shallow waffle iron. The dough is baked for only 30 seconds to 1 minute so that the outside is crisp and the inside stays soft. This allows for a separation of the waffle into two halves, which are then joined together by a warm caramel syrup. As the stroopwafel cools down, the caramel will set and keep the two waffle halves together. Interestingly, the birthplace of the stroopwafel is Gouda, which also happens to be the birthplace of one of the most famous Dutch cheeses: Goudse kaas, or Gouda Cheese.
Where can you buy stroopwafels?
Thanks to the immense popularity of stroopwafels, stroopwafels are available almost everywhere in the Netherlands. Generally, you can divide stroopwafels into two kinds: freshly baked ones, and standard ones. Standard ones are mainly available in supermarkets, and while they are tasty, they cannot beat freshly baked ones with regards to taste. Food trucks and market stalls often sell freshly baked stroopwafels, and they will even show you how they make them. There are also dedicated stroopwafel shops, which you will mostly find throughout touristy areas in big cities. Their quality is somewhere between supermarket stroopwafels and market stall stroopwafels, but their prices are often unreasonably high.
What is the best way to eat a stroopwafel?
The best way to eat normal stroopwafels, is to do like the Dutch, and place your stroopwafel on a steaming cup of tea. The heat will turn the caramel syrup soft(er), and overall the taste will be more intense. If you have a freshly baked stroopwafel, eat it while it is still warm! Although if you prefer a crispier cookie, you’re better off letting the stroopwafel cool down a bit. That way, the caramel will set, and the waffles themselves will have released all of their steam, which means a crispier stroopwafel!
Where Can You Eat the Best Stroopwafel?
In our opinion, you can eat the very best stroopwafels at De Vlaam in Gouda. They are extremely tasty, crispy, and their taste is simply superior to any other stroopwafel we have tried. If you do not have the time during your trip to go to Gouda, you can also order De Vlaam’s stroopwafels via their website. If you have a hotel with good service amenities, it should not be a problem to get packages delivered there, including some delicious stroopwafels!
Do you have any more questions about stroopwafels? Let us know in the comments down and we’ll answer your question as soon as possible!
