One thing that sucks about living in another country is the lack of familiar comfort food. When I’m sick, I crave Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, and a bright pink Maine hotdog just makes a summer BBQ feel complete. I miss impromptu late-night runs to Taco Bell, and breakfast is so much easier when the grocery store stocks egg whites that come pre-separated in a little carton. That said, when I visit the States, my mentality flips and I suddenly notice the absence of my Dutch staples. Most notably, teatime is quite lacking, as stroopwafels are hard to come by in the USA.
What is a stroopwafel?
This, my friends, is a stroop:
OK, so maybe they’re not typically that decadent looking, but as they’re a daily staple in my Dutch diet, I’ve gotten a tad inventive over the years.
In the Netherlands, you can easily find stroopwafels at the grocery store, corner-mart, and all the touristy shops. And if you’re feeling super indulgent, you can buy a fresh, pipping hot stroopwafel straight off the iron, from one of Amsterdam’s many street markets.
Stroopwafels are hard to make. Once the batter is mixed and the thin cookie has been baked in the waffle iron, the cookie must then be sliced in half lengthwise, which takes a patient, knowing hand. This step is vital, as a smooth, brown sugar and cinnamon syrup is then slathered between the two cookies before they are sandwiched back together. 
The best way to eat a stroopwafel is with a hot cup of tea. Place the cookie on top of your mug and let it steam. The caramel in the center will melt and you will be left with a warm, delicious, gooey teatime snack. This is a perfectly acceptable way (and probably the normal-person way) to eat a stroopwafel. However, as I’m a total foodie, I’ve experimented over the years with various ways to deck out a stroop.
Hagelslag are a stroop’s best friend. The Dutch love hagelslag (sprinkles), and frequently eat them on toast for breakfast. I kid you not! I’ve also jumped on the hagelslag bandwagon. However, I prefer to reserve them for sweets.
Duopasta is another great Dutch product to mix and match with stroopwafels. It’s basically a hazelnut-vanilla-swirl spread, also intended for toast.
You’ve gotta love a smooth, creamy, untouched jar of goodness. There is always a moment of “ahhhh” when your knife first dips the surface.
One of the best and easiest ways to eat a stroopwafel is with a bit of hazelnut spread. 
Seriously, whip this one out next time you have guests over. Serve it for dessert with some berries and you will be labelled the hostest with the mostest.
Another great 10-second stroopwafel hack is a chocolate chip cookie impostor. Pile on the vanilla spread followed by some big chocolate sprinkles. Or if you have any on hand, try some chocolate chips.
This one might not be super fancy-pants, but it’s delicious, and looks like a chocolate chip cookie wannabe. 
Sprinkles are the best pick-me-up. If you’ve had a long day and need a happy treat, try some hazelnut spread with rainbow hagelslag!
Another combo I’m super guilty for making quite often is the whipped cream and sprinkle tower. Grab a can of whipped cream. Squirt it on as high as you can stomach, and then give it a light dusting of chocolate sprinkles. Quick, simple, and takes the stroopwafel to a whole new level.
As an American, I’m quite partial to peanut butter. So this next stroop-combo is one of my favorites!
Lather on the peanut butter.
And then chop up a small banana up over the top! Now, you could stop here. But if you were feeling really, really naughty, I would suggest that you put this baby in the microwave for about 15 seconds. This will produce the most melty, delicious dessert ever. Think personal sized peanut butter pie. 
You can also top this one off with some whipped cream and sprinkles. Always sprinkles.
Now, after just recommending the most calorific way to consumer a stroopwafel, I give you something much more dainty and simple. The stroop ‘n jam. Top a stroopwafel with the jelly or jam of your choice and eat up! This version goes particularly well with afternoon tea. 
Some days I’m a chocolate gal, and other days I can’t be bothered. Another non-chocolate favorite of mine is the vanilla-strawberry stroop. 
This one is also a crowd pleaser. Simply spread on your vanilla, and top with a bright, fresh strawberry. 
The last, and most definitely not least recipe up my sleeve is another one of my all time favorites. The stroopwafel sandwich!! Plop on a scoop of ice cream . . . 
And then give ‘er a lid! This is by far the messiest way to eat a stroopwafel, and it is also one of the best! Too hot to cook on a summer night? Have a salad and then balance it out with an ice cream stroop sandwich! You can make this bad-boy with any flavour you like. My favorite is plane-jane vanilla.
And there you have it! Next time you’re in the Netherlands, I highly recommend grabbing a bag of stroops and fancying them up! Berries, chocolate, sprinkles, spreads, vanilla ice cream. . . .the possibilities are endless!
Which one would you try??
Wow!! Delicious!! Sugar free? Not!! Those look so incredibly good.
LikeLike
Great photos! I hear you about not having familiar comfort foods…next best thing is trying to make them at home! Although peanut butter would probably be a bit difficult… :)
LikeLike
YUM!!! Thanks for visiting Autobiographical Reflections! I’m thankful to have been introduced to your blog and all of a sudden I am famished!! :)
Christie
LikeLike
You’re welcome Christie! The rope swing picture you posted reminded me of a special childhood place, so I clicked through to your site. Very happy I did – your posts are refreshingly honest and reflective. I’ll definitely be stopping by again! x
LikeLike
I wanna try all of them!!! Amazing!
LikeLike
oh my god!! I’m hungry!!! Delicious!
LikeLike
Oh my, they look so good.
LikeLike
They look sooo yummy!!
LikeLike
Since I am an ice cream sandwich maven, I’d love to try the stroopwafel variety! Seriously, all the Dutch people I know seem to be normal sized. How do they do this?
LikeLike
I’m still trying to figure that one out myself! x
LikeLike
I’d like to try a stroopwvafel with tea – gooey caramel sounds yummy. I am sure you can find them somewhere in Australia
LikeLike
Mm! Every time I go home to the USA, half my bag is filled with stroopwafels!! Good luck on your hunt, they have to exist somewhere in AU!
LikeLike
MUST….HAVE…STROOPWAFEL…! (beautiful photos)
LikeLike
wow. these pics are really stunning. great post.
LikeLike
Thank you! x
LikeLike
Oh how I love stroopwafels! Have you tried biscoff/biscoff spread?
LikeLike
Noo, but it sounds close enough to the word ‘biscuit’ that you have my attention! Where abouts do you find it? x
LikeLike
I think they’re getting popular enough that you can find them at most grocery or higher end grocery stores. When I was living in Chicago, I even found them at CVS! They’re basically a speculoos cookie, and the spread is literally crushed up cookies like a peanut butter but a thousand times better. Let me know if you have trouble finding- I’m sure they’re online too!
LikeLike
OK. I am on a mission to find this little jar of heaven, thank you! x
LikeLike
Good luck! Let me know when you find it x L
LikeLike
All of them for sure! They all look delish!
LikeLike
You can get them in Australia (earlier comment) – you have to look for them though (in supermarkets). They are not big like those other waffles (which I also like, whether Belgian – gaufre, I think, or American style) – I love them all!!! Thank you…and it was great to see that entire evening out – almost as if we were all there with you. been to the Netherlands many times – always a great place to go, winter or summer. Or spring or autumn for that matter.
LikeLike
The first time I saw a stroopwaffel it was balanced carefuly on top of a teacup. This clever trick was not to save plates but to melt the syrup and provide the ultimate treat of a sticky gooey warm soft concoction that blends well with the drink. The circumference of the stroopwaffel fits most cups perfectly with a slight overlap to prevent it falling in – perfect or what!
LikeLike
I love stroopwafels! You can buy them in England in Sainsbury’s, in big and mini varieties. My favourite way to eat them is crumbled into hot porridge instead of honey or sugar. Stroopwafel porridge tastes amazing! Thank you for these gorgeous photos and the other recipe ideas :)
LikeLike
I LOVE stroopwafels! However, I’ve never gotten as inventive and creative with them as you! You’ve given me some deliciously naughty ideas – thanks! Oh, and thanks for the like:-)
LikeLike
Yum! Looks so nice!
LikeLike
You made me hungry…
LikeLike
I love this post. I have dutch friends and they eat Hagelslag on bread in the morning. They once made me a fruit curry.
LikeLike
I love sprinkles for breakfast! :)
LikeLike
I think drool hit my keyboard as I read this post. These look delicious and sound fun to say (although I’m not sure I’m even saying it correctly :D)
LikeLike
Amazing .. Really Love it your Sooo …. Original and surely tasty servings of Wafers !!!! Thank You fr visiting my Blog … Will keep in touch !!! Amsterdam it is a Lovely City , wishing to visit in the future !! One of my best Ustomers and friends she is from Holland and we were just talking about her spring visit of family and old friends in Holland , feeling to Reconect with her roots ! Much Love to you and looking to see more inspirational posts !!! ❤❤❤:)
LikeLike
Stroopwafels are lovely. I enjoyed them much while overseas. And thanks for leaving the sweet treat of your “like” today in Shadows.
LikeLike
Love those things! I have a relative from Holland who always brings back stroops to distribute to everyone… So good!
LikeLike
Ha! Ice cream between stroopwafel… sounds grand, never thought about that. Some US comedian talks about a US version like this. A slice of Neopolitan ice cream between two freshly toasted Pop Tarts…. never tried it, a bit scared to try it. Love the blog from another American in Amsterdam.
LikeLike
This is fab! I’ve been living in Amsterdam for two weeks, eating at least one stroopwafel a day – but I had NO IDEA there were so many other ways to eat them. Must. Try. Them. All.
Thanks Ali!
LikeLike
Dipping the minis straight into a big jar of Nutella is the best ever ;)
LikeLike