Baking kniepertjes and rolls is a century old tradition in some parts of the Netherlands. This is a real team effort, the whole family comes together to make lots and lots of waffles (the abundance is important!) from a bucket of batter and a mount of dough balls with the help of a waffle iron, and rolling them up around the handles of wooden spoons or leaving them flat.

There are two versions of this cookie, a flat one and a rolled up one. The flat one is made with a dough and symbolizes the old year, which is already unfolded (called “kniepertje” in Dutch). The rolled up one is made with a batter and symbolizes the new year, which still holds its secrets. The recipe below is for the rolled up variety.

In the past, people used a waffle iron that was placed in the fire on the stovetop, but nowadays an electric waffle iron is mostly used (sometimes called ice-cone maker or oublie maker).

Some people like their kniepertjes and New Year’s rolls plain, just like they were eaten in the past. But most people eat them with lots of whipped cream. It is advised to give people a plate or a napkin or something like that when you serve the cream-filled rolls, because they tend to explode when you bite into them, leaving whipped cream and bits of cookie all over your shirt… If there are people out there that know how to eat a cream-filled New Year’s roll elegantly, please tell me how!

Step by Step Guide to Making Nieuwjaarsrolletjes – Dutch New Year’s Rolls

Preparing the Batter:

In a pan, combine butter, sugar, and water. Heat until the butter melts and sugar dissolves.
In a large bowl, add flour. Pour in the hot butter mixture, add lemon zest or vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Mix well.
Beat in the eggs until the batter is smooth.
Let the batter rest for 30 minutes.

Cooking the Waffles:

Preheat the waffle iron and brush lightly with oil.
Scoop 1 tablespoon of batter onto the iron and close it. Cook until pale golden; the time depends on the iron.
Immediately roll the cooked waffle into a cylinder shape, or leave flat if preferred.
Repeat with the remaining batter.

Serving:

Let the waffles or rolls cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They can be stored for about 2 weeks.
Before serving, fill them with sweetened whipped cream.

Dutch New Year’s Rolls – Nieuwjaarsrolletjes

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Author: Ena Scheerstra
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 28–40 1x

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Description

These crisp, sweet and buttery waffles are eaten on New Year’s Day in the Netherlands, plain or filled with whipped cream.

Ingredients

Units

2/3 stick (75g) Butter
1/2 cup (125g) Sugar
2/3 cup (150ml) Water
2 cups (250g) Flour
Grated peel of 1/2 Lemon or 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Pinch of Salt
2 Eggs
Neutral Oil (for waffle iron)
Sweetened Whipped Cream, for serving

Instructions

Preparing the Batter:
- In a pan, combine butter, sugar, and water. Heat until the butter melts and sugar dissolves.
- In a large bowl, add flour. Pour in the hot butter mixture, add lemon zest or vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Mix well.
- Beat in the eggs until the batter is smooth.
- Let the batter rest for 30 minutes.
Cooking the Waffles:
- Preheat the waffle iron and brush lightly with oil.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of batter onto the iron and close it. Cook until pale golden; the time depends on the iron.
- Immediately roll the cooked waffle into a cylinder shape, or leave flat if preferred.
- Repeat with the remaining batter.
Serving:
- Let the waffles or rolls cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They can be stored for about 2 weeks.
- Before serving, fill them with sweetened whipped cream.