Just a quick glance at the typical Belgian desserts will tell you that they have perfected the art of confectionery. If you’re wondering what Belgium is famous for, a simple Google search reveals that it’s renowned for its rich chocolate, crispy waffles, savory fries, and refreshing beer. This quintessential combination of treats is why their desserts are so beloved.
Any country that proudly claims waffles and chocolate as its top two icons has certainly mastered the art of creating sweet indulgences. The following list showcases an assortment of traditional Belgian desserts, including decadent chocolates, fluffy waffles, crunchy cookies, flaky turnovers, and creamy ice cream. Whether you’re searching for a delightful dessert to cap off a meal or a delicious treat to start your day, this collection has something to satisfy any sweet craving.
Belgian Waffles
Keen to try your hand at making the ultimate Belgian waffles? It’s no surprise that Belgians have mastered the art of creating these delicious treats, so it’s only fitting that you start with a traditional recipe. To achieve the perfect waffle, you’ll need a Belgian waffle iron – don’t even think about attempting this without one! The extra room allows the batter to rise and fluff up as it should, resulting in crispy yet airy waffles.
The ingredients are straightforward: flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, and salt – no frills or fancy additions here. You can have a batch of these tasty treats ready in just 10 minutes. One of the best things about Belgian waffles is their depth, making them the perfect vessel for your favorite toppings. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and try new combinations – add fresh berries, whipped cream, honey, chocolate chips, or anything else that tickles your fancy!
For me, there’s no better combination than a drizzle of syrup over crumbled crispy bacon.
Belgian Hot Chocolate
Taking a sip of Belgian hot chocolate is like embarking on a rich culinary adventure that elevates the classic hot chocolate experience to new heights. This authentic delight is crafted on the stovetop using milk, two distinct types of solid chocolate pieces, cinnamon, and an subtle pinch of salt, all carefully combined to create a truly unique flavor profile.
You can easily prepare it with either a hand mixer or a whisk, as both tools will effectively help to melt the chocolate into a silky smooth mixture. The key is to continuously whisk or mix until all the chocolate has fully dissolved and the entire blend is consistently creamy and even in texture.
Whether you’re craving hot chocolate on a chilly winter’s day or looking for a decadent treat during the warmer summer months, this recipe offers versatility – serve it piping hot with whipped cream and chocolate curls as toppings, or chill it down and enjoy over ice with a chocolate straw for an indulgent twist.
La Dame Blanche (Belgian Hot Fudge Sundae with Vanilla Ice Cream)
Favored by many Belgians, La dame blanche is a traditional dessert that can be found in almost any restaurant in the country. The simplicity of this dessert lies in its minimal cooking requirements, with only a short amount of time needed to make the hot fudge sauce from scratch. While store-bought hot fudge sauce can be used as a substitute to save time, it lacks the richness and depth of flavor that homemade hot fudge provides.
To make the sauce, you will need sweetened condensed milk, semi-sweet baker’s chocolate, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Combine these ingredients in a saucepan over medium-low heat, warming them until smooth and well combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract before serving over your favorite flavor of ice cream, accompanied by whipped cream and maraschino cherries.
For an added touch of homemade charm, consider making your own vanilla ice cream to pair with this classic dessert.
Apple Turnover (Appleflap)
Flaky puff pastry dough wrapped around tender apple filling, topped with a sweet glaze – it’s no wonder these apple turnovers are a staple in many households during the fall season. But what makes them so special is their versatility; they can be enjoyed at any time of year due to their incredibly quick preparation time, which clocks in at just over half an hour.
While store-bought puff pastry dough can be used as a convenient shortcut, it still yields impressive results and tastes remarkably similar to homemade dough. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: all you need to focus on is crafting the perfect filling and glaze. When it comes to the filling, Granny Smith apples are the clear winner – their unique balance of sweetness and tartness makes them a game-changer.
Meanwhile, the glaze is an effortless combination of vanilla, milk, and powdered sugar that adds the perfect finishing touch. As a delightful bonus, baking these turnovers will fill your kitchen with an enticing aroma of cinnamon and baked apples – a true delight!
Speculoos (Spice Cookies)
Generally speaking, this recipe’s cook time may seem daunting at first, with a total cooking time of over 3 hours. However, it’s essential to note that this prolonged cooking time is primarily due to the batch size required for pumpkin pie crusts. In contrast, making a single batch of speculoos cookies takes less than half an hour. The recipe combines dark brown sugar, flour, and various spices to create a unique flavor profile that blends the characteristics of shortbread and sugar cookies.
One of the advantages of this recipe is its ease of preparation and the dough’s flexibility when using cookie cutters, allowing for creative freedom in terms of shapes and designs. This aspect makes it an enjoyable experience, especially with young children around, as they can participate in rolling out the dough and selecting their favorite cookie cutters.
Belgian Pancakes
Observing the culinary landscape of Belgium reveals a delightful surprise – their chefs are masters at crafting not only delectable waffles but also scrumptious pancakes. While they may not resemble the thick, fluffy American-style pancakes we’re familiar with, these Belgian pancakes boast a unique charm. Thin and delicate in texture, they share more kinship with crepes than traditional pancakes, yet their rich, buttery flavor profiles unmistakably scream ‘pancake.
‘ I’ve coined my own term for them – ‘pancrepes’ – but the name doesn’t quite stick. Instead, these slender masterpieces shine when smothered in an assortment of fresh berries and a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Oliebollen (Doughnuts)
When it comes to indulging in sweet treats, few options can match the delight of oliebollen. I must admit that I’m particularly fond of the name, which rolls off the tongue with ease. While they’re commonly referred to as Belgian doughnuts, these fried treats are actually more akin to traditional New Orleans beignets than their European cousins. What sets them apart from other types of doughnuts is their unique composition.
Unlike traditional doughnuts, oliebollen aren’t just made from sugar, yeast, and flour, but also feature a blend of Granny Smith apples, raisins, and currants in the batter. This addition not only adds a fruity twist to the flavor profile but also provides a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the powdered sugar coating. It’s this perfect balance that makes them so irresistible. They’re truly delicious.
Cinnamon Belgian Waffles
Recognizing the diversity of waffle-making traditions in any country is essential, especially one renowned for its waffle heritage. These waffles boast a delightful combination of textures, being as fluffy, light, airy, crispy, and tender as their Belgian counterparts. However, they set themselves apart with the addition of cinnamon, apples, brown sugar, and nutmeg to the batter, resulting in an intriguing flavor profile that’s both familiar and innovative.
The presence of apples and cinnamon is particularly pronounced for me, introducing a taste experience that we often don’t associate with waffles. Notably, the recipe offers guidance on incorporating a caramelized apple topping into the waffles, as well as crafting homemade bourbon maple syrup to complement them. While I appreciate the complexity of caramelized apples, my preference leans towards good old-fashioned maple syrup over its bourbon counterpart.
Liège Waffles
Zest for the finer things in life often leads to a deeper appreciation for nuances between seemingly similar culinary delights. When Americans indulge in Belgian-style waffles, it’s likely that they’re actually enjoying what Belgians refer to as Brussels waffles, whereas the Liège waffle is considered superior by many native Belgians. I personally concur with this sentiment.
The defining characteristic of Liège waffles lies in their thicker, almost brioche-like dough, which surpasses that of Brussels waffles. Another notable difference is the inclusion of pearl sugar, adding a distinct flavor and texture to each bite. Consequently, these waffles possess a richer color, more profound flavors, and an overall delightful quality. Although they can be paired with various toppings, Liège waffles are truly remarkable even without them.
What’s more, their unique properties allow them to retain their appeal even after cooling down, a trait that Brussels (Belgian) waffles often lack.
Strawberries and Whipped Cream
Just as many families have their go-to desserts, my family has been enjoying this scrumptious treat for years without realizing its popularity in Belgium. We adore it due to its incredible taste, and the best part is that I can whip it up in just 15 minutes! It’s essentially a hassle-free parfait alternative. To prepare it, you simply need to combine your strawberries with sugar.
Allow them to sit in the sugar for at least 15 minutes, allowing the sugar to dissolve into them, resulting in sweet and sugary flavors with every bite. Subsequently, make your cream by mixing together whipped cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Once that’s done, it’s a matter of separating and layering your strawberries and cream in individual cups. This particular recipe yields enough for six servings of strawberries and cream. Feel free to double the recipe if you need more.
You should end up with sufficient ingredients for two layers of strawberries and two layers of cream. To add an extra touch, I like to drizzle a little honey or maple syrup into mine before refrigerating them for about an hour prior to serving.
Belgian Chocolate Waffles
Zeroing out other sweet treats, it’s only fitting to end this list with Belgian waffles as well. These indulgent Belgian waffles are a chocolate lover’s dream come true, and can be whipped up in about 30 minutes. The unique twist to making these waffles is adding a half-cup of cocoa powder and a half-cup of coffee to the mix. For those who aren’t fond of the coffee flavor, you can simply use more milk instead.
To prepare this recipe, start by combining the baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Next, beat your eggs and mix them with the milk, coffee (or substitute), vanilla extract, and vegetable oil in another bowl. Once both mixtures are ready, combine them and pour the entire batter into the waffle iron. After 20 minutes, these delectable waffles should be ready to devour.
