Traditional Dutch Hagelslag

Hagelslag is a traditional Dutch breakfast, reminiscent of a chocolate sprinkled donut. Simply put, Hagelslag is buttered bread topped with chocolate sprinkles. It is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth, but with less sugar and calories.

This recipe is a bit unique to say the least, consisting of sprinkles and buttered toast. Where in the world does this strange concoction come from you may ask? Well, sprinkles on toast is actually a popular food eaten for breakfast in the Netherlands, and is known to the Dutch as hagelslag. Hagelslag is basically buttered toast (untoasted bread works as well, it's really just a matter of preference) with chocolate sprinkles on top. I'll admit, when I first heard about this breakfast, I thought it sounded a little strange, but of course, I wanted to try it! I mean, who wouldn't want to eat sprinkles on toast? I love bread as much as the next guy, but with sprinkles? Yes, please!

When my husband and I visited our friends in the Netherlands, I was able to try hagelslag for the first time. It was actually really good! They were even kind enough to send us home with a huge box of the chocolate sprinkles, so now I can enjoy the chocolatey breakfast all the time!

The history of hagelslag is actually quite interesting. Although, hagelslag was originally known as white aniseed flavored sprinkles, the hagelslag that is sold today was created when a five-year-old boy contacted the Venz chocolate factory requesting for them to make a chocolate topping for his bread. The company created chocolate sprinkles to satisfy the boys' request in 1936, which have since become a staple in Dutch households.

Chocolate hagelslag must consist of 32% cacao in order to be known as hagelslag. Obviously, if you don't live in the Netherlands you probably won't have access to the real thing. In this case, any chocolate sprinkles will do.

If you ever have a craving for a chocolate donut in the morning, hagelslag can satisfy that early morning sweet tooth with less sugar and calories! What's not to like about that? With just a tablespoon of hagelslag, you can transform your plain old bread into crunchy, chocolatey goodness.

You’ll also love these other breakfast recipes.

• Fluffy Japanese Pancakes
• Strawberry Crepes with Cream Cheese Filling
• Irish Breakfast
• Creme Brulee French Toast
• Hearty Shakshuka with Feta

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