During our stays with Fleur in Amsterdam, she would serve us a very Dutch breakfast speciality: toast topped with chocolate vermicelli! Simple, nostalgic and delicious — it instantly transports you back to childhood.
Hagelslag (literally “hailstorm” in Dutch, referring to the way the sprinkles scatter) is a beloved Dutch tradition. Nearly all Dutch children grow up eating chocolate sprinkles on buttered bread for breakfast. You’ll find shelves dedicated to dozens of varieties in any Dutch supermarket.
Ingredients
- White sandwich bread or brioche
- Good-quality unsalted butter
- Dutch chocolate hagelslag (or chocolate vermicelli/sprinkles — look in the baking aisle)
Instructions
Take a slice of white bread. Spread generously with softened butter. Cover thickly with chocolate sprinkles. That’s it — the start of a very good day!
Smakelijk eten! 🇳🇱🍫 (Bon appétit in Dutch!)
Tip: The Dutch take hagelslag very seriously — there are milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and even fruit varieties. If you can find authentic Dutch hagelslag online or at a specialty store, it’s worth it: the real thing has a better chocolate-to-sugar ratio and a satisfying crunch.