One snack I really like from the Netherlands is speculaas. I took home a box that said “Dutch spiced cookies”. They were traditionally sold around Sinterklaas (December 5) but thankfully they are now sold year round. I bought my supply from Albert Heijn. The wikipedia link mentions how they have images stamped on the front (as you can mostly see below), while the backs are flat.
Dutch speculaas cookies
The cookies above are sadly the last bits of cookie I have left from the rather large box I bought. However, in my opinion the trick to making this snack taste extra good is allowing them to get a bit old. Open up the plastic, and close the box again. Let them get a bit softer with age. It’s also very good with the Dutch pickwick tea!
Just wait until Christmas-time. If you have a Douwe-Egberts cafe near you, they’ll have speculaas cappuccinos, speculaas brownies, speculaas cake, etc. And don’t forget to pick up some Speculoos (Speculaas in paste form – looks like peanut butter, tastes like cookies!)
I do have some speculoos, but it’s… old, unopened, and doesn’t have an expiration date on it. ;p So I am not sure if I should try it at this late a point.