Poffertjes facts for kids
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Poffertjes served with butter and powdered sugar.
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| Type | Pancake-like |
|---|---|
| Course | Dinner, snack, dessert |
| Place of origin | Netherlands |
| Region or state | Northwestern Europe |
| Serving temperature | Warm or hot |
| Main ingredients | Batter (yeast, flour) |
Poffertjes (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈpɔfərcəs] (
listen)) are a yummy, traditional treat from the Netherlands. They look like tiny, fluffy pancakes. They are made from a special batter that includes yeast and buckwheat flour.
Usually, poffertjes are a sweet snack. People often serve them with powdered sugar and butter. Sometimes, you can add syrup or a creamy drink called advocaat. There is also a savory version that uses Gouda cheese.
History of Poffertjes
Poffertjes have a cool history! They are also sometimes called 'brothers'. This tasty treat started from a Catholic tradition a long time ago.
In churches in the southern part of the Netherlands, people used very dry bread, called sacramental hosts, during a special ceremony. Some brothers in the church started trying out new recipes. They wanted to make the hosts less dry. From these cooking experiments, the poffertjes we enjoy today were created!
The southern Netherlands was mostly Catholic, which was different from the Protestant north. Because the hosts were part of a Catholic tradition, many people think poffertjes were first made in places like Limburg or North Brabant.
How Poffertjes Are Served
Poffertjes are a popular holiday treat in the Netherlands. You can find them at summer festivals and even at Christmas markets. During the winter, temporary stands that sell poffertjes are very popular. They often sell servings of one or two dozen.
The cook usually makes them fresh right in front of you. They are served on a small cardboard or plastic plate. You get a tiny disposable fork, just the right size for these small treats.
Making poffertjes at home is not too hard. But you need a special pan! This pan is usually made of cast iron or copper. It has many small, shallow dips where the poffertjes cook. You can also find these pans in aluminum with a Teflon coating.
Most Dutch supermarkets, like Albert Heijn and Lidl, sell poffertjes that are already made. You just need to heat them up in a microwave. These often come with a small sachet of powdered sugar and a bit of butter. Supermarkets also sell mixes for poffertjes. You just add eggs and milk to these mixes. They usually have a special ingredient like baking powder to make them fluffy.
You can also enjoy poffertjes with other sweet toppings. Some popular choices are syrup, whipped cream, or fresh strawberries.
Poffertjes are also known in Indonesian cuisine. This is because the Netherlands used to have a colony there, called the Dutch East Indies. You can also often find poffertjes at German Christmas markets.
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The special poffertjespan used to make them.
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Poffertjes being prepared in Semarang, Indonesia.
Similar Dishes Around the World
Poffertjes are thought to be connected to the Indonesian dish called kue cubit. They also share some similarities with Indian paniyaram and Chinese egg waffles. However, these dishes are different in many ways. The Danish Æbleskiver pancakes are quite similar to poffertjes.
See also
In Spanish: Poffertjes para niños
