Bossche bol facts for kids
A Bossche bol is a special pastry from the Dutch city of 's-Hertogenbosch. People in its home city sometimes just call it a chocoladebol (which means 'chocolate ball').
Imagine a really big cream puff, about 12 centimeters (or 5 inches) wide. That's bigger than a tennis ball! This pastry is filled with fluffy whipped cream. Then, it's completely covered in a yummy, usually dark, chocolate icing.
How to Enjoy a Bossche Bol
People in the Netherlands often eat Bossche bollen with their coffee or tea. It's more of a treat for a break than a dessert after a big meal.
Traditionally, you eat a Bossche bol with your fingers. This can get a bit messy because of all that chocolate and cream! A good trick to stay clean is to eat it upside down. This way, the firm chocolate coating acts like a plate at the bottom. Some people use a knife and fork, but traditionalists might not agree with that!
The Story of the Bossche Bol
The idea for the Bossche bol started a long time ago, even before the 1900s. A baker named Lambermont in Den Bosch sold a pastry that was similar. It was filled with custard, not whipped cream.
Then, in 1920, a baker named Henri van der Zijde opened his shop in the same street. He created a new version. His pastry had whipped cream inside and was covered with real chocolate. Many people think this was the first true Bossche bol! Later, Lambermont also started selling a chocolate ball like this one.
The name "Bossche bol" became popular only after the pastry was sold outside of 's-Hertogenbosch. Today, the recipe from the Jan de Groot confectionery is often seen as the "real" Bossche bol.
Other Similar Treats
There's a super-sized version of the Bossche bol called a reuzenbol, which means "giant ball." It's twice as big!
Another common Dutch pastry is the Moorkop. It's a bit smaller than a Bossche bol. Instead of a thick chocolate coating, it usually has a chocolate-flavored glaze. Often, a puff of whipped cream is placed on top of a moorkop.
Around the world, there are many other chocolate-covered, cream-filled treats. For example, in Germany, they have something called a Schokokuss. These are much smaller and are usually made in factories. You can often buy them in packs that don't need to be kept in the fridge. Most people can eat a whole Schokokuss in one bite!
The name of the German treat was changed in 2006. It used to have a name that was considered offensive. The manufacturer decided to change it to simply "Buys Kisses" to be more inclusive.
